ENTERTAINMENT PROPERTIES TRUST

While the real estate market has softened, the attitude at Entertainment Properties Trust, a real estate investment trust, remains upbeat. As the name implies, EPT deals in entertainment: multi-screen theatre complexes and retail centers, for example. Established just over ten years ago, EPT is well known in the community. In a company that is still growing, assistants have become senior managers and administrators. All personnel are encouraged to attend conferences and continuing education classes through the tuition reimbursement program. “Once someone has learned the business, they are an important asset to EPT,” says David Brain, president & CEO. The value that EPT places in its employees is evident in the benefits it provides. Although EPT is an outfit of 17, its benefits are the kind one would expect at a larger corporation, not only in its health and dental insurance and 401(k), but also in extra things like life, long term care and disability insurance, a company cell phone, a gym membership, bonuses and incentives. Employees have come to know one other well, and with a low turnover rate, the atmosphere at EPT “seems more like a family than a workplace,” says Brain. In a line of business so specialized, the continuity has sustained a “bright financial outlook.”

DESIGN MECHANICAL, INC.

Mechanical construction and service firm Design Mechanical, Inc. began in 2003 when five individuals met in makeshift locations to sign contracts. After just one year in business, the company moved from a facility of 4,000 square feet to 11,000 square feet. Today, DMI is a firm of approximately 80 and growing. In the spirit of an entrepreneurial organization, DMI affords each of its employees autonomy and respect. William Iler, president, explains, “There is a framework but there is freedom to do the job the way it ought to be done.” Despite its relative youth, DMI provides ample options for health and life insurance, 401(k)s, vacation time and incentive plans. DMI encourages civic activism, and each employee is considered an “ambassador” of the company, representing the organization to the community. Given its HVAC work with commercial and industrial clients, which can include service of gas and oil burners, boilers, and construction of mechanical piping, safety training is highly important. In DMI’s safety program, employees receive training in-house and at job sites. Valerie Mussett, director of marketing, calls the training “a reflection of our company’s success.” And the success is apparent: this year, the firm is looking to more than double its office space once again.

DIMENSIONAL INNOVATIONS

A full service design and specialty fabrication firm, Dimensional Innovations was founded in 1994 by CEO Jim Baker and president Tucker Trotter, and today employs a unique mix of 80-some welders, fabricators, artists, mechanical engineers and other professionals. “Everyone’s voice is heard,” says Trotter. “Because of the dynamic types of projects that we do, it takes that kind of collaborative effort.” All education is “unbelievably important,” whether it deals in safety, sales or marketing, or LEED certification. Turnover is low among the employees of DI, who in addition to tuition reimbursement, enjoy team bonuses, flexible work schedules and insurance options. “People feel they are on a team,” Trotter says. “You get the impression everyone loves to work together.” For a firm with numerous highly visible projects on the Kansas City landscape—the Kansas City Central Library book bindings or the Sprint Wall at the new Sprint Center, for example—it is not surprising that the employees are involved in the area’s civic life, supporting the local art and architecture communities and charities. Trotter summarizes, “Our team takes a great deal of pride in the work they do all around the world, but when the work is in your hometown, it adds to the level of pride.”

STRAUB CONSTRUCTION

It is the rare construction company that can be described as “warm and inviting” and “family-oriented,” but such is Straub Construction. More than 85 years old, Straub employs over 75 full-time employees. “When you are a part of the team, you truly are part of the family,” says Tara England, human resources and office manager. Whereas some companies can be cool and formal, Straub is warm and familial. President and CEO Ernie Straub III knows upper management and laborers by name and offers benefits including tax savings, retirement savings and policies for health and mental health. Safety is a “mindset” of the company, while charity is also ingrained in the corporate culture. Straub supports more than 50 nonprofit organizations annually. The social life of the company matters too. Employees enjoy complimentary T-Bones baseball games and a company lunch on Fridays. England recalls a memorable lunch in which the company president cooked brats and chicken wings before Labor Day weekend. Overall, employees appreciate the attention paid to them and remain loyal in an industry of high turnover, and profits reflect this loyalty. “It is proven in our turnover and in our profit and growth,” says England. “Some companies can shoot up and then fall. We have a nice, steady growth.”