Graco – “Enjoyable and challenging place to work”

Pros

Graco offers a strong committment to new product development compared to other industrial/commercial products manufacturers. Many specialized products are produced for smaller markets which limits competition and improves overall profitability. Some key technologies are leveraged across divisions where possible to reduce development time/expense as well as cost. Organization is not so lean on resources as to be dysfunctional. Strong committment to providing essential resources to get things done effectively and in a timely manner.

Cons

Ratio of senior level/mid-level management to staff is too high relative to size of organization and individual business units. Global regions act autonomously and are often not accountable or in agreement with implementing key strategic initiatives. Slow in implementing common business systems among operations including newly acquired businesses. No perceived strong cohesive corporate effort to leverage organizational power to fully leverage distribution channel across all businesses

Advice to Senior Management

Achieve improvied results by:

- Rewarding greater collaboration between business units on common technologies and leveraging distribution channel
- More effectively implement strategic initiatives across regions and establish accountability
- Develop a faster approach to integrating existing and new business utilizing a common business system