A Tire Company Was Just Named America's Best Employer — Beating Google and Facebook
The best place to work in America isn't Google or Costco. It's Michelin, a tire manufacturing company headquartered in France with 19 plants across the U.S.
That's according to a new ranking published by Forbes, which partnered with Statista, a market research company, to survey thousands of employees to determine the best employers in America.
Companies like Google and Costco — both known for their positive workplace cultures and benefits — still ranked in Forbes' top five, along with Trader Joe's and Principal Financial, an investment management company. But Michelin's meteoric rise to the top of Forbes annual list comes as it encourages employees to volunteer and fosters career development initiatives.
“I sum it up with two words: We care,” David Stafford, chief human resources officer of Michelin North America, told Forbes. “We offer a purpose-driven career with a purpose-driven company. That really resonates today, because people want to be part of a company that stands for more than just business.”
The company, which is also known for its coveted Michelin star honors for restaurants, is also dedicated to reducing C02 emissions through its membership with United Nations Global Compact, according to Forbes.
Indeed, Michelin isn't one of the most expected companies to land this top spot. Forbes said it rose 33 spots to claim the title this year, and the company hasn't appeared in top spots on other lists from Fortune or by Glassdoor, which appear not to include companies headquartered outside of the U.S. Similar lists from LinkedIn include tech powerhouses like Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Uber among its list of the 50 best places to work.
Forbes and Statista surveyed 30,000 employees across the country about how much they would recommend their company to others, among other questions.
Other studies — like this recent one from Indeed — have measured more specific qualities that make a workplace desirable. At Costco, the Indeed report found, employees are the most satisfied with their compensation and benefits than those at other places of employment.