At The Gerken Companies, we genuinely care about the well-being of our team members. We have cultivated a vibrant culture that prioritizes safety and health while fostering personal growth and development. We firmly believe that a safe workplace is essential for boosting productivity and morale, and that conviction drives us to offer training programs that meet the standards of MSHA and OSHA. Those programs equip our team members with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate their work environments confidently.

Emphasizing open communication to reinforce our safety protocols and offering exciting incentive programs that reward safe work habits helps unite us in our shared commitment to safety. Our strict drug-free workplace policy further underscores our dedication to promoting a healthy work environment.

But that’s just the beginning. We also focus on holistic health and wellness through a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our team’s overall well-being. We are proud to partner with local YMCA chapters, providing our employees and their families with affordable access to fitness facilities, exercise classes, and childcare services.

Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) exemplifies our commitment to employee well-being, offering confidential support for both personal and work-related challenges. We offer a range of insurance options tailored to job classifications, including medical, dental, and financial planning resources, ensuring that everyone has the support they need to thrive.

At Gerken, we are passionate about fostering both professional and personal growth. We strive to create an environment where our team members feel encouraged to develop their skills and advance their careers. We invest in dynamic professional development opportunities and transform our annual training sessions into engaging conferences, ensuring that each individual has the resources to excel. The structure of our HR department enhances those experiences, promoting trust and respect throughout the workforce.

In summary, The Gerken Companies embodies a holistic approach to team member well-being by integrating safety, health, and personal growth. Our initiatives reflect our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed both personally and professionally.

At The Gerken Companies, we sincerely believe that we “do more than work in the communities we serve; we live here, too.” That conviction drives us to engage in meaningful initiatives that benefit both our business and the communities we are proud to call home.

Empowering the Next Generation

A cornerstone of our community support is education and workforce development. We recognize that the future of our industry lies in nurturing young talent, and we work to inspire and prepare the next generation of workers in our field.

We actively collaborate with local schools, hosting career days in elementary schools and offering high school courses that deepen students’ understanding of careers in construction. Our student tours provide hands-on experiences and showcase our asphalt plants, stone quarries, and ready-mix facilities. Institutions like Vantage Career Center, Apollo Career Center, and Wauseon High School frequently visit us to explore potential career paths.

Moreover, we participate in career fairs such as “Build My Future” and “JA Inspire,” offering students the chance to engage directly with industry professionals. Our partnerships with local universities, including the University of Toledo, further strengthen this initiative, helping to boost enrollment and support engineering programs.

Collaborating with Community Organizations

Community is at the heart of what we do. The Gerken Companies is proud to support various local organizations and initiatives. Our contributions range from specific projects, from the renovation of Napoleon’s Glenwood Park baseball field to revitalizing Toledo’s Historic South End. We also support parks and recreational facilities, such as the Hopfinger Zimmerman Memorial Park and Dog Park.

Philanthropy is a key aspect of our engagement. We have partnered with organizations such as Henry County Hospital and 4-H, providing crucial support to initiatives that make a positive impact on our community. Furthermore, our employees actively volunteer for local projects and participate in events organized by United Way, embodying the true spirit of giving back.

Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

As we commit to community support, we also recognize our responsibility toward the environment. The Gerken Companies prioritizes environmental sustainability and stewardship in all our initiatives. We promote environmental awareness through community involvement and make strides in sustainable practices.

Our collaboration with the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s “The Road Forward” initiative underscores our dedication to advancing sustainability in the asphalt industry. Our goal is ambitious: to help achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We believe that by leading with environmentally conscious practices, we can build a better future for our communities and the planet.

Celebrating Local Achievements

Community engagement also means recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of our youth. We take pride in sponsoring the “Rock-Solid Performance of the Week” award, which honors high school football and basketball teams that exemplify hard work and dedication. Acknowledging these achievements fosters a sense of pride and motivation among young athletes.

In conclusion, The Gerken Companies stands firmly committed to supporting and enriching our communities through various initiatives. By investing in education, collaborating with local organizations, prioritizing environmental stewardship, and celebrating local achievements, we strive to create a lasting positive impact. We are not just part of our communities; we are their advocates and friends, dedicated to making them better places for all.

At The Gerken Companies, our commitment to integrity is essential to our success. Since our inception, we have continuously worked to earn the trust of our customers while enhancing infrastructure throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. In today’s business environment, where profits often take precedence over principles, we prioritize integrity. For us, integrity is not just a buzzword; it is the foundation upon which we have built our legacy.

