I worked here for over a decade, and it’s disappointing to say that things never truly improved. They just got worse in different ways. I stayed as long as I did because I cared deeply about the work, the people I worked alongside, and the potential this company once had. But over time, it became clear that meaningful change was never going to happen.
Leadership operates in a closed loop. Feedback from experienced managers and staff is routinely ignored, and most decisions come from the same few individuals at the top. These decisions are often rushed, poorly planned, and disconnected from what’s actually happening on the ground. As someone hired for my expertise, it was incredibly frustrating to be sidelined. It became normal to be brought in only after things had gone wrong due to uninformed choices, just to help clean up the mess. It was a cycle of preventable problems and constant backtracking.
Mid-level leadership has very little influence. Trying to do your job with professionalism and integrity often led to conflict. Instead of being supported for doing the right thing, you were treated like a problem for pointing out obvious issues.
On the production floor, the incentive system encourages speed over safety or quality. Cutting corners is common, and serious safety concerns are brushed aside. Overtime isn’t just frequent—it’s expected. You don’t really get a choice. The attitude seems to be that faster work means better pay, but in an environment where someone can easily lose a hand doing routine tasks, that kind of approach is reckless.
The company culture is hard to explain. A lot of it centers around keeping one of the owners happy. Employees are often told to withhold or alter information before it gets to him, all in the name of “managing up.” Newsletters regularly highlight personal stories about him, and there were even times when his face was printed on food and passed out to staff. It wasn’t lighthearted or fun—it was uncomfortable.
After more than ten years, I didn’t leave because I wanted to. I left because I had to. If you’re a skilled, motivated professional looking for a place to grow, contribute meaningfully, and be respected for your work, this isn’t the place. You won’t be allowed to do the job you were hired to do. I really do hope they change, but I wouldn’t count on it. Also I’ve never seen a company play favorites like this one. If you aren’t sucking up every day don’t expect a real raise at any point in time.
