by Debra Collins

Created on: January 06, 2007   Last Updated: October 29, 2011

Looking into the top United States based companies and reading the little blurbs they publish about themselves plus some of what the media reports, I decided to probe a bit further into the subject. Initially I wanted to find out the companies and what makes them successful. I found the job or product behind the company name is of the most importance but only secondary to the employees that stand behind the product.

There were glorious accounts reported by CNN Fortune 500, CNN Chicago, CNN Washington, all attesting to reasons employees of these top companies of the United States celebrate longevity and pride in the work.

Genentech, a Bio tech leader in cancer research, is ranked #1 over all and also #1 in mid size companies. A good percentage of the employees are stockholders and they are offered an on-site day care.

The #2 ranked company is a privately owned family chain of Food Markets called Wegmans. Now this is a large size company ranked #1 for this category. They are based out of Rochester, NY. All 102 stores report the family structure of this company.

From San Antonio, TX we find a large Petroleum Refining Company falling in at #3 by the name of Valeno Energy. In the large size company category it takes the #2 position. In December of 2006 the private research company of Seven Summits, released it's newsbite covering a number of stocks and Valeno Energy was one mentioned as a key stock. This company did some wonderful humanitarian efforts in the wake of the devastation from Katrina and Rita. Supplies, money, housing - what was needed, was there.

Renowned health care is given by the employees of the #4 place holder, Griffin Hospital of Derby, CT. This hospital ranks #1 in small health care companies. It is reported that hundreds of applications are received from people wanting to work there because of its' reputation for patient care.

The final slot, #5 is held by W.L. Gore. This is a mid size High Tech Company out of Newark, DE. The structure of this company, as reported by one employee, "It just works." Employer/employee relations are top notch.

What I found as I looked into these companies and countless companies with similar rankings is companies that extend themselves out past the concurrence tables and offices. One company involves the employees in the interview process for new hires and another has the managing staff down on the floor working and knowing the responsibilities of all their employees.

In the months of November and December of 2004, AARP magazine published a list of United States companies that were the best for persons over the age of 50. I was intrigued as to which companies ranked here and why.

#1 Charles Stark Draper Laboratories, inc an engineering research
company has 42% of their workforce over 50 years old.

#2 Deere and Company out of Moline, Ill. is an agricultural
and Forestry Equipment company with 35% over 50.

#3 Scripps Health, a California Health Care Industry with 28%
over 50.

#4 Principle Financial Group based in Des Moines, IA. has a
workforce over 50 at 17%.

#5 Pitney Bowes, inc a mail and document service out of Stamford, CT has 23% of their employees over the age of 50.

A good benefit package, incentives, bonuses, a decent work environment and a product or service to be proud to stand behind places these companies and many more just like them, under "Made In America" and proud of it.

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