Kane County Company Among ‘Best and Brightest to Work For’ in 2016
FONA International, family-owned Geneva-based creator and manufacturer of complete flavor solutions, continues to lead the league as one of the “best and brightest” places to work.
And in the past few weeks, FONA has racked up almost as many awards as the U.S. women’s gymnastics team.
Most recently, FONA was recognized as an Elite Winner for Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions as part of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work for competition.
The Elite Award adds to FONA’s earlier 2016 recognition as one of Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association for Business Resources. The Elite Award reflects FONA’s excellence in outstanding benefits and compensation programs for employees.
“This elite award is truly an honor for the entire FONA family. We’re so fortunate to have outstanding and talented people, and this is a testament to them,” said Joe Slawek, chairman and CEO. “We want everyone at FONA to thrive and succeed, and I’m so thrilled to share this award with them.”
In 2016, for the 11th year in a row, NABR recognized FONA as one of Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For. FONA was also recognized as a national winner by NABR at the end of 2015. The national 2016 award winners have not yet been announced.
Also in 2015, FONA was named the No. 3 small/medium manufacturer in the nation by “Great Places to Work.”
To earn the title of Best & Brightest Company to Work For, FONA was assessed by an independent research firm which reviewed a number of key measurements related to: compensation, benefits and employee solutions; employee enrichment, engagement and retention; employee education and development; recruitment, selection and orientation; employee achievement and recognition; communication and shared vision; diversity and inclusion; work-life balance; community initiatives; and strategic company performance.
This summer, FONA was named the 15th Annual Winner of the Food Quality & Safety Award. Through this prestigious national award, Food Safety & Quality magazine recognized FONA’s commitment and investment in the highest level of safety and quality assurance.
Magazine editor Marian Zboraj said FONA was an easy choice.
“It was clear that FONA has demonstrated excellence across all categories of its application, with substantial investment in technology supported by strong performance improvement and quantifiable results in all areas measured,” she said.
Zboraj said FONA upholds the highest in food standards. She cited the company’s comprehensive training that includes HACCP, SQF, and “FSMA Fridays,” and FONA’s significant investments in new instrumentation for quality operations and Research and Innovation.
“The senior management and the employees demonstrated a strong food safety and quality culture,” said Zboraj. “It has achieved and maintained SQF Level 3 certification since 2009 and was even named SQF Manufacturer of the Year in 2012.”
For more details, read the announcement at Food Quality and Safety website.
The magazine will also feature an in-depth article about FONA and its commitment to food safety and quality in the October/November issue.
FONA’s recent attention-grabbing goes beyond awards. The company graced the cover of Illinois Manufacturer magazine’s Spring 2016 issue and the National Association of Manufacturers featured the FONA in its “Power of Small” campaign in June 2016.
Credit: Illinois Manufacturer Magazine
- Editor’s Note: Feature photo courtesy of Illinois Manufacturer magazine.
About FONA International, Inc.
Founded in 1987, FONA International creates and produces flavors for many of the largest food, beverage, and nutritional companies in the world. It offers flavor solutions for the confection, grain, beverage, performance nutrition, OTC and emerging markets from its state-of-the-art, 33- acre campus in Geneva, IL. FONA’s seven core values drive it to pursue excellence and foster incredible partnerships. More than just great flavors — FONA provides complete market solutions.
SOURCE: FONA news release
