Page 9 - Coats & Clark

Coats & Clark | 9
global scale, and to such a degree that they
can effectively anticipate change before it
fully occurs, thereby capitalizing on it more
rapidly. Laurie says this is accomplished, in
large part, through the long reach of their
relationships and communications with re-
tailers throughout the world. He also cred-
its their participation in international trade
fairs, conducting consumer studies and em-
powering the company’s product develop-
ment team, which all combines to help them
maintain, as Laurie indicates, “a finger on the
pulse.”
Their analysis of external matters may
only be outmatched by the emphasis they
place on measuring and monitoring inter-
nally. This, in itself, involves constant com-
munication with staff at all levels of engage-
ment. In fact, when it comes to the surveys
used to elicit employee suggestions and feed-
back on workplace issues, Coats & Clark
achieves participation rates which are well
above industry averages.
Their training practices do not only
involve the safe operation of equipment
through all operations, but also include
workshops on ethics and principled profes-
sionalism.
And by being part of a global organiza-
tion driving economic development in com-