Barnes Group Reviews

Pros

Location, access to leadership. fun activities.

Cons

Employees are not always treated with respect by managers.
Managers get away with bad behavior and are rewarded.
Managers not held to the same standard as employees.

Advice to Senior Management

get rid of the bad apples.

Pros

Felixble Schedule, seeing clients and helping them out, lots of autonomy if you are hitting your goals, industrial dress code. I actually liked the job and was successful at it.

Cons

Constant Price increases, commission rates based on jacking prices up on the customers, pay is pretty bad, management is the worst of any company I've ever worked for, trying to fit all customers into "VMI" even though alot of companies do not want this (lose alot of sales b/c of this), bad reputation in the market b/c of shady reps

Advice to Senior Management

Hire some managers with experience. Fastenal has crazy turnover so I'm sure you could find some there. Promoting from with in would help too. Also to Senior Management, get off your computers/conference calls and get in the field. Don't just come see us when we have "big meetings", but ride with us on a regular day. Had 2 of these with my manager in 2 years with the company. 1/2 the time I couldn't get anyone on the phone. One last thing is if you're promoting "sales growth" you need to let out to pasture these old man reps. These guys have been doing this for 20-30-40 years, you actually think they're going to make a cold call or drum up new business?

Pros

Good Company, I was put into a very bad situation.

Cons

Should never put a new rep into a scratch territory

Advice to Senior Management

Have defined territories for reps

Pros

Company uses to its advantage self motivated sales people by offering commission dollars and freedom of work schedule.

Cons

commission rate (compared to the price level structure) has been raided by senior mgt

Advice to Senior Management

Review commission rates and purge sales force of people who are not suited for this job. Stop milking commissions from the 5 decimal place pricing structure. Stop copy catting the Fastenal way of treating employees.

Pros

All Non-sales/non-union employees are bonus eligible, unique in industry. Very competitive benefits package. Management places significant emphasis on development programs. Opportunity to gain financial security with restricted stock and options for eligible employees.

Cons

Demanding culture, very process driven.

Advice to Senior Management

Stay focused on management development and promotions from within. Grow the company faster with acquisitions.

Pros

Corporate support
Abundant up to date sales materials
Excellent communication technologies and systems
Excellent paid training at HQ
Great benefits

Cons

Some regional, BDS's and market managers play favorites and will stab you in the back while smiling in our face.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop letting Business Development Specialist control who gets what account.
Work with the sales guys instead talking behind their backs like you're still in eighth grade.

Pros

Experience in the MRO industry

Cons

Terrible management and communication with employees.

Advice to Senior Management

Get your act together

Pros

Flexible work schedule. Able to work from home.

Cons

Extremely high turnover within middle and upper managment. Technology inferstructure is outdated and SLOW! Sales reps wait on hold for up to an hour for customer service . Reduced expence/gas rembursment to flat rate that is not close to being accurate. All extra gas and expence comes out of Rep's pocket. Zero contact with your direct manager.

Advice to Senior Management

Management has lost touch with the sales force. Stop with the useless meetings and conference calls to pat yourselves on the back. get in the field and find out what is really going on.

Pros

Good support and communication among reps and middle management.
Barnes is always looking to better the benefits of the employees.

Cons

There is a lot of turnover, some because of changes instituted by upper management.
During inclimate weather, it can be risky to do your job.

Pros

Great Benefits and pension plans.

Cons

Poor leadership from upper management