Local organizations named Employers of Excellence

12 winners from Dakota and Scott counties

The Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board has recognized 12 area organizations as Employers of Excellence for their employee retention, compensation and training practices. The Workforce Development Board wanted to recognize some of the best employers in Dakota and Scott counties and provide vital information to companies about the practices they use to attract and retain employees. With the help of local sponsors, the board commissioned a study and asked area employers to participate.

Each participant completed a 40-question survey that allowed their employment practices to be analyzed by a consulting firm. Every organization participating in the survey received a 20-page report detailing the information on their company and the results of the survey. Employers were evaluated on numerous metrics.

Recipients were recognized at the Employers of Excellence Event on August 15^th.   Event sponsors included Dakota County Community Development Agency, Scott County Community Development Agency, Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College.

Small Employer (under 75 employees)

• Carlson Capital Management, Hastings
• Custom Drapery and Blinds by Esch, LLC, Burnsville
• Hydra-Flex, Inc., Savage
• Stonebrooke Engineering, Burnsville

Mid-Size Employer (75–200 employees)

• Apothecary Products, LLC, Burnsville
• Dakota Electric Association, Farmington
• Firefly Credit Union, Burnsville
• The Smead Manufacturing Company, Hastings

Large Employer (over 200 employees)

• Collins Aerospace, Burnsville
• Entrust Datacard, Shakopee
• Prime Therapeutics, Eagan
• Wings Financial Credit Union, Apple Valley

Pictured above is (left) Kristine Clausen, Director of Human Resources for the company and Mark Lofthus, past chairperson of the workforce board.

BURNSVILLE, MINN. July 19, 2019 — Apothecary Products presented Butch Cowden, Maintenance Technician II and Natalie Michael, Director Project Management, with its most distinguished employee award, the One APL Award, on July 18^th at its All Team meeting.

This coveted award honors outstanding team members who demonstrate a sense of team, selflessly putting Apothecary Products (APL) first to deliver on behalf of the entire APL team. Employees nominate their peers for this program quarterly with a cross-functional committee selecting the recipient. The nomination is a powerful affirmation of the value of a nominees work particularly because nominations comes from peers. This program is among several at APL celebrating our collaborative, high-performing work culture.

Other nominees included Jeff Hollaway (Vice President, National Accounts) and Pauline Reller (Customer Relations Lead). The recipients receive bragging rights, front row parking, and an invitation to an annual recognition dinner.

Burnsville, Minnesota — Apothecary Products has been named a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for its contributions to the health of mothers and their babies.

MDH recognizes workplaces and county health departments that have demonstrated their commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers by creating a workplace lactation support program.

Kristine Clausen, Director Human Resources for Apothecary Products, stated: “We strive to enhance all aspects of well-being for our team members by offering a supportive environment, of which includes going above and beyond the legal standards for working mamas. We’ve equipped our “Quiet Room“ with local breast-feeding support resources, relaxing décor and furniture, soft lighting and a sound machine to promote a private, quiet environment.”

“We recently acquired the Bamboobies brand which provides simple and effective breastfeeding solutions for moms. The recognition as a breastfeeding-friendly workplace shows our commitment to making Apothecary a great place to work.”
– Andrea Porfidio, Marketing Director, Bamboobies.

Breastfeeding is a foundational way to ensure that babies receive optimal nutrition during the first formative years of life. Studies show that infants who are breastfed have better health outcomes as they grow. MDH recognizes organizations that have taken a leadership role to improve breastfeeding rates and meet Healthy 2020 goals.

The designation acknowledges Apothecary Products’ commitment to acting as a model for the community by supporting healthy families and receiving the business benefits of supporting nursing mothers. The designation is achieved by adopting a written policy and educating staff about it, ensuring adequate break time for breastfeeding employees, providing a clean, private place to pump breast milk, and demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting breastfeeding in the workplace.

This is MDH’s recognition program which was created and is supported by the state Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP).

