Seeing is Believing

Article and Photos by Jessica McCafferty

Let’s be totally honest, this started out as a very different article. For years now Schluter Systems has been one of the largest employers in the area due to the scale of their operation. One of the most talked about “pros” of employment there was a very competitive starting wage and regular bonuses. The standard reply to what kind of employer they are is “It’s a great place to work” but no one ever elaborated. This issue of Strictly Business seemed like the perfect opportunity to get those details, but still the right questions weren’t asked. Until you have toured their mini metropolis and met the people that make things move, it all kind of sounds like any other warehouse because it’s not necessarily policy and payroll that sets them apart.

Werner Schluter’s German company, Schluter Tile, came to Plattsburgh in 1989. Its first U.S. operation was housed in a 13,000 square foot building and manned by a mere two employees — a far cry from the Schluter Systems of today.

Thinking of the future from the beginning, the company purchased a 70 acre swath of land in Plattsburgh spanning from Pleasant Ridge Road to Interstate 87. When Strictly Business first wrote about the company in April of 2000, it was on its third expansion, employment had grown to 28 and the name had been changed to Schluter Systems to better represent its expanding product line.

SB recently spoke with Steffaney Forkey, part of Schluter Systems L.P.’s Human Resource Department, about what draws in local talent and what keeps them. “Schluter’s strong reputation as an employer is a major draw,” Forkey noted. “People often know someone who works here or have heard positive things about us. It’s humbling to be part of an organization so positively viewed and involved in the community,” she smiled.

Forkey provided a guided tour of their inner workings. The Schluter Systems main offices are spacious and bright. Their stairwells run on exterior glass walls and the majority of the work spaces in this building have large windows. Flourishing plants and personal touches give you a glimpse at the personalities that occupy these spaces.

When asked about the several empty or clearly unoccupied spaces Forkey noted that they had a fair number of people that worked from home but that the rest were for when they needed it. “Unlike some companies that would consider it wasted space, we consider it an asset,” smiled Forkey. A preparedness for growth that gives you that “we’ve been waiting for you” feel.

As we left the main office building, headed for the crosswalk to the original building, there was an umbrella stand with orange Schluter umbrellas. Forkey commented that they were at the various entries for when you needed to pass between the buildings in inclement weather.

Once out in the warehouse the operation was pretty standard, no big surprise, with fulfillment, pick, pack, staging and shipping areas but even this original section was bright, clean, well marked and maintained with new equipment.

As we walked through the vast concrete and metal landscape dotted with high visibility vests and smiles Forkey told me of The Bridge. “Previously the production and inventory warehouses were not connected so we would have to load a truck with finished product at one building and drive it to the other and unload. It was a lot of extra work.”

Connecting the buildings was an obvious solution but Schluter Systems took it a step further and automated the whole process. Completed products are now transferred by automated movers via “The Bridge” from the production warehouse to the inventory warehouse receiving area. Freeing up employees for more crucial responsibilities.

Our tour continued as we traveled the pedestrian portion of the bridge to the production warehouse. The domain of one of the most culturally influential people in the place. Todd Bouchard, the production warehouse manager, is known for his generous caring nature and the ability to make things fun!

Bouchard joined the company shortly after the pandemic.”People were still struggling so at Thanksgiving I went and bought a bunch of turkeys and stocked a freezer for anyone that needed it.” Bouchard shared. The meat freezer was met with such positivity that Bouchard worked to continue the access throughout the year. The departments all nominate someone to receive ingredients for a dinner for four each month. Recipients get a cut of meat, vegetables and a side dish.

It’s apparent that Bouchard’s focus is on supporting the staff. His office has a homey feel and he believes in an open door policy. “People come by for a snack or sugar pick me up and to check in.” shared Bouchard. However it’s not just candy and chit chat, “There have been some very real conversations in here, I am not here to judge, just do what I can to help them on their journey” he added. Bouchard even has clothing donations available if someone can utilize them.

A kid at heart, Bouchard also loves decorating for the holidays and his team has shown great ingenuity with production scraps. This past Christmas the production warehouse was turned into a winter wonderland. One of the machines was decorated to look like a train in which finished parts came out the front. It was dubbed “The Schluter Express” There were trees, a sled and packages; and Bouchard was in the middle of it all dressed as Ralphie from A Christmas Story.

We wrapped up our tour back in the main building in the office of the CFO to get approval for the pictures taken. We were actually delaying an executive meeting and yet no one seemed to care. Everyone was welcoming and saying “ Steffaney, did you show her …?”

So originally this article told you about Schluter Systems Human Resources open door policy, the various forms of communications they use to keep their staff informed, their holiday parties and company events, and how their numbers had grown but it’s so much more. It is what each of their employees bring with them each day.

It’s the CFO in the bright abstract shirt and snake skin cowboy boots, it’s the umbrellas by the doors and the work spaces full of personality. It’s the Mamava pods tucked in corners for breastfeeding moms and the “Meat Freezer” for those that need a little help and it’s that ear that will listen and do what it can to help.

I will leave you with this last bit, one of those two original employees is still there after all these years. He wanted no recognition, no photo, no quote and in the politest decline I have received to date he said “It’s not about me, the important people are out there” and pointed to the warehouse.

Schluter Systems

194 Pleasant Ridge Road

Plattsburgh, NY 12901

888-472-4588

www.schluter.com