News

2024 in Review: Living the Championship Dream

In 1999, with the invaluable input of all its Team Members, Team 1 Plastics developed its Championship Dream. This is more than a mission or vision statement—it encapsulates the essence of our business philosophy, focusing on customers and Team Members. These are not just words on paper but the principles that guide our daily operations. Our success is rooted in the diligent adherence to the following principles:

Customer Service Excellence  –  Team Member Success  –  Positive Community Member  –  Freedom to Succeed

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Team 1 Plastics aspires to work with leading-edge companies that value long-term partnerships. We strive for every customer to experience the highest level of service; aiming to be “Your #1 Team in Customer Satisfaction.”

Team 1 sends out an Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey in Q1 of each year to gather valuable feedback and measure our performance during the previous year. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is determined by one question on the survey, asking if customers would recommend Team 1 to a friend or colleague. In 2024, we achieved our highest-ever NPS of 90 on our Customer Satisfaction Survey, underscoring our commitment to exceptional customer service. According to Survey Monkey, the NPS measures customer loyalty and “represents the percentage of your customers who are promoters of your company or brand.”

TEAM MEMBER SUCCESS

Building an exceptional company hinges on building exceptional teams with exceptional people. We seek honest individuals, who demonstrate integrity, are eager to learn, contribute to a safe work environment, and value a diverse workforce. Additonally, we emphasize the importance of educating our Team Members on the financial performance of Team 1 and sharing in our success.

Below are highlights and a picture slideshow of the many ways we fostered Team Member Success in 2024.

• Service Anniversaries: Celebrated service anniversaries for 11 Team Members: each milestone a testament to their loyalty and commitment.
• 30 Years of Service: Honored the 30-year career of Tammy Dowding, whose journey with us has been nothing short of inspiring. Read More
• Retirements: Paid tribute to the retirements of Craig Clem and Wanda Manthei, two pillars of our Team who have left an indelible mark.
• Summer Interns: Welcomed a dynamic pair of interns, bringing fresh perspectives and boundless energy. Read More
• Continued Education: Promoted continued education with training for our Maintenance Team, equipping them with cutting-edge skills. Read More
• Wellness Program: Launched a new wellness program, Vigoroom, to support Team Members’ physical and mental well-being. Read More
• Best Places to Work: Ranked as one of Plastics News “Best Places to Work” for the 10th time, achieving our highest ranking yet at #3 processor Read More
• Podcast Feature: Shared insights and leadership stories on the podcast “Leading the Way: Building a Safer, Valued, and United Workforce,” featuring our co-owners Craig Carrel and Gary Grigowski. Listen to Podcast
• Team Events: Fostered camaraderie and Team spirit with a vibrant Summer Picnic at Binder Park Zoo.
• Safety Milestone: Reached a significant milestone of 2500 safety days with no lost time accidents on September 26, highlighting our dedication to a safe work environment.
• Team Morale Boosters: Boosted Team morale with spirited events, including a Halloween Costume Contest, Monthly Theme Days, and festive holiday activities like Secret Santa and a decorating contest.

POSITIVE COMMUNITY MEMBER

Exceptional people benefit from supportive family environments and strong communities. We believe it is our obligation to positively influence our Team Members’ families and communities. Throughout 2024, we actively participated in various community events and initiatives, reinforcing our commitment to making a positive impact. For instance, we contributed to Albion’s Annual Father & Son Cookout, supported local charities through our Holiday Giving initiatives, and sponsored the Albion Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing. Additionally, we were proud to contribute to the Kid’s ‘N’ Stuff Spring Break Program and the Festival of the Forks Cruise-in Car Show, demonstrating our dedication to being a responsible and positive community member.

FREEDOM TO SUCCEED

At Team 1 Plastics, we believe in the American Free Enterprise System, which rewards sustainable profits to companies that continuously provide valued products in the marketplace. By committing to these ideals, we ensure our long-term profitability and success. In 2024, we continued to invest in technology and innovation, demonstrating our commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry. We invested in technology to support growth in assembly, and developed new parts with new customers, showcasing our dedication to innovation. Additionally, we introduced a new 3D printer and 3D scanner in our Metrology Lab, enhancing our quality control capabilities.

Read article: “Growth in Assembly at Team 1 Plastics”
Read article: “Setting New Standards: Team 1 Plastics’ Latest Injection Molding Innovation”

A NOTE FROM OUR CO-OWNERS

“2024 was a record year in a lot of ways with both our sales and profits at record highs. We won Best Places to Work again with our highest ranking. We continued to have a safe environment and are so grateful for the Team and all their hard work.” – Craig Carrel and Gary Grigowski, President and Vice President of Team 1 Plastics

As we reflect on the milestones achieved in 2024, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, Team Members, and community partners for their unwavering support. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence and reach new heights in the coming year. Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited about several upcoming initiatives, including a new mural project, the completion of our Metrology Lab expansion, and anticipating our final ranking for our 11th “Best Places to Work” title.

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