The Indiana Chamber of Commerce recognized Lensing as a Top 20 Best Places to Work in Indiana among medium-sized companies. We finished 16^th among Hoosier companies with 75 to 249 employees.

While we first opened our doors in 1948, this was our first application for the Best Places to Work in Indiana program, resulting in a top 20 finish. The rankings are based on the companies’ applications and thorough, anonymous employee surveys administered by a third party.

Our leadership team credits this designation to the past and current talent on the team and a long history of building a workplace where team members feel supported and valued. This approach to do right by team members and customers showed in the survey results.

“We were excited to see the high marks from the employee survey. We spend a lot of time and energy evaluating and improving the employee experience, and this was validation that our team agrees we’re moving in the right direction,” says Susie Traylor, human resources manager.

Lensing employees stop at Evansville’s riverfront for a photo while riding e-bikes, which are available and free to use for employees to get some exercise on their breaks and lunches.

The company received 90% or higher satisfaction scores about the quality of the core employee experience, benefits, work-life balance, employees’ sentiments toward their roles, workplace communication and culture, diversity and inclusion and relationships between employees and managers.

Some highlights from the employee survey include:

• 98% of employees surveyed agree they’re treated fairly by their manager and they feel they can trust what their manager communicates to them.
• 98% of employees surveyed intend to remain with Lensing for the foreseeable future and would endorse the organization as an employer.
• 98% agree discrimination is not tolerated in this organization.
• 98% of employees surveyed believe in our organization’s leadership, our leadership’s commitment to our company values and the sensibility of our long-term plans.
• 99% of employees surveyed agreed our organization is committed to producing high-quality products and services.
• 99% of employees surveyed are satisfied with the number of hours they work each week.
• 100% of employees surveyed agreed they feel part of a team with a common purpose and they understand how their work impacts our organization’s success.

Employees were invited to submit open feedback about their experience at Lensing.

• Overall, this organization treats people with respect and dignity. I have never felt like a number.
• The company has always been willing to work with anyone as they move through life’s ups and downs. I have seen that through two generations of managers for more than 30 years.
• Company success is dependent on the success of each employee, and our ownership is aware of this. They strive to make each of successful in our own way.
• From top to bottom, the people that work for Lensing are truly a joy to work with and for. I feel connected to all the employees here, even employees from different departments.
• People like working here because – while it can be challenging – management tries to give you the tools to success and don’t micromanage. They have put together a great team of people who have different strengths that results in a fun and efficient workforce.

Lensing employees show off their finds during the company’s annual plant sharing event, Lensing Plant-a-Palooza.

At Lensing, we pride ourselves in doing things a little differently compared to the average local business.

Our leadership bridges connections between current and retired team members to maintain camaraderie among generations of employees. Retirees are invited to multiple employee events throughout the year and receive the company’s monthly employee newsletter. The connection to the company doesn’t stop when team members transition to retirement.

While respecting the company’s past is engrained in our culture, we’re forward thinking when building upon our heritage of being a quality employer in Evansville.

In the last five years, we’ve made the following changes.

• Introduced a wellness clinic for all full-time and part-time employees to access free primary care;
• Added on-site solar power arrays to three of its four buildings in Evansville;
• Launched an e-bike program, allowing employees to ride electric bikes on their breaks or lunch for free;
• Built an electric vehicle charging station for team members with EVs to use for free;
• Provided Dashlane password security services to employees and their families for free;
• Introduced a scholarship program to help the dependents of Lensing employees cover some of the costs of college or trade school;
• Established a company-wide informative and fun wellness program composed of employees from all departments to deliver engaging initiatives focused on five key pillars: physical, nutritional, environmental, mental and community well-being.
• Strengthened its commitment to workplace safety through an active Safety Committee, quarterly safety drills, annual Safety Weeks and a revamped Emergency Action Plan designed to keep team members informed, prepared and protected.
• Earned Certified Contractor Status through Indiana OSHA and Coalition for Construction Safety after implementing changes to our safety program;
• Increased the company’s 401(k) match, which is provided in addition to annual profit sharing bonuses; and
• Revamped the company’s time-off policies to better accommodate the demands of life outside of work.

United Way’s Amy Mangold presents the Spirit of Community Award to Lensing Building Specialties for our team’s efforts to raise funds for United Way and volunteer for the organization in various capacities.

While finishing in the Top 20 is a great honor for our us, our leadership team is fast at work identifying ways to take the employee experience to the next level based on the survey results.

“We’re a pretty competitive team at Lensing,” said Joe Theby, company president. “Our goal is to use the survey results to improve the areas where our team members are calling on us to do more, reapply for next year’s award and try to finish closer toward the top of the list.”