Great Lakes is Certified Evergreen
TO GREAT LAKES 200 EMPLOYEE OWNERS, BEING CERTIFIED EVERGREEN MEANS CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO QUALITY, GROWTH, AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.
What does being Certified Evergreen mean to our customers?
Great Lakes has a long history of supporting, educating, and advising customers as valued partners.
As an Evergreen company, Great Lakes is recognized for that foundational tenet and for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to building lasting relationships grounded in trust, quality, and shared success.
Since 1967, Great Lakes has subscribed to the idea that PEOPLE FIRST is the key to longevity and success:
Thus “Our Vision” represents that commitment:
- Delight our customers
- Respect and help our co-workers
John Ende
President & CEO
Employee Owner
“As an employee-owned company, becoming Certified Evergreen is a natural progression for Great Lakes,” said John Ende, Great Lakes’ president and CEO. “Great Lakes embodies principles of long-term sustainability and consistent commitment to social, ethical, and economical practices. We take immense pride in the designation by Tugboat.”
Evergreen companies represent a high standard of business excellence based on seven principles including: Purpose, Perseverance, People First, Private Ownership, Profit, Paced Growth, and Pragmatic Innovation. “Great Lakes employee owners believe in a shared vision in which the ESOP unites all of us in our planning, execution, and success. It encourages strategic long-term decision-making which in turn leads to more job security, more engaged and committed colleagues, and continued sustainability” said Ende.
What does it mean to be Certified Evergreen?
Companies that are recognized as Certified Evergreen have undergone an extensive, rigorous assessment with the intention of continual improvement and enduring excellence around values, practices, and people. Certified Evergreen companies prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term profits and are committed to maintaining the health of their organizations, employees, and communities. Evergreen companies subscribe to fundamental standards that are described by the Tugboat Institute* as the Evergreen Seven Ps:
- Operate with PURPOSE
- Demonstrate PERSEVERANCE
- Embrace a PEOPLE FIRST approach to business
- Maintain PRIVATE ownership
- Generate healthy PROFIT levels
- Achieve PACED growth
- Pursue PRAGMATIC INNOVATION
Emphasizing these principles ensures that the company not only survives but thrives, continuously adapting to changes in the industry while staying true to foundational values.
How did Great Lakes become Certified Evergreen?
Great Lakes pursued certification by way of an assessment and evaluation by Tugboat Institute. The assessment is based on data we provided and through a company-wide survey distributed to all employees. The assessment looked at our company history, track record, culture, rewards, innovation, people metrics, financial performance, and future readiness.
What is the Tugboat Institute?
Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Sun Valley, Idaho, Tugboat Institute® provides Evergreen companies support, expertise, and guidance in building and scaling private, profitable, enduring, and market-leading businesses that make a dent in the universe. As the unrivaled resource and expert body representing the Evergreen movement, Tugboat Institute shares best practices, develops content, hosts gatherings, and creates in-person and online learning opportunities for Evergreen leaders and their teams.