Integrity means doing the right thing, even when faced with challenges. It involves standing by our commitments and being truthful in all our dealings. As we navigate the complexities of the business world, we recognize that even small decisions can have lasting impacts. Choosing to act with integrity may occasionally delay our growth or seem counterintuitive. However, we believe that true success is measured not just in profits but also in the trust and respect we cultivate with our customers.

Our dedicated workforce of more than 600 individuals embodies our commitment to quality construction and responsive customer service. Every product we offer stands as a testament to our dedication to quality and craftsmanship. When we make promises about our products, we back them up with unwavering commitment, understanding that our reputation is on the line—and we will not compromise it for short-term gain.

Integrity also encompasses relationships. It fosters trust among customers, partners, and employees. By maintaining transparency and honesty in our communications, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This approach leads to stronger partnerships, enhanced collaboration, and ultimately, a more successful business.

In a world where words can often be cheap, we take great pride in honoring our promises. If we commit to a project or a timeline, we deliver results that our clients can rely on. Our long-standing relationships bear testament to our unwavering dedication to integrity. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain steadfast in our commitment. In every decision, big or small, we prioritize doing what is right over what is easy. By adhering to our core value of integrity, we not only build a strong foundation for our company’s future but also contribute positively to the business community.

After all, integrity is not just a value; it is our way of life at The Gerken Companies.

Construction sites are bustling hubs of activity, where hard work and dedication meet the demands of deadlines and project completions. However, behind the scenes of every successful project lies the critical importance of safety. The Gerken Companies believes that safety is not just a box to check; it’s a foundational principle that guides our operations.

At Gerken, we treat our employees like family. Their safety is our top priority because, ultimately, we all want to go home to our loved ones at the end of the day. Our commitment to safety transcends mere compliance with industry regulations; it’s a pledge to foster an environment where every worker feels secure and valued.

Continuous Improvement in Safety Programs

Safety is not a static concept; it evolves with industry standards and practices. We continually strive to enhance our safety programs to ensure they meet and exceed expectations. Our Human Resources and Safety managers are dedicated to monitoring and enforcing our safety protocols, ensuring they are effective and up to date. That proactive approach is vital for maintaining safe working conditions for everyone involved in our projects.

Initiatives reflecting our commitment to safety include:

• Drug-Free Workplace: We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for substance abuse, ensuring our teams are alert and focused.
• Mandatory MSHA Training: Regular training keeps our workers informed about safety practices in mining and construction.
• OSHA Training Standards Compliance: We adhere strictly to Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, ensuring we meet all safety regulations.
• Weekly “Toolbox Talks”: We gather our crews to discuss safety protocols and share experiences, reinforcing a culture of vigilance.
• Collaboration with Collective Bargaining Representatives: We work together to enhance safety training and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Protecting Our Workers and the Community

The stakes are high in the construction industry. We design our safety measures to prevent injuries and fatalities while also preserving livelihoods. Accidents can lead to long recovery times, disabilities, and significant financial strain on workers and their families. By prioritizing safety, we aim to mitigate these risks, ultimately promoting improved morale and productivity on the job.

Moreover, safety in construction isn’t just about protecting our workers; it extends to the public and road users. Unsafe construction practices can result in hazardous road conditions, leading to accidents. By implementing effective safety strategies, we can reduce disruptions that affect traffic and ensure the essential infrastructure we build and maintain remains safe and efficient for everyone.

A Call for Continuous Feedback

Safety is a shared responsibility. Living our safety motto requires a commitment from everyone on our team. Our Safety Suggestion Box is a platform for all team members to voice concerns, suggest improvements, and report safety issues. We encourage open communication and promptly addressing any issues on-site to maintain our high safety standards.

At The Gerken Companies, safety is more than just a protocol; it’s a culture. By prioritizing safety, we foster not only a productive and efficient environment but also a workplace where everyone feels protected, valued, and part of a family that genuinely cares. Together, let’s continue to make safety our top priority.

No where is that principle better understood than at Kuhlman Corporation. By embracing the concept of “shared success,” Kuhlman has long exemplified how collaboration and mutual growth create an environment where customers, employees, and suppliers can all thrive.

Kuhlman Corporation promoted the value of “shared success” long before the organization became part of The Gerken Companies. They prioritized creating win-win situations by providing excellent service, quality products, and a supportive work environment, ultimately leading to mutual growth and prosperity for everyone involved. The belief that success is a collective journey where everyone has a stake is now part of Gerken’s core values.

What is Shared Success?