To learn more, visit health.state.mn.us/breastfeedingfriendly.

About Bamboobies
The Bamboobies brand, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of top-rated, breastfeeding support products. The portfolio includes nursing shawls, nursing tanks and bras, disposable and washable nursing pads, and organic nipple balm. Visit www.bamboobies.com to learn more.

BURNSVILLE, MINN. April 18, 2019 —Apothecary Products presented Le Phuong, Machine Operator II, with its most distinguished employee award, the One APL Award on April 18^th at its All Team meeting.

This coveted award honors outstanding team members who demonstrate a sense of team, selflessly putting Apothecary Products (APL) first to deliver on behalf of the entire APL team. Employees nominate their peers for this program quarterly with a cross-functional committee selecting the recipient. The nomination is a powerful affirmation of the value of a nominees work particularly because nominations comes from peers. This program is among several at APL celebrating our collaborative, high-performing work culture.

Other nominees included Jeff Hollaway (Vice President, National Accounts), Traci Heaton (Project Coordinator), Butch Cowden (Maintenance Technician II), Hanh Tran (Pad Print Operator), and Dennis Young (Accounting Supervisor). The recipient receive bragging rights, front row parking, and an invitation to an annual recognition dinner.

One APL Award Nominees – April 2019

BURNSVILLE, MINN. January 25, 2019 —Apothecary Products presented Darious Smith, Receiving Supervisor, with its most distinguished employee award, the One APL Award on January 17^th at it’s All Team meeting.

This award honors outstanding team members who demonstrate a sense of team, selflessly putting APL first to deliver on behalf of the entire APL team. It rewards those team members who show exemplary individual action and performance in their day-to-day activities in helping APL move forward to deliver business results. Employees nominate their peers for this program quarterly with a cross-functional committee selecting the recipient. The nomination is a powerful affirmation of the value of a nominees work particularly because nominations comes from peers.

Other nominees included Jeff Harris (Senior Manager, Finance + Accounting), Jeff Hollaway (Vice President, National Accounts), Paxia Her (Regulatory Specialist), Pauline Reller (Customer Relations Lead), Traci Heaton (Project Coordinator), John Grill (Distribution Manager).  The recipient receive bragging rights, front row parking, and an invitation to an annual recognition dinner.

One APL Award Nominees – January 2019

BURNSVILLE, MINN. October 18, 2018 — Apothecary Products presented Heather Walters, IT Supervisor,  with its most distinguished employee award, the One APL Award on October 18^th. This award honors outstanding team members who demonstrate a sense of team, selflessly putting APL first to deliver on behalf of the entire APL team. It rewards those team members who show exemplary individual action and performance in their day-to-day activities in helping APL move forward to deliver business results. Employees nominate their peers for this program quarterly with a cross-functional committee selecting the recipient. Recipients receive bragging rights, front row parking, and an invitation to an annual recognition dinner.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — October 1, 2018
Contact: Mary Beth Schubert, marybeth.schubert@co.dakota.mn.us

12 winners from Dakota and Scott counties

The Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board has recognized 12 area organizations as Employers of Excellence for their employee retention, compensation and training practices. The Workforce Development Board wanted to recognize some of the best employers in Dakota and Scott counties and provide vital information to companies about the practices they use to attract and retain employees. With the help of local sponsors, the board commissioned a study and asked area employers to participate. This year, 29 organizations took part.

Each participant completed a 40-question survey that allowed their employment practices to be analyzed by a consulting firm. Every organization participating in the survey received a 20-page report detailing the information on their company and the results of the survey. Employers were evaluated on numerous metrics: turnover, rate of growth, promotion rates, employee evaluations and feedback, percentage of employee injured, diversity of management, benefits offered, training expenditures, paid days off, and increase in pay.

