Each October Apothecary Products (APL) provides our Team Members and their families with breast cancer education and opportunities to celebrate the lives of those affected by the disease. On Friday, October 25^th, APL Team Members were encouraged to wear pink and participate in a group photo in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Throughout the month, Bamboobies brand (APL) is partnering up with Keep A Breast Foundation and donating $1.00 for every order sold on Bamboobies.com. Keep A Breast is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower people all over the world with breast health education and support. For more information, visit www.keep-a-breast.org.

Apothecary Products presented Jeff Harris, Sr. Manager Finance and Accounting, with its most distinguished employee award, the One APL Award on October 17, 2019 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 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 David Neiss (Controller), Pat Luke (Maintenance Technician II), Tychanza Luepke (Quality Inspector), Jeff Collison (Facilities Maintenance Supervisor) and Jeff Hollaway (Vice President, National Accounts). The recipient receives bragging rights, front row parking, and an invitation to an annual recognition dinner.

Apothecary Products (APL) is committed to living out our WE CARE values in many ways and part of this commitment involves giving back to our community. APL Team Members recently held a Penny Wars competition to raise money for the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV). Team Members donated spare change and dollars bills and raised a total of $1,100! This money will be used to support MACV in their mission to end veteran homelessness in Minnesota by providing housing, employment and legal services. If you’d like to learn more about MACV and how you can help, visit https://www.mac-v.org/.

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