Each month, WIKA USA recognizes employees who exemplify one of the company’s seven core values. The peer-nominated award is presented to employees who go above and beyond in their roles, all while upholding WIKA’s commitment to integrity, customer satisfaction, partnership, safety, continuous improvement, social responsibility, and excellence.
Established when WIKA was founded in 1946, core values are the standards by which WIKA measures itself and its employees. Thanks to employees’ commitment to these corporate values, WIKA has become a worldwide leader in industrial measurement technology. The company would not be where it is today without this dedication from within.
Employees who do more than expected are vital to WIKA’s overall mission of helping customers succeed through superior instrumentation solutions. This is why WIKA USA began the monthly Core Value Award program two decades ago – to acknowledge employees for their hard work and dedication.
Corporate Core Values are Keys to Company Success
A peer-nominated program, Core Value Awards give employees a special way to thank their colleagues for doing extraordinary work. Recipients are recognized for making a positive impact on WIKA’s continued success. Each nominee is chosen for exemplifying one of seven core values:
- Integrity: Promoting ethical business practices
- Customer Satisfaction: Creating positive customer experiences
- Partnership: Encouraging collaboration in the workplace
- Safety: Maintaining a safe work environment
- Continuous Improvement: Improving WIKA policies and processes
- Social Responsibility: Improving the community and the world at large
- Excellence: Exceeding expectations in work that directly impacts company success
Each month a committee composed of senior managers chooses the winners, who receive a plaque, monetary award, and a designated parking spot at the main WIKA USA campus in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
February 2020 Corporate Core Values Award Winners
In early March, before social distancing and stay-at-home orders began, WIKA USA selected the following seven employees as winners of the February 2020 Core Value Awards:
Photo above: Bratislav Abramovic and coworkers
Bratislav Abramovic, Maintenance, Pressure Gauge Division | Recognized for Excellence
Jeff Wood, who manages Warehouse & Shipping, nominates an unsung hero. “Bratislav, who flies under the radar a lot of times, exemplifies excellence every day,” Wood writes. “He has been instrumental in successfully completing projects or task for me and my group. He never squabbles, but does the assignment in good spirit and always finishes it in a timely and professional manner. Bratislav, you are an ideal employee. My team and I thank you for your efforts.”
Michael E. White, Shipping, Pressure Gauge Division | Recognized for Excellence
Jeff also nominates Michael, another rock-steady employee in the Pressure Gauge Division. “I am nominating Michael not just for this month, but for the entire time he has been employed at WIKA. I know of no other person here who has quietly given as much time or effort to making the Shipping Department and this company a success. Michael embodies the model employee. He always just does the right thing and is an example to those who work for him and around him. In addition to work matters, he tries to pour physical wellbeing into his teams. I’m proud to have Michael on my team, and WIKA is also richer for having him here.”
Michael White and coworkers
Sandra Rai, Accounting, Pressure Gauge Division | Recognized for Partnership
Sandra Rai and coworkers
Bill Edinger and several others praise Sandra for her attention to detail. Bill writes, “Sandra went above and beyond what was expected in her role to straighten out a very messy issue with one of our partners. She was incredibly professional in her demeanor, proficient in the way she worked to resolve the problem, and VERY thorough in getting the details worked out. I appreciate the way she partnered with different WIKA team members, as well as with our partner, to get results that satisfied everyone. Members of the Process Instrumentation & Controlling teams owe her a BIG thank you for a job well done!”
Shaun Ranger, Electrical Temperature Level (ETL) / Diaphragm Seals (DS) Division | Recognized for Customer Satisfaction
Shaun Ranger, Griselda Salazar, and coworkers
Henry Hardee draws attention to Shaun’s flexibility and adaptability. “Shaun has done an impressive job of keeping up with customers while the DS business has been moved around and shifted. He has also shown great emotional stability and a willingness to help wherever possible.”
Griselda Salazar, ETL/DS Division | Recognized for Partnership and Excellence
Two employees, Cristal Mesa and Nicole Pena, nominate Griselda in the DS Division for seeing a need and filling that need. “Griselda is always willing to go above and beyond in helping the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) group and handling her other day-to-day duties. She knew that the Level team was shorthanded now that their business is increasing, and she volunteered to give the additional help that was needed. She has a great work ethic and is an example of the culture we want to spread throughout WIKA.”
Buddy Dyer (right) and Tommy Nelson
Buddy Dyer, Manufacturing, Flow Division | Recognized for Excellence
Buddy is a master problem-solver, writes Tommy Nelson in his nomination. “Buddy brings 40 years of experience to our machine shop. He is willing to do anything we bring him, even reaching out to other shops for tooling and programming advice. Buddy has made several small demos that are extremely difficult to machine, but he finds a way to make them work. Buddy goes above and beyond to ensure he is delivering quality parts to our customers in the most efficient way he can.”
Cameron Swaim and coworkers
Cameron Swaim, Shipping, Flow Division | Recognized for Excellence
In his nomination, Justin Durr recognizes Cameron’s exemplary work ethic. team work, and professionalism. “Cameron is constantly going above and beyond to help out with quality initiative and on-time delivery. He is willing to do whatever is required to make sure that the job is done right and on time. I cannot say enough good things about him!”