JERSEY CITY, N.J. (March 29, 2016) — Forbes magazine has named Bridgestone Americas, Continental North America, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear and Michelin North America to its “America's Best Employers” for 2016, as published in the April 11 issue of the magazine.
Forbes magazine generates its America's Best Employers list from a national survey among 30,000 employees from companies throughout the U.S. and rates employers that raise the bar on employee initiatives and strive to achieve corporate culture excellence. Each survey participant was asked to rank both his or her own employer as well as other employers in the same industry sector.
The 2016 Forbes list comprises 500 companies with more than 5,000 employees.
Of the tire makers included, Michelin earned the highest rank, at No. 73. Bridgestone was ranked at 432, followed by Cooper at 437, Continental at 471 and Goodyear at 477.
Continental employs roughly 17,000 in the U.S. in a number of business units, including Continental Tire the Americas, and recently committed to invest $1.4 billion in Mississippi for radial truck tire plant. This is the second straight year Conti was so honored.
“Attracting and retaining top talent has become more challenging in our business,” said Rick Ledsinger, vice president human relations, Continental North America. “As the tech-driven automotive industry continues to evolve, we must remain flexible within this changing landscape by offering unique programs and services that not only meet the needs of employees, but their families too.”
Conti noted that employers' attitudes toward employees are changing as the workforce evolves toward more millennials. Flexible working arrangements, a casual work atmosphere, more creativity in the workplace as well as an improved work-life-balance are just a few of the factors that today's employees are taking into consideration when deciding on a new job and selecting their employer of choice.
Other Continental business units active in North America include ContiTech and Continental Automotive (chassis and safety, interior, powertrain).