Simmons Bedding Company is Named to Fortune Magazine's List of the 100 Best Companies to Work for.
ATLANTA, (December 30, 2003) – Simmons Company, headquartered in Atlanta Georgia with manufacturing operations in 19 cities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, has been named to FORTUNE Magazine's 2004 list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For" in its January issue. This is the first time Simmons has appeared on FORTUNE's list, selected from a field of more than 300 candidate companies that were nominated for this recognition. FORTUNE's selection is based on answers provided to a survey that was randomly distributed to company employees and the magazine's evaluation of the company in the areas of culture, compensation and benefits, work-life balance programs, opportunities for individual growth, job security and pride in the company. When announcing this prestigious recognition to company associates, Simmons Company Chairman Charlie Eitel commented that, "this is the ultimate honor for a company and especially meaningful in that Simmons was nominated for this recognition by one of our suppliers. A company is nothing without great people, and if you want to grow a company... grow the people. Our goal has been to attract and keep great people by creating an environment where people want to get up every day and come to work, as well as a company that other companies and people want to do business with. Being included as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" is recognition that we are creating this kind of environment." In early 2000, fifty-plus Simmons executives from across the country assembled to create a new strategic direction for the company and develop a plan on how to get there. This group formalized the company's purpose, "Better Sleep," along with the company's vision statements and values for the way they wanted stakeholders to view the company. Vision statements were created for every one of the company stakeholders, including company associates, consumers, retailers, suppliers and community. The acronym C.H.O.I.C.E.S. evolved out of that meeting as the company values that provide guidance and goal alignment for the future of this 133-year-old company. The acronym C.H.O.I.C.E.S. stands for Caring, History, Opportunity, Innovation, Customers, Empowerment and Support. C.H.O.I.C.E.S. also recognizes that we make CHOICES everyday that impact the lives of the people we come in contact with. "The ultimate recognition of our culture is our selection by FORTUNE Magazine as being a great place to work" commented Eitel. "Over the last five years, associates of Simmons have more than doubled the value of the company, as evidenced in our recent acquisition by Thomas H Lee Partners. We have grown shareholder value and market share at the same time we have created an environment and culture that encourages people to think outside of the box and work as empowered individuals to do what they know is the right way to conduct business. All 3,000-plus associates across all 19 plants share a great sense of pride in being recognized by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." Atlanta-based Simmons Company is one of the world's largest mattress manufacturers, manufacturing and marketing a broad range of products including Beautyrest®, BackCare®, BackCare Kids™, Olympic® Queen, Deep Sleep® and
säng™. The Company operates 19 plants throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Simmons is committed to helping consumers attain a higher quality of sleep and supports that mission through its Better Sleep Through Science® philosophy, which includes developing superior mattresses and promoting a sound and smart sleep routine. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at www.simmons.com.