The Employers of Excellence were recognized at a banquet on Thursday, Sept. 27. The winners are:

Small Employer (under 75 employees)

• Carlson Capital Management, Hastings
• Custom Drapery and Blinds by Esch, LLC, Burnsville
• Hydra-Flex, Inc., Eagan
• Reese Enterprises, Inc., Rosemount

Mid-Size Employer (75–200 employees)

• Dakota Electric Association, Farmington
• Firefly Credit Union, Burnsville
• The Smead Manufacturing Company, Hastings
• Apothecary Products, LLC, Burnsville

Large Employer (over 200 employees)

• Entrust Datacard, Shakopee
• Lifeworks Services, Inc., Eagan
• Prime Therapeutics, Eagan
• UTC Aerospace Systems, Burnsville

Matt Smith
County Manager
www.dakotacounty.us

Mary Beth Schubert
Director of Communications
651-438-8179

Scott Wente
Communications Specialist
651-438-4244

Leading Consumer Health Products Company Expands Portfolio

NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

MINNEAPOLIS, July 30, 2018 –  Apothecary Products, LLC, a leading innovator, manufacturer and distributor of consumer healthcare products, has announced the acquisition of SOFT Style, LLC based in Boulder, Colorado. SOFT Style, LLC develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of breastfeeding support products under the bamboobies® brand. SOFT Style will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Apothecary Products. There will be no significant changes to day-to-day business operations for the foreseeable future.

Nathan Hanson, President and CEO of Apothecary Products, stated, “We are very excited to bring these two complementary companies together. This strategic acquisition enhances APL’s go forward branded plans to help moms with young families take care of themselves. This acquisition joins the talent and capabilities of both organizations which significantly improves our ability to best serve our customers and consumers with innovative branded solutions. Through our increased scale, expanded portfolio and combined expertise in delivering consumer preferred solutions world-wide, we can provide a platform for future innovation, growth and increased value. I have great admiration for the SOFT Style team and their ability to nimbly deliver meaningful innovation that helps breastfeeding moms. I would like to personally thank Kerry Gilmartin, former owner and CEO of SOFT Style, for her leadership and vision in building a truly insightful brand.” Ms. Gilmartin will continue to support brand growth as a key strategic advisor to Mr. Hanson.

Kerry Gilmartin, SOFT Style’s founder and CEO, stated, “We are incredibly excited to partner with Apothecary as we enter our next phase of growth. The bamboobies brand will leverage their consumer products expertise and their financial and operational strength to scale more swiftly and gracefully. The bamboobies brand promise of supporting new mothers, babies and their world will be continued as innovation grounded in high quality and eco-friendly design are shared values.”

About SOFT Style
SOFT Style, under the bamboobies brand, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of top-rated, eco-friendly breastfeeding support products. The portfolio includes nursing shawls, nursing tanks and bras, disposable and washable nursing pads, and organic nipple balm. bamboobies mission is to ensure that new mothers and babies are happier and healthier, and so is their world. Founded in 2010 and based in Boulder, Colorado.
Visit www.buybamboobies.com to learn more.

About Apothecary Products
Apothecary Products, LLC is a leading innovator, manufacturer, marketer, and supplier of simple self-care solutions, pharmacy supplies and wellness aids. Headquartered in Burnsville, Minnesota, the company has several strategic manufacturing partners in the U.S. and internationally.

• Private Equity-backed by Norwest Equity Partners: a leading private equity investment firm with global presence and Midwest roots
• Fully integrated infrastructure with significant scale and world-class management team
• Strong market share in several product categories, many pioneered by Apothecary Products
• Domestic and international presence – Apothecary Products can be found in 50+ countries.
• Significant presence in top retailers
• Innovation driven

Visit www.apothecaryproducts.com to learn more.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Meg Heitlinger
VP – Marketing & Sales
SOFT Style, LLC.
makers of bamboobies
800.560.7131

Jean Roskam
Senior VP of Marketing
Apothecary Products
952.808.8301
media@apothecaryproducts.com