Manitoba's Top Employers

2019

Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1054325

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 10 of 27

11 Celebrating 20 Years of People, Products, and Possibilities For 20 years, Emergent BioSolutions has focused on a singular mission—to protect and enhance life. We are a global life sciences company providing specialty products that address accidental, intentional, and naturally occurring public health threats. Through the talent, drive, and innovation that have shaped our growth, we envision protecting and enhancing millions of lives around the world. 155 Innovation Drive, Winnipeg, MB, CA, R3T 5Y3 emergentbiosolutions.com Emergent BioSolutions Winnipeg employees recently celebrated the company's 20th anniversary. PHOTO BY SIVART PRODUCTIONS Emergent provides specialty products for civilian and military populations that address accidental, intentional and naturally occurring public health threats. Mark Lobe, Vice-President and General Manager of Emergent's Winnipeg office, the most populous among the company's 19 locations, says the process starts by getting employees engaged in the corporate culture. "Our corporate culture promotes our values in all that we do – from developing and distributing products, to working collaboratively across the organizations, and to contributing to the betterment of our communities," he says. "The best part about working for our company is having a meaningful impact on public health by protecting and enhancing life, while at the same time working for a company with a positive culture, one that invests in its people and its facilities, and equally provides exceptional benefits." Lobe noted that the company's location in the University of Manitoba's Smartpark Research and Technology Park benefits employees because they have convenient access to all the campus has to offer, from restaurants to discounted memberships at the university's fully- equipped fitness facility. This location also allows the company to work directly with students at the university, whether it's through an internship or a job placement following graduation. Lobe says a significant number of Emergent employees are also U of M grads. Even though Emergent employees have a university education, the learning doesn't stop once they are hired by the company. Lobe says that Emergent encourages the professional development of employees through the continuance of formal education. "We support formal education that is directly related to the employee's current job or has a reasonable likelihood of enhancing the employee's potential for advancement within Emergent," he says. "We provide 100 per cent reimbursement for course costs, books and fees for approved courses up to an annual maximum of $5,250. "In addition to supporting formal education programs, Emergent reinforces on-the-job work assignments to support employee development, provides in-house leadership programs and skill development workshops, supports employee participation in external seminars and conferences (including travel expenses), sponsors professional memberships and hosts a local Toastmasters chapter onsite." Emergent operates a corporate social responsibility program called eGIVE, which stands for Give, Invest, Volunteer in Emergent communities. Each year, the Winnipeg eGIVE team awards a $400 scholarship to the top science student in every high school in Winnipeg. Emergent also awards three $3,500 scholarships annually to children of Emergent employees who are pursuing a college or university education. Employees can take one paid day off through the eGIVE program – which can be taken in hourly increments – to volunteer within the community. They can also propose community events or programs to support through the local employee- led eGIVE committee. "Emergent is passionate about our corporate eGIVE program, which focuses volunteerism efforts in five key areas including educating tomorrow's scientific leaders," Lobe says. When Emergent employees aren't upgrading their education or taking time to reconnect with the community through charitable efforts, they also have the opportunity to take advantage of a wide range of other benefits. Financially, Emergent offers a registered pension plan, an employee stock purchase plan, an annual performance-based bonus plan and an equity program for certain levels in the organization. The company's rewards and recognition programs allow flexible options to celebrate achievements in a wide range of ways, from on-the-spot, peer-to-peer recognition up to annual individual and team champion recognition with cash awards up to US$15,000. Emergent offers wellness programs that include a wellness reimbursement program, onsite yoga classes and wellness challenges sponsored by an employee-led health and wellness committee. The company is also helping its employees reduce their environmental footprint by subsidizing 90 per cent of employee monthly bus passes. It has been nearly five years since Emergent entered the Winnipeg market through its acquisition of Cangene Corporation. As this anniversary approaches, the company reflects positively on the move and is committed to maintaining a strong corporate culture. "Coming up to five years since being acquired, Emergent continues to embrace, appreciate, and empower the Winnipeg site," Lobe says. "We are proud to be part of Emergent and gratified that our employees are playing an important role in helping Emergent achieve success globally." As Emergent BioSolutions works hard to protect and enhance life, it's also taking the time to look internally and focus on the quality of life of its employees. With 1,600 employees across the globe it is a priority. EMERGENT BIOSOLUTIONS CREATING CULTURE CENTRED ON EMPLOYEES BY PAT REDIGER

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Manitoba's Top Employers - 2019