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When the Subject is Culture - Talk can be Cheap

At TLC we live our culture every day. It's in our core. It's part of what makes us unique. Here is a glimpse of that culture, broken down into 20 key elements that we call our 'Points of Culture'. After each is a single PROOF statement, giving an example of how we live these points of culture every day.

1. Demand a safe workplace

Proof: Our Holland MI facility has gone over 27 years without a workplace injury. All TLC operations rank among the safest in the industry.

2. Remain entrepreneurial

Proof: Flat organizational structures and empowered associates enable us to infuse our process-oriented company with a continuous stream of innovation. It's good to break things - to make them better.

3. No bureaucracy

Proof: We empower Associates to make decisions and take actions that are in the best interest of the customer and our business. Make it happen.

4. Be an employer of choice

Proof: We attract top talent from around the industry. They come to TLC for the rewarding and dynamic environment - and to be part of one of the best teams in our industry.

5. Be a vendor of choice

Proof: In a highly price-conscious industry we attract some of the best companies from around the world - and all of them will tell you that what sets TLC apart has little to do with price.

6. Promote a non-union environment

Proof: By paying a competitive market wage, investing in employee training, empowering Associates, rewarding individual performance, and promoting from within we create a performance-oriented environment where our people can thrive.

7. Develop people for success

Proof: We invest in our people - both to enable them to become more valuable to the enterprise and to advance their careers.

8. Create opportunities for our employees

Proof: Our fast track programs identify rising talent, invest in ongoing development and then we promote from within. We do this at all levels. Associates can rise as fast and far as their abilities will take them.

9. Create culture “open” to all ideas

Proof: Our continuous improvement program (PIT), in the past three years, has produced over 10,000 IMPLEMENTED new ideas with a total savings of over $16 million dollars for our customers.

10. Exceed our customers' expectations

Proof: Year-over-year awards from customers for outstanding network and facility performance. TLC is a best-in-class operator in ways that add value to customers' supply chains.

11. Always be fair

Proof: Our empowered culture rests upon respect for the individual. This requires fairness and predictable outcomes for all Associates, customers and other stakeholders.

12. Remember the customer in all we do

Proof: Our engagements are based upon customer-driven KPI's. We must deliver new value year-over-year. Our Associates are rewarded on customer-centered performance goals.

13. Stay flexible

Proof: Our reporting, visibility and compliance systems are designed to deliver the information our customers demand. Each is customized to meet the needs of that particular instance.

14. Be a learning organization

Proof: We invest heavily every year in keeping our people current and ahead of the curve. We run TLC-U and also participate aggressively in associations, exposing our associates to the best ideas and minds in our indstry.

15. Fairly reward our people

Proof: Our turnover in our facility business is 25% under the industry norm. Our turnover in transportation is 60% below the industry average. Fair compensation is one element in this retention.

16. Create a winning atmosphere

Proof: Visit a facility. Any facility. They sparkle. They buzz. They hum. This comes from a motivated and empowered workforce, all focused on clear and common goals.

17. Create shareholder value

Proof: We have always been a strong and profitable company. This stems from a philosophy of conservative growth, service to the customer, respect for the individual and a fair return to our shareholders.

18. Be good members of our communities

Proof: We invest in and give back to the communities in which we serve. Associates in each market influence which causes and issues we can best influence.

19. Be respected by our competitors

We are not envied ... but admired. We can tell you about our reputation but the best way to verify this is to ask our customers and competitors.

20. HAVE FUN

Proof: Work hard. Play hard. Our work environments are serious places but we never take ourselves too seriously. Ask an associate. TLC is a fun place to work.