Pros
For most of my tenure, leadership was transparent, accessible, and genuinely engaged. You could clearly see decision-making at the top and understand the “why” behind changes. Leadership listened and had the authority to make meaningful adjustments that supported the team. The culture was unified and growth-oriented. We developed real skills, collaborated well across teams, and took pride in our work. There was a strong sense of purpose and shared momentum. I genuinely enjoyed coming to work — there was energy, gratitude, and ownership across the floor. Management during those years was exceptional. I felt respected, supported, and empowered in my role. It was a place where I felt I could build a long-term career. The schedule (Monday–Friday, 8–5:02), major holidays off, and strong insurance benefits were also significant positives. Most importantly, I worked with incredible people. The relationships built there were meaningful, and during its best years, I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything.
Cons
PermaPlate was acquired by Spectrum in 2025, and at the time we were told that nothing would change and that the acquisition was based on our strong customer service and performance. Over the following year, however, the culture shifted significantly. What was once a team-oriented, relationship-driven environment began to feel fear-based and heavily performance-pressured. There was a noticeable move away from the “family company” atmosphere many of us valued. Communication often centered around job market instability and gratitude rather than growth and collaboration. Morale declined, and cross-functional alignment suffered as teams became more defensive and siloed. That said, I am grateful for the nearly six years I spent there. I grew tremendously, developed leadership skills, and built meaningful relationships. PermaPlate played a major role in my professional development, and for that I’m thankful. I just wish the post-acquisition transition had preserved more of what originally made the company special.