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, former president, North America
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, former 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
Achieving a sustainable business model is perhaps one of the most difficult and one of the most pressing goals we face. It requires on the part of all of us commitment, action, partnerships and, sometimes, sacrifices of our traditional life patterns and personal interests. Wilsonart, as a global company, can help achieve that goal by promoting sound environmental practices and helping support the heath and wellness of all of our employees and the community.
— Kevin Sweeney, director, environmental, health & safety

Planet

We believe our job as a manufacturer and a citizen of our planet is to contribute to the success and quality of life of our customers and community. Wilsonart and our employees are supporters of many community programs through financial support, in-kind donations, volunteerism and more.

Our annual United Way fund drive, which contributes over $500K to local charitable organizations, always brings out the passion and creativity of our employees. Individuals, groups and entire departments band together to come up with ways to raise money for these good causes. This year, the company is participating in a pilot program to donate over 300 hours of volunteer time to United Way organizations, a challenge from the ITW Foundation which will match that donation with cash.

Wilsonart employees have also come together to raise funds for important facilities like The Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center at Scott & White and the Scott & White Children's Hospital, both in Temple, TX. Employee donations are matched by Wilsonart’s parent company on a 3-for-1 basis. Each employee has a $5,000 limit that can be matched annually.

Our company is lucky enough to have a corporate jet positioned at the Temple airport. While its primary use is to transport customers to visit our plants, see new products and select designs for furniture, fixtures and projects, we also use it as part of the Corporate Angel Network, an American non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to arrange free air travel for cancer patients to treatment centers using the empty seats on corporate aircraft flying on routine business. Over the years, we have provided travel for children in Central Texas to facilities such as St. Jude’s Hospital and the Stanford Medical Center, and transported several family members of the victims of the Ft. Hood Shooting in 2009.

Our Fleet Shop contributes countless hours of service and upkeep to the buses used by Ralph Wilson Youth Club and Belton Christian Youth Center to transport children to afterschool care. And our maintenance staff is often called in to help out with electrical and mechanical services. Our company-owned trucks took supplies, food and water to the New Orleans area during Katrina and to Joplin, Missouri after the tornado. Nearly all of these projects start with individual employee suggestions.

Wilsonart is a proud member of our local Keep America Beautiful affiliate. We support Keep Temple Beautiful programs financially and through the time of our employees. Nationally sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, the Great American Cleanup in 2009 was also a great reason to rev up office and employee recycling programs as well as “campus cleanups” around Temple.

Wilsonart employees started their own recycling program at work, working with Sunbright Recycling. Office waste paper is collected daily from each office and recycled. Large bins located at our Temple facilities allow employees to bring in their own recyclables from home; the bins are collected weekly and taken to a recycling center. Wilsonart is working with other community leaders to start similar programs at other places of business.

These organizations receive support from Wilsonart and its employees in our local community - a combination of time, material or financial donations:

American Cancer Society - Race for the Cure
American Heart Association
Bell County Youth Fair
Belton Christian Youth Center
Central Texas Children’s Center
Cultural Activities Center
Dr. Ralph Wilson Jr. Charity Golf Classic
Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center – Burnett, TX
Habitat for Humanity
Holy Trinity Catholic High School
ITW Scholarship and ITW Foundation
Keep Temple Beautiful
Literacy Council - Temple
MHMR Santa Sack Program

North Texas Food Bank
Our Lady of Angels Maternity Shelter
Ralph Wilson Youth Club
Refurbishment of the Scott & White Blood Mobile
Ronald McDonald House
Scott & White Blood Drive 2 years
Scott & White Hospital
Special Olympics
Susan B Komen Foundation
Temple College
Temple Community Free Clinic
Temple Independent School District
Texas Special Olympics
Transportation of supplies to Joplin, Missouri after the tornado
United Way of Central Texas - Annual Campaign and Day of Caring
Youth athletic programs

Many current and retired employees are currently or have served on the boards of the following:

Academy Independent School District
Bartlett Independent School District
Belton Christian Youth Center
Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium Board
Central Texas Workforce Board
Cultural Activities Center
Keep Temple Beautiful
Ralph Wilson Youth Club
Ronald McDonald House
Scott & White Hospital
Temple Literacy Council
The United Way