The Longaberger Company
Company: The Longaberger Company
Company Description: When Dave Longaberger founded The Longaberger Company in 1973, many thought a business based on his family’s basketmaking heritage was a big idea. History shows he was onto something. Our success is the sum of our parts: Our early roots, our entrepreneurial spirit, our belief in quality and value, and our collective passion for nurturing a better quality of life for those we touch.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Overall Company of the Year - Non-Services Businesses – More Than 2,500 Employees
Nomination Title: The Longaberger Company
Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated company during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):
Longaberger is prominently featured in Woman's Day Magazine's July, 2011 edition, in an article about Made In America. Their signature Medium Market Basket is highlighted, along with an interview with CEO Tami Longaberger. (4)
AMERICAN TIES
Baskets are crafted by hand with maple from forests in Michigan and Wisconsin and tacks from Connecticut. Even the pens the company’s 300 artisans use to sign finished baskets are made in the U.S.A.
THE FUTURE
Though customers can purchase products on Longaberger’s web site, the company also has 35,000 consultants who sell baskets at home parties, online or one-on-one to personal clients. "In times like these,” Tami Longaberger says, "we have to contribute to the rebuilding of America.” (3)
Horizon of Hope® is a premier fundraising and educational campaign to support breast cancer initiatives of the American Cancer Society. New research is undertaken because of Horizon of Hope. This groundbreaking program began in 1995 through a partnership forged by CEO Tami Longaberger and Dr. Robert Smith, Director of Cancer Screening for the American Cancer Society. It has grown into a powerful grassroots campaign that has raised more than $14 million and touched more than 20 million women with the message of early detection.
Support of Military Men and Women is rooted in our belief that we should honor those who make sacrifices on behalf of us all. Through our Military Cares Program, employees make donations and assemble care packages for troops overseas. We also support Cell Phones for Soldiers, enabling service men and women to stay in touch with loved ones back home.
The Longaberger Foundation has supported numerous projects, from those with far- reaching impact to others in the communities where our employees live and work. Examples include disaster relief efforts, women’s entrepreneurial outreach in Ohio, support of international women’s rights, anti-hunger initiatives and environmental programs, such as tree planting and preservation of wild habitats.
List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:
1. http://www.longaberger.com/tamiLongaberger.aspx
2. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/board.asp?privcapId=791010
3. http://www.longaberger.com/WD_0711.aspx
4. http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Home/Decorating/Made-in-America-12-Home-Decor-Finds.html
5. http://www.longaberger.com/longabergerFoundation.aspx
Provide a brief biography of the person or persons who lead the nominated company (up to 100 words):
Tami Longaberger, chair of the board and CEO, has led the Ohio-based direct selling company through significant growth, product diversification, facilities expansion and new technologies. The company was founded in 1973 by her late father Dave.
A respected leader and active participant in international, national and statewide affairs, Tami serves as chair of the Arab Women’s Leadership Institute, which provides women in the Arab region with valuable skills to succeed as community leaders, civil servants and elected officials. She is a member of the Ohio Business Roundtable, a partnership of chief executives of the state’s major businesses who are committed to working with public leaders to build a better Ohio. (1)
Choose one (even if both apply):
The CEO (or other principal manager) of this company is a woman, and at least 40% of the management team is comprised of women.