Better Business Bureau Honors Businesses for Contributions to Building Marketplace Trust

ARLINGTON, Va., June 11 -- The Council of Better Business Bureaus issued the following news release:

Seven companies will receive BBB International Torch Awards presented by the Council of Better Business Bureaus to recognize businesses exhibiting outstanding ethical practices and contributions to building marketplace trust. Three companies will receive the International Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence. They are: Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air, HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, and J.C. Restoration, Inc. Four companies will be honored with the inaugural International Torch Award for Ethics. They are: CenterPoint Energy, Convertabath, Inc., Goodman's Interior Structures, and Guido's Auto Services.

The honorees will be celebrated at a special luncheon ceremony to be held at the first annual BBB Self-Regulation Conference on June 24, 2014 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

"This year's winners have set an example for businesses of all sizes to follow, and we applaud their unique contributions to upholding a fair and honest marketplace," said Mary Power, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (CBBB).

About the Winners

The BBB International Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence is given to a business that demonstrates "superior commitment to exceptional standards that benefit its customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and surrounding communities." Entrants compete with similar-sized companies in three categories:

Category 3 (1,000 or more employees)

HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, San Diego, CA (supplier)

HD Supply Facilities Maintenance is a leading supplier of maintenance, repair and operations products to multifamily, hospitality and healthcare properties. Throughout its 40 year history, HD Supply Facilities Maintenance has operated with the highest level of integrity, ethics and commitment to its customers, associates, suppliers and the communities in which they live and work. The company is committed to incorporating their values of Service, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Teamwork into everything they do, using their values as the guiding principles for all actions. Through their award-winning "Voice of the Customer" program, HD Supply Facilities Maintenance continuously works to improve their customer's experience. The company's open and supportive "One Team" environment provides their associates with an opportunity to excel and grow their careers - 80% of the company's senior managers have been promoted into their current positions. Supplier relationships are founded on transparency, ethics and collaboration. Through their associate-led community relations efforts, HD Supply Facilities Maintenance supports their local communities through extensive grant donations, associate volunteerism, event sponsorships and product donations. And they aren't satisfied with the status quo - HD Supply Facilities Maintenance is constantly striving to be the first choice for their customers, associates, suppliers, investors and communities.

Category 2 (100-999 employees)

Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air, El Cajon, CA (plumbing, heating & AC)

Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air was founded in 1978 with the guiding principles of quality, integrity, service and commitment to its community. At Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air, jobs are not considered finished until each and every customer has found their work to be morethan satisfactory and they have exceeded their customers' expectations. Internal communications are frequent, open and meticulously organized to ensure everyone in the company is prepared to do business at a higher standard, in order to "wow" every client, every time. Employees are not only offered a generous benefits packet, but ongoing continuing education and training is required to provide outstanding service, quality and professionalism to the company's clients. Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air has earned respect and industry recognitionfrom its peers, business partners and the trade media. They have been identified as one of the top 25 fastest growing companies in San Diego, received the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association's "Contractor of the Year" award, and in 2013 and 2010 they were named a winner in the BBB Torch Award for Ethics by BBB in San Diego, Orange and Imperial Counties.

Category 1 (1-99 employees)

J.C. Restoration, Inc., Rolling Meadows, IL (restoration and home remodeling)

For over 30 years, J.C. Restoration has been helping homeowners and business owners recover from damage caused by flood, fire, or storm. The company has become a pace-setter for the restoration industry, providing the highest quality of service, using leading edge equipment and technologies, all while maintaining highly trained, knowledgeable staff within each of its specialized divisions. J.C. Restoration is dedicated to helping its employees. The company offers an impressive benefits packet that includes health, dental and life insurance, employee training, and a 401K retirement plan, as well as a work environment that provides on-site counseling, an on-site beautician, and even a "Zen room" for relaxation. J.C. Restoration is very active in the community, providing customized education seminars and presentations for businesses to help them gain a better understanding of the restoration industry, as well as contribute to many local, national and international charities. The company has received numerous awards from industry associations and has been identified as one the Top 500 Remodelers by Qualified Remodeler Magazine.

