October 2012
Report to Members, By Philip Kirschner, President

NJBIA's 2012 Awards for Excellence Winners Really Shine

On October 16, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association presents its 2012 Awards for Excellence to 11 member companies that have done outstanding work to make New Jersey a better place in which to live and work. This is one of my favorite events of the year. We enjoy honoring great companies that deserve recognition for their accomplishments.

Thriving in a weak economy is the theme of this year’s winners of the Business Expansion Award. International Vitamin Corporation in Freehold doubled its sales revenue in the past two years, jumping to number two from number five in the private-label vitamin industry, adding 80 new jobs. Pro Computer Service of Marlton tripled its revenues in two years in its niche as an IT support company for small businesses. Voltaix, LLC in Monmouth County more than doubled its sales and tripled its payroll as a leading producer of specialty chemicals that make the smart chips in our computer devices run faster.

Our four Environmental Quality Award winners are no less impressive. General Mills/ Progresso Quality Foods, a Vineland soup plant, used to send nearly 100 million gallons of water down the drain after using it to cool cans before labeling. The company’s new heat exchange system reclaims the heat from the water and recycles about 56 million gallons annually for reuse.

Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. has become an industry leader in environmental sustainability by installing a 2.5-megawatt solar-panel canopy over its office parking lots and participating in a regional water conservation program. New Jersey American Water Company doesn’t like environmental bullies, and so it removed acres of invasive species like Japanese barberry that were destroying the ecosystem around its plant in Tewksbury Township. It also planted hundreds of native plants. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation in East Hanover has one-upped the art of recycling by refurbishing and reusing 154,000 pounds of computers and other electronic devices in the first year of a new program.

Sometimes in life and work, it’s the little things that count the most. That’s the case with our first Outstanding Employer Award winner, Riverview Estates. The Burlington County long-term-care facility has boosted the morale of employees and the quality of care-giving over the years by focusing on the many little things that make their employees happier, from daily hot meals to tuition reimbursement. And there’s a reason why few employees leave STORIS Inc. in Mount Arlington, a creator of software solutions for retailers. Employees at the Mount Arlington Company are required to learn new skills and, if they succeed, they can recommend their own promotion and pay raise. And it works! STORIS has enjoyed a 98 percent retention rate.

As for the winners of this year’s Public Service Award, they really shine. Wakefern Food Corp. of Edison knows more than a thing or two about feeding people. The ShopRite cooperative has made fighting hunger a core focus of its charitable efforts, donating millions of dollars and tons of food to New Jersey food banks. WithumSmith+Brown, PC has created a “Week of Caring,” giving every employee three days off before Thanksgiving to volunteer in their communities.

Vincent Schweikert, Vice President & Publisher
973-882-5004. ext. 110
v.schweikert@njbmagazine.com

Anthony Birritteri, Editor-in-Chief
973-882-5004. ext. 104
a.birritteri@njbmagazine.com

George Saliba, Managing Editor
973-882-5004. ext. 106
g.saliba@njbmagazine.com

Lisa Fragati-Criscuolo, Advertising Manager
973-882-5004. ext. 108
l.criscuolo@njbmagazine.com

Gloria Owens, Account Executive
973-882-5004. ext. 109
g.owens@njbmagazine.com

Doug Prefach, Account Executive
973-882-5004. ext. 102
d.prefach@njbmagazine.com