Golden Artist Colors Named 2011 Top Small Company Workplace

TOP SMALL COMPANY 2011
Today Inc. magazine and Winning Workplaces recognized Golden Artist Colors as one of the winners of the 2011 Top Small Company Workplaces competition - an annual recognition that highlights the nation's best small and mid-sized company work environments - in Inc.'s June issue. The magazine features the competition's 50 winners from 80 finalists and nearly 350 applicants.

Every year since 2003, Winning Workplaces, an Evanston, IL-based non-profit organization, has recognized those firms that attribute much of their business success to their commitment to exemplary people practices and outstanding workplace cultures."We were absolutely thrilled when we received the exciting news," said GOLDEN CEO, Mark Golden. "We believe that if you create an environment that is inviting, supportive and encourages taking risks and learning, people will come, stay and thrive. At GOLDEN, we've always believed that if the people thrive, the company will too."

Golden Artist Colors began as a four-person company producing artist paint in 1980. A commitment to delight its customers has lead to consistent growth. Now employing 150 full-time employees in its 100,000 square-foot facility, GOLDEN continues to extend the boundaries of painting through producing quality innovative products born of a constant dialogue with artists. Such high standards are achieved through efforts from the entire staff in a shared commitment to excellence. GOLDEN has always prepared and directed its employees to act and feel like owners through participative management practices and in 2002, the company established an Employee Stock Ownership Program, making ownership more tangible for staff. And just eight short years later, employees celebrated another milestone it its success, by becoming majority owners of the organization!

"I think it's wonderful to be recognized as a winning place to work, as we already feel that way," said Customer Service Representative and NY/NJ ESOP 2011 Employee Owner of the Year award recipient, Jonie Bassett. "When you enjoy your work day and know your input is important to fellow owners, the sense of accomplishment keeps you wanting more."

"GOLDEN is not only a leader in fine art materials, but in creating a nurturing environment in which people flourish and succeed," said company President & COO Barbara Schindler." This award reinforces our dedication to create a positive work culture, resulting in an engaged and committed workforce."

For more information about Golden Artist Colors, go to www.goldenpaints.com. To read about the company's receipt of the prestigious 2011 Top Small Company Workplace Award, go to www.winningworkplaces.org.