My decision to pursue a Master’s of Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M made a big difference in my career. In this rigorous two-year program, I learned strategic thinking, developed business acumen, as well as executive presence, and demonstrated focus and determination – all while working full time. Upon completion, I was well prepared for advancement opportunities at Puffer-Sweiven. Earning my master’s degree was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. And thanks to Puffer-Sweiven’s education reimbursement program, my tuition and fees were covered. No regrets!
Kim Summers
Account Manager, Master of Industrial Distribution
Class of 2018, Texas A&M University College of Engineering
We keep Puffer-Sweiven employees energized with a personal support system, including:
Since its founding in 1945, Puffer-Sweiven has been a 100% employee-owned company. Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) offers ownership to everyone, regardless of position or title.
As a shareholder, you have a stake in our company’s future and share in our financial success as you plan for retirement. Best of all, you won’t be contributing your own money. The ESOP benefit is funded completely by Puffer-Sweiven through an annual contribution based on a percentage of your eligible earnings each year.
We take pride in the supportive environment we cultivate for our employees through regular social gatherings at work and in the community through shared activities and experiences. Service awards, employee excellence awareness, and a family-oriented culture all contribute to our average employment tenure of eight years that exceeds industry averages. We are proud that many of our employees make their careers here, bringing decades of world-class knowledge to our clients’ projects.
As an employee-owned company, we empower our teams to exceed expectations and drive exceptional customer experiences with each project.
Our success is built by our employees and cultivated by the vision of our leadership team. Together, they drive the strategic decisions that support and spur on the industry-leading innovations and improvements that set new quality standards and technological advancements year on year.
A career at Puffer-Sweiven is more than a job; it’s a journey filled with learning and development opportunities to help you excel in your field and explore other areas of interest within the company.
Our Learning Management System (LMS) and Emerson’s ProcessWorld offers you 24/7 access to hundreds of online courses, including Emerson Products and Systems specific courses, as well as skills training in sales, customer service, and leadership development.
Plus, we offer training opportunities through third party providers to help you expand your industry knowledge, stay current in your field, and continue to learn throughout your career. And, we provide up to 100% tuition reimbursement for successful completion of approved academic and vocational courses that support Puffer-Sweiven’s business.
Giving credit where credit is due is an important part of the Puffer-Sweiven experience. While collaboration is a core trait all our employees support, our leaders regularly recognize employees who have gone above and beyond daily expectations. For these, we created two company awards that give our employees and leaders a voice to recognize their teammates for extraordinary efforts.
We are dedicated to fostering a work environment where employees are respected and valued for their differences.
Puffer-Sweiven is guided by the principles of non-discrimination, respect for human rights, and individual freedoms. We strive to create an atmosphere where employees can perform at their highest potential. Treating each other with dignity and respect is the foundation of good business conduct and fosters a safe and productive workplace that sets us apart from our competition.
Our employees are dedicated to helping others, and created the PS Give Committee to help Puffer-Sweiven make a positive impact on our communities. Employees can serve directly on the committee, coordinating volunteer activities for Puffer family and friends or simply participate in many company-sponsored activities and programs including:
As PS Give committee members, we also organize to help our employees whenever the unexpected happens.
During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, we organized work crews to clean out flooded homes and established the Puffer- Sweiven disaster relief Fund, raising more than $300,000 to address employees’ property damage not covered by insurance.
We take an active role protecting our environment and incorporate good sustainability practices through reduction and recycling at all of our locations.
Our PS Go Green Team enables employees at each facility to meet regularly to review sustainability measurements, identify improvement opportunities and communicate new conservation initiatives and ideas to the company.
Each of us is dedicated to collaborating with customers to meet today’s automation needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet the needs of tomorrow.
As employees and co-owners of Puffer-Sweiven, we conduct ourselves with honesty and Integrity, achieving Company goals solely through honorable actions.
Our Commitment to the Company, each other, our principal manufacturers and customers demonstrates our willingness to go the “extra mile” by doing whatever it takes safely to get the job done correctly—the first time, every time.
Through Teamwork and collaboration, we work together to accomplish the shared goals and vision of our Company. We value and encourage the unique talents, contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of all our employees.
We are Customer Centric, collaborating with our customers to offer individualized solutions and partnering with our principals to create value and deliver quality products and services. As owners of the Company, we work collectively to provide the Ideal Customer Experience.
I wanted to be the example and I wanted to provide as well. Through this opportunity of going back to school, they promoted me to a sales associate, which was life changing for my family.
Puffer-Sweiven provides tremendous opportunities and a chance to cultivate your career. Fulfilled employees make for satisfied customers... that's why we're a leader in the industry!
We're committed to hiring and promoting employees based on talent and merit. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination and representative of the marketplace and the communities in which we operate, and provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants in all steps of the employment process. This leads to better results for employees, customers, and suppliers.