Manitoba's Top Employers

18 Join the team behind Canada's leading furniture manufacturer. PALLISER.COM/CAREERS That personnel now numbers more than 2,000 people, 643 of whom are based in Winnipeg where the company's head office is located. The Lexington Park headquarters, in the heart of the McLeod Industrial Park, is not far from the East Kildonan home where Abram Albert (A.A.) DeFehr first began building furniture in his basement. After enjoying some early success, DeFehr, who had emigrated from Russia as a teenager, moved his basement workshop into a refurbished chicken barn and from there into larger quarters. He quickly became a key player in the furniture manufacturing business in Manitoba and across Canada. Almost 75 years later, with A.A.'s son Art DeFehr at the helm of the company's board of directors and Art's son-in-law Peter Tielmann serving as President and CEO, Palliser Furniture is the largest furniture manufacturer in Canada. In addition to its Winnipeg production facility, furniture outlet and real estate holdings, the company has three manufacturing plants in Mexico and distributes its custom- made furniture upholstery products throughout North America. Palliser's success is due to the high quality of its product, exceptional customer service and the vision and determination of the DeFehr family. But is also due to the hard work, diligence and loyalty of its hundreds of employees. Those employees, including some who have been with Palliser for 40 years or more, are committed to the company because the company is committed to them. That shared devotion is the reason that Palliser Furniture, is repeatedly recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies and tenure averages at 12 years among Palliser staff. "Palliser employees are at the very core of our competitive advantage and are the reason for our continuous success," Tielmann says. It is logical, therefore, that the company do everything it can to keep its employees engaged, happy and proud to be part of the Palliser team. "The DeFehr family views success as financial and business success," adds Art DeFehr, "but it is equally important that it works for the employees and for the community." While Palliser's efforts on behalf of the community are largely channeled through the DeFehr Foundation, the company's efforts on behalf of its employees are reflected in its daily interactions and through a variety of policies, programs and opportunities. "Palliser is committed to a culture of diversity and development," explains Andrea Aiello, the company's Director of Human Resources. Following the example set by its founder, Palliser consistently hires refugees and newcomers to Canada and works closely with local immigration agencies to ensure their successful integration and job satisfaction. "Training, education and development are cornerstones of our culture, and supported through targeted programming for all areas of our business," Aiello says. Palliser, she continues, encourages personal skill development for all of its employees. It supports and reimburses continuing education at all levels, whether it is for a quick Excel course or a two-year MBA, and it invites new hires to participate in structured training programs. These programs, such as the Career Engagement Program, incorporate mentoring, career counseling, innovation training and even book clubs, as a means of inspiring staff to enhance their skills, their earning potential, opportunities for advancement and personal sense of accomplishment. The company also offers co-op learning opportunities and flexible work hours. "We pride ourselves on being flexible where we can, accommodating family constraints, for example, such as daycare drop off and pick up," Aiello says. "As a manufacturer, it is difficult for us to make mass accommodations, so we take the approach that our leaders should have personal relationships with each team member, and know which accommodations are meaningful. For some it will be an adjusted start time, for others it will be the provision of quiet space for religious observances." Palliser also invite employees to share in the company's success via customized bonus plans, social events and continued investment in each employee through education and training. In turn, their employees give back through charity drives in the local community and to each other in times of hardship and need. "We are fortunate to maintain a family-feel after 74 years. We continue to see this caring for one another when team members pass, when tragedies strike homelands, and when we need to step in and step up to support one another," Aiello says. "Through the sharing of corporate goals and a vision for future growth and innovation all employees are encouraged to embrace personal and collective development to make ourselves, and our products, the very best in class." Whether those employees have been with the company for four years or four decades, whether they are new to Canada or third generation Winnipeggers, and whether they are fabric designers, forklift operators or furniture assemblers, they are equally valued and respected for their contributions to Palliser's long- term success. PALLISER FURNITURE SHARES CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE BY SHARON CHISVIN A lot has changed in the furniture manufacturing industry since the founding of Palliser Furniture Upholstery Ltd. back in 1944, but Palliser's commitment to its customers, products and personnel has never wavered. A group of Palliser staff at the company's head office in Winnipeg. Palliser's headquarters comprises administrative, executive, product development and manufacturing work spaces, allowing employees to work collaboratively and to make connections across the organization. PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY

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