Success is built on more than just the parts we fabricate – it’s built on the people behind the final product.
At Estes Design & Manufacturing, we take pride in our ability to find and retain a deep talent pool that reflects the depth and quality of our workforce and is embedded in every production order we fulfill. In today’s market, it’s important to know how to cultivate a positive environment that motivates employees to be at their best. Here’s how we keep this knowledge fresh and active within our company.
Character Comes First
As we recruit new members to our team, we lead with one simple principle: character. Skills can be taught over time, but work ethic and a drive to learn are developed well before someone walks through the door to apply for a position at Estes. Our team utilizes tools like behavioral and cognitive assessments through Predictive Index to help determine if a candidate will thrive in the job they’re applying for. For example, if someone prefers high variety, they may struggle in a repetitive role, and that’s something we work to identify before they ever step onto the shop floor. We’re always looking for self-starters who have the motivation to keep searching for the next task that needs completed, are proactive about their approach to work and share new ideas with us on how we can further improve each process.
Aligning Character with Culture
Looking beyond general job fit, cultural alignment is crucial, and it often tells us more about a candidate’s character. As we interview potential new team members, we listen for what motivates them, what they value and how they generally spend their time outside of work. These conversations help us reveal if someone will mesh well with our work culture. We’re always looking for ways to ensure our employees, whether potential or current, are energized – not drained – by the work they do when choosing to work with us.
Also, as a faith-based company, we believe one of our responsibilities is to serve others with integrity and respect. We use our faith as a guide for how we engage with our employees, customers and the broader community. We recognize and develop individual strengths by fostering a workplace where everyone not only feels valued, but also that their talent is a great fit for their position within the company. Our success isn’t measured only by what we produce, but by the positive impact we have on the people we work alongside each day.
Providing Opportunities to Grow with Us
We believe it’s important to not only invest in our current staff members, but also in the next generation of manufacturers. That’s why we partner with local schools across Indianapolis to give students a firsthand look at what a career with Estes can offer. Through work-based learning opportunities, such as spending an afternoon in our shop with our talented team members, young people can explore the industry, ask questions, and see and develop these skills in action. Our mission is that, through these experiences, the next generation will be inspired to return in the future as skilled, passionate members of the manufacturing industry. We also provide cross-training opportunities to current employees to enhance the flexibility, skill and adaptability of our employees for a more engaged, balanced and educated team.
Retaining Strong Relationships with All Employees
Building and sustaining foundational relationships with our employees is a crucial step in maintaining a field of talented team members and showing them their value to our work. Before direct deposit, Estes’ founder, Larry Estes, would hand-deliver paychecks to every single employee. He would do this as a form of learning and knowing every person on the team through shaking their hand and checking in with each employee one-on-one. Today, we still carry this spirit forward by making a point to know all our employees by name, engaging with them daily and taking the time to connect in meaningful ways. It’s a tradition of personal connection that builds trust, loyalty and a stronger sense of belonging across our entire team.
As a company that has achieved a Central Indiana Top Workplaces award, we truly value the employees we bring on board. Our average tenure is among the highest in our industry because people choose to stay where they feel connected and valued. This is a reflection of the deep bonds between leadership, team members, and peers that define the Estes culture. We’re committed to fostering this sense of belonging by helping employees grow in their current roles while also seeing a future for themselves at Estes. Our approach to building a strong talent pool stems entirely from our belief in retaining real relationships with those we work with by hiring people with strong character, empowering them to grow and treating them like they matter – because they do.
