Arlington, Va., September 25, 2000 -- The Council of Better Business Bureaus today announced the winners of the 2000 Better Business Bureaus’ National Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. Selected by an independent panel of judges, the four winning companies are: CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Vernon Hills, IL), Commerce Bank & Trust (Topeka, KS), Dakota-K Auto Repair & Tire Center (Arlington Heights, IL), and Stephen C. Gidley, Inc. (Darien, CT).
Presented annually since 1995, the BBB National Torch Award honors businesses that demonstrate exceedingly high standards of behavior toward customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and communities; adherence to truthful and honorable advertising and sales practices; and, an earned reputation for noteworthy contributions to their industries and the communities in which they do business. To date, only 16 businesses have been honored with the BBB National Torch Award.
Six companies received honorable mention awards this year: GuideOne Insurance (West Des Moines, IA), United Supermarkets, Inc. (Lubbock, TX), Roel Construction, Inc.(San Diego, CA), Campbell’s Nurseries and Garden Centers (Lincoln, NE), Roe Motors, Inc. (Grants Pass, OR), and Delcambre’s Ragin Cajun Restaurant (Seattle, WA).
“These companies set an example for businesses of all sizes to follow, and we applaud their unique contributions to upholding a fair and honest marketplace,” said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), the umbrella organization for the nation’s 130 Better Business Bureaus (BBBs).
“The winners of the 2000 National Torch Award competition are remarkable for the extraordinary energy, imagination and talent they devote to exceeding the expectations of their customers, employees, suppliers, stakeholders and surrounding communities,” said Calvin J. Collier, chair of the CBBB and senior vice president and general counsel/corporate affairs, Krafts Foods, Inc. “They are proof positive that businesses that do good, will do well, particularly in today’s competitive marketplace.”
Accepting the BBB National Torch Award on behalf of the winning companies were: Michael Krasny, chair and CEO, CDW Computer Centers, Inc.; Duane Fager, president, Commerce Bank & Trust; Neil Koebernick, president, Dakota-K Auto Repair & Tire Center; and Stephen Gidley, president, Stephen C. Gidley, Inc.
About the Winners:
CDW Computer Centers, Inc. (Catg. I, more than 1,000 employees) in Vernon Hills, IL is a leading direct solutions provider of customized computing solutions for businesses and consumers. The company’s actions are grounded in the “CDW Circle of Service” philosophy; everything it does revolves around the customer. Its generous employee benefits earned it recognition from Fortune Magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.” Vendors are offered workspace at CDW headquarters to ensure close working relationships, and throughout its 16-year history, the company has built a strong presence in the community through its ethical, socially conscience business practices and support of local charities. CDW was awarded the local Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics by the BBB, Chicago, IL in 1998.
Commerce Bank & Trust (Catg. II, 100 - 999 employees) in Topeka, KS has been a model of stability and integrity for more than 40 years. It has pioneered many innovative banking services and locates facilities in every part of the city to serve all residents, regardless of income, age or ethnicity. Its “Free Checking” program makes complete basic banking services affordable to all. The bank conducts a service awards and biannual incentive plan for all employees. Commerce believes that providing loans and advice to small business owners to help build their businesses in turn spurs community economic growth. It has played a critical role in helping to fund civic projects, and earned repeated recognition for its contributions to the community and its industry. Commerce Bank & Trust was awarded the local Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics by the BBB, Topeka, KS in 1999.
Dakota-K Auto Repair and Tire Center (Catg. III, 11 - 99 employees) in Arlington Heights, IL actively serves as a positive role model for the auto repair industry. Started in 1974, this family-owned business stands behind its work, refusing to sell something that isn’t needed and willingly admitting errors if they arise. Its friendly, well-informed mechanics and service advisors are easily accessible to answer questions and work closely with the customer to find the root cause of problems. The company maintains excellent relationships with suppliers, partnering with them to actively track product defect ratios. Dakota-K provides a safe working environment and excellent benefits and training for its staff and technicians. The business hires local high school students and donates facilities and staff for community fund-raising projects. Dakota-K was awarded the local Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics by the BBB, Chicago, IL in 1998.
Stephen C. Gidley, Inc. (Categ. IV, 1 - 10 employees) in Darien, Connecticut practices the principles of honesty and integrity. For more than 32 years this remodeling contractor’s motto has been to “build in peace of mind.” Gidley stands behind its workmanship, products and services, and its sales practices embody the principles of implicit fairness and complete disclosure of all cost figures. Its attention to details is impressive, leading to a miniscule callback rate on installations. Dedicated to putting ethics ahead of profit, the company contracts with the highest quality subcontractors, after carefully investigating the quality of their work and financial stability. Gidley is actively involved in community service projects, and the home contracting/remodeling industry has honored the company’s upstanding reputation several times. Gidley earned the “Excellence in Customer Relations” award from the BBB of Connecticut in 1996.
About the Award: Each year, more than 2,000 businesses are nominated by customers, employees, competitors and industry groups to enter local Torch Award competitions conducted by BBBs in every region of the country. Winners of the local competitions are forwarded for consideration among other business entries in the national competition. An independent panel of judges with expertise in business ethics evaluates the entries against specific criteria, selecting as winners companies from four size categories.
The Judging: The award-winning companies were selected by an independent panel of business ethics experts: Robert Abt, president & CEO of Abt Electronics & Appliance, 1998 BBB National Torch Award Honorable Mention; Allen Beatty, senior vice president (retired), Council of Better Business Bureaus; Kathleen Calligan, CEO of the BBB of Middle Tennessee; Laura Nash, director, Institute for Values-Centered Leadership, Harvard Divinity School; and Dr. John Yost, professor, Bradley University.
Previous Recipients: Established in 1995, previous winners of the national Torch Award competition include: Sony Electronics, Inc. of Park Ridge, NJ, Dollar General Corporation, Nashville, TN, Praxair, Inc. of Danbury, CT, and IBM Corporation, Inc. of Armonk, NY (large size companies); Certified Transmission Rebuilders, Inc. of Omaha, NE, Jordan’s Furniture of Avon, MA, Highlights for Children, Inc. of Columbus, OH, and Neil Kelly Company of Portland, OR (medium size companies); and, E.E. Ward Transfer & Storage of Columbus, OH, Cuglewski, Timko & Associates, D.D.S., Inc. of Parma, OH, Fletcher Communications of Waco, TX, and Automation Systems International, Inc. of Longview, TX (small size companies).