Four additional businesses were named Finalists in the Marketplace Excellence competition:

- Alliance Laundry System, a commercial laundry manufacturer, located in Milwaukee, WI, for its commitment to customer satisfaction and providing quality products and services;

- Briggs & Stratton, a producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment, located in Milwaukee, WI, for its legacy in innovation, commitment to excellence and the environment, and job creation;

- On-Site Tech Support, an information technology managed service provider, located in San Diego, CA, for its dedication to its employees and providing quality service;

- Pierce Arrow, Inc. (dba Pierce Sales),work truck equipment manufacturer and converter, located in Henrietta, TX, for putting its customers first and creating a healthy work environment for its team members.

CBBB will also honor four additional companies with the inaugural 2014 BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics. This award is presented to businesses in recognition of best practices in leadership character and organizational ethics. Candidates must be winners of their local Torch Award for Ethics, a category currently offered by 14 BBB Centers for Character Ethics across North America:

Convertabath, Inc., Chandler, AZ (bathroom renovations)

Convertabath, Inc. is a bathroom renovation company that prides itself on offering 'green' options and accommodating the special needs of customers since 2005. After deciding that they could simply do better than what the industry currently offered, Rod and Jeannine Dinges established Convertabath, Inc. in 2005. Since then the couples' bathtub-to-shower conversion products have made a positive difference in the lives of their customers. Judges noted that the company ownership is committed to ethical practices and has strong human resource and performance management practices that are exemplary for a small business. They noted the use of scenario training to align ownership and employees on ethical practices.

Guido'sAuto Service Centers Incorporated, Phoenix, AZ (automotive services)

Guido'sAuto Service Centers comprised of two automotive repair facilities, DBA Tony's Auto Service Center and 25th Street Automotive is firmly founded on sound business practices and strong community principles. Judges noted their impressive caring for their employees utilizing a "25 Year Plan" for its staff, the tremendous engagement with the local community, and commitment to making it a better place to live and work. The company provides automotive repair, consultation, and planning for their customers, and is committed to developing strong, long-term relationships, all the while using resources to benefit its community and its environment. The business structure empowers team members to use the best means necessary to ethically meet customers' and the community's needs.

CenterPoint Energy, Minneapolis, MN (natural gas distributor)

CenterPoint Energy is the largest natural gas distribution utility in Minnesota and has been in business since 1870. The company is headquartered in Houston, TX.CenterPoint Energy operates a non-regulated business, Home Service Plus(TM). Each day, its employees field 5,000 customer calls, visit 3,000 homes, and execute hundreds of business transactions, all requiring ethical decision-making and conduct. CenterPoint Energy's leadership empowers its employees to exercise sound ethical judgment when representing the company in all situations. The Torch Award judges noted how the company values its employees and is evidenced in their commitment to require employees to take continuing education courses, and at least one course related to ethics each year. The company makes no distinction about who is responsible for demonstrating their company's core values - Integrity, Accountability, Initiative and Respect. In short, "operating ethically is simply what we do."

Goodman's Interior Structures, Phoenix, AZ (office furniture)

Goodman's Interior Structuresis an office furniture dealership dedicated to creating great lifetime furniture experiences for their healthcare, corporate, education and government clients. Who they are is reflected in their work, values, actions, community service, history, and the ethic of innovation and design that is at the heart of it all. For six decades, they have developed a reputation for being a family-owned business that specializes in customer-centered service, innovative office design and a commitment to the community. The company's overall organizational culture reflects a mission of serving customers with services and products that create a more productive, efficient, healthy and aesthetic environment. Judges noted that as a company in business for 60 years, their culture of ethical practices becomes evident in their business model where they have successfully adapted to a very different world from when it started.

[Category: Business]

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