Practical common sense is what made Wilsonart International the leading decorative surfacing company we are today. For nearly seven decades we have taken care of our Customers, striving to make them successful. Year in and year out we have incrementally made the Company stronger as well. A third critical leg of our success is grounded in engaging the hearts and the minds of our People allowing the perpetuation of these first two articles of our practicality.
— Bill DiGaetano, president, North America
Responsible manufacturing practices and sensitivity to the managed utilization of our natural resources is embedded in the DNA of Wilsonart International. Environmental stewardship is critically important in the eyes of our customers, we demand that it's important in the eyes of our suppliers and we're proud to say that it is, and always will be important to our organization.
— Russell P. Rogg, director of sales, Flooring
Sustainability represents respect, responsibility, and commitment. Respect for the customer, our employees, and the environment. Responsibility to do the right thing. Commitment to continuous improvement.
— Susan Simpson, controller
Sustainability is the ultimate goal in the evolution of modern manufacturing. To be able to produce high quality goods in a manner that has no waste or negative environmental impact is a win for everyone!
— Ricky Crow, general manager, Adhesives
Sustainability is in Wilsonart's culture. It's about doing the right things for the right reasons. Wilsonart's goal is to be valued as leading advances in sustainability in all the businesses we participate in.
— William R. Booth, vice president, Manufacturing-Laminate, North America
Sustainability will create new business opportunities for both our customers and Wilsonart.
— Ron Gagnon, vice president, product development, design and marketing
Our commitment to Sustainability and keeping both (our) two worlds prosperous and safe are grounded in the same elements of sensible realities; do the right thing, for the right reason every time. Simple words on paper, or undeniable demonstrated actions? The latter is what has and will define Wilsonart International’s conscience – our actions will meet your expectations.
— Bill DiGaetano, president, North America
Sustainable design is integrated design. Understanding the complete requirement for sustainable design allows industry professionals to make product recommendations that are in line with the total desire to minimize environmental impact and create true sustainability.
— Tim Atkinson, vice president, sales
Sustainability will reshape and redefine Wilsonart's business processes and create new opportunities to deliver value for our customers and Wilsonart.
— Ron Gagnon, vice president, product development, design and marketing

President Bill DiGaetano

Video Transcript:

NARRATOR:

When Mr. Ralph Wilson, founded Wilsonart in the 1950’s, he had an unusual way of showing confidence in his people, saying “Well, go ahead, but I don’t think you can do it.”

But, the success of his company showed that they could.

Mr. Ralph truly had a special vision: to serve our people, our company, and our customers.

The formula for accomplishing those has never changed: Do the right things for the right reasons. Provide high quality products and deliver them on time, and never forget that we are an important member of our community.

Serving our community, company and customers has now taken on a broader scope; a worldwide scope.

Sustainability. Using less. Sourcing wisely, saving energy and materials is not a program. It has to become a way of life.

It’s a big challenge, but the long term health of our environment--and our business-- depend on it.

The culture of Wilsonart is reflected by the Ralph Wilson house in Temple, Texas. It’s an original. Forward looking, yet steeped in tradition. These laminates have lasted over 60 years. That’s sustainability.

And so we continue our journey by remembering who we are and where we came from. Mr. Ralph isn’t here to tell us to “go ahead”. But, we know what to do.

BILL DIGAETANO:
PRESIDENT, NORTH AMERICA
WILSONART INTERNATIONAL

We’re involved in sustainability at Wilsonart because the timings right for this. This business, this category, this industry needs a reset—it needs a renewal process. Sustainability is a perfect launching mechanism to get us there. It is something that our people are rallying around already and will continue to rally around. It’s that journey that has no end. So, it’s that perfect vehicle to take us into the future and to recreate our business.

Doing the right thing for the right reason is a tenant in our value systems. I believe it goes back to the very founding of the organization. We practiced common sense, we took care of our people, our people took care of our customers. It is the right thing to take forward in sustainability and it fundamentally says it all—that this the right thing to do for our business, for our people and also for the environment.

Innovation and sustainability are a perfect fit together. We’ve been on this journey for a long, long time and specifically the last 18 months. We have seen a lot of sparks—a lot of sparks creating a little smoke. Not fires yet, but smoke throughout the organization in all parts of the organization. We’ve got people that are starting to look at their businesses differently, starting to look at their areas differently.

I also see sustainability tying back to the community. We’ve always said that it’s important to keep this business strong and healthy for the next generation of people in Temple and in all of locations and there’s a strong history here of doing that. We’ve got multiple engagements and involvements with the Cultural Activities Center, United Way, Keep Temple Beautiful and it does harken back to a time when Ralph Wilson started the youth club here in Temple for the kids.

So the question is Why Sustainabilty? It makes sense for us. It’s the linkage we have to our past with our founder Ralph Wilson. We’re sitting in his house today—the house that he built in the late ‘50’s. It was a showroom as well as an experimental lab for the company. So the house was his investment in building a company that was going to last for a long time. And it’s been a great success story for 50 plus years. We believe sustainability is going to take us the next 50 years.

So now it’s our turn.

NARRATOR:

Doing the right thing for the right reason—it’s that dedication from the people of Wilsonart that will change our business—and the world.