HOT TOPICS
GORE VISIT HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL COMPANY'S UNIQUENESS IN PRODUCTS AND PERSONNEL
At the regular monthly membership meeting of the Delaware Chapter of IFMA, participants found out that a locally headquartered company primarily associated with Gore-Tex clothing, is actually a world class international firm with both a unique range of products and an unconventional form of management. The company that was started more than 50 years ago out of the basement of the Gore family residence on Paper Mill Road by Bill and Vieve Gore, now has nearly 9,000 employees, 2.5 billion in revenues, and offices from Scotland to China in addition to the US.
Members were hosted and briefed by Michael Ratchford, External Affairs Leader for Gore; and Jay Steimer, Facilities Associate, and a member of the Delaware Chapter of IFMA, at the Capability Center at the Barksdale Facility of W.L. Gore. Michael spoke about the history of the company, but also about the Gore philosophy of bringing to market products that are “designed to be of the highest quality in their class and revolutionary in their effect.” Gore has achieved success by innovating and inventing new possibilities through the many applications that have been found for fluoropolymer products.
Michael talked about many unseen ways that Gore impacts your life through the introduction of their discoveries over the years that led to parts that are included into everything from cell phones to medical implants. He also mentioned how W.L. Gore has consistently been named to the list of “100 Best Companies to Work for in the US,” by Fortune Magazine, testament to their “flat” organizational model that emphasizes teamwork, personal responsibility, and the value of long term goals over short term successes.
Jay spoke about the many challenges he faces in managing facilities in many different time zones and geographical areas, spanning the globe. Although travel is a part of his responsibilities, he also discussed using technology to communicate among global partners and colleagues in a virtual environment. Jay talked about Gore's extensive real estate holdings and their ability to expand in the future to take advantage of increasing opportunities and emerging technologies. Jay also talked about the Gore business “culture” that was founded on Bill Gore's four guiding principles that emphasizes fairness, freedom to develop, and commitment to the company; which make working at Gore a great experience.
In addition to several guests, the meeting was attended by more than fifty members, including the two newest members of the Chapter, Nello Paoli from Preferred Electric; and Matthew Mangat of Nason Construction. The Delaware Chapter of IFMA is the premier facility management professional organization for the State of Delaware devoted to furthering the profession of managing around the built environment through education and collaboration.