At its core, shared success means striving for outcomes that benefit all parties involved—clients, team members, and stakeholders alike. It reflects an atmosphere centered on cooperation rather than competition. Shared success is beneficial to business results and fosters a positive workplace culture.

The idea of shared success aligns closely with the win-win framework articulated by Stephen Covey in his popular book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey emphasized that there’s more than enough success to go around and that achieving your goals need not come at the expense of someone else meeting theirs. Instead, we can work together towards shared wins, ensuring all parties are pleased.

Fostering a culture of shared success creates a positive work environment for employees while enhancing customer service. Team members become motivated to collaborate openly and leverage each other’s strengths to solve problems more effectively.

For customers, a shared success culture translates into exceptional service and high-quality work. When the focus shifts from individual success to collective achievement, how we interact with clients changes significantly. Their needs become our priorities, and we strive to create solutions that benefit them in the long run.

Shared success extends beyond the walls of The Gerken Companies. By cultivating mutually beneficial relationships, we can positively impact our communities. By engaging with local initiatives and supporting community growth, Gerken reinforces its values, fosters goodwill, and ultimately benefits everyone.

A Guiding Principle

With an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, Kuhlman Corporation has flourished by tying the company’s success to that of its clients. By incorporating shared success as one of our core values, The Gerken Company helps customers achieve their project goals by delivering high-quality construction materials and reliable service. That customer-centric approach strengthens relationships and makes success a shared outcome.

By striving to create a positive work environment, Gerken builds loyalty and inspires dedication among its workforce. Employees who feel valued and empowered are likelier to contribute their best efforts, driving the company—and ultimately our customers—toward greater achievements.

Sharing our success by giving back is a critical component of Gerken’s mission. As a company deeply committed to contributing to the communities in which it operates, we prioritize doing the right thing and setting a standard in the industry.

In Conclusion

In a fiercely competitive world, Gerken strives to demonstrate how prioritizing shared success can create meaningful partnerships and sustainable growth. By focusing on customer satisfaction, empowering employees, and giving back to the community, we embody a win-win approach through which everyone stands to gain.

The Road Forward offers an ambitious goal for the asphalt pavement industry: reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The NAPA endeavor focuses on engaging, educating, and empowering our country’s asphalt community to reduce carbon emissions over the next several decades.

The Road Forward specifies four objectives that represent actions the asphalt pavement industry is undertaking.

1. Achieve net zero carbon emissions during asphalt production and construction by 2050.
2. Partner with customers to reduce emissions through pavement quality, durability, longevity, and efficiency standards by 2050.
3. Develop a net zero materials supply chain by 2050.
4. Transition to electricity from renewable energy providers to support net zero carbon electricity generation by 2050 and reduce electrical intensities.

Partners in The Road Forward are NAPA member companies that actively support climate stewardship through financial contributions, leadership, and expertise.

NAPA’s 21-member Climate Stewardship Task Force developed The Road Forward after researching the asphalt industry’s role in sustainability. With countries and industries pledging to attain net zero emissions, NAPA joined the challenge. Susan Witt, Civil Engineer at Gerken, served on NAPA’s task force.

Through its partnership with The Road Forward, Gerken is helping pave the way for implementing reduced carbon emissions solutions. We’re spurring change and protecting the environment by setting an example for other asphalt pavement companies.

“We are grateful to The Gerken Companies for their role in developing and supporting The Road Forward,” remarked NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland. “Gerken’s work has earned numerous Quality in Construction Awards and Diamond Achievement Sustainable Commendations, demonstrating that sustainability and performance go hand in hand.”

To learn more about The Road Forward, visit the NAPA website at asphaltpavement.org/climate. Read the news release here.

Earth Day is a good time to highlight some of Gerken’s environmental efforts. In addition to powering our main office in Napoleon with solar energy, we have also established solar fields to reduce electricity usage at our aggregate production facilities in Waldron and Addison, Michigan.

Our Hillsdale Pit in Waldron produces 178 kilowatts of solar energy to help power that facility. A more extensive solar array at our Round Lake West Pit in Addison (shown in photos) creates 1.25 megawatts of solar energy for the public grid.

We will begin developing a 300-kilowatt solar array at our quarry in West Millgrove, Ohio, this June.

As a renewable and sustainable power source, solar energy is helping Gerken reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lessen air and water pollution, and lower everyone’s electricity costs. We think that’s important. Because at Gerken, we do more than work in the communities our companies serve; we live here, too. Environmental awareness is part of community support—one of our core values.