Type of business: Consumer products, industrial adhesives and sealants
Connecticut employees: 400
Connecticut locations: 1
Headquarters: Rocky Hill
Company contact: Angeline Querido, human resources manager
Top local executive: Julian O. Colquitt, president – Technologies North America
Founded: 1876
Julian Colquitt, president of technologies for Henkel in North America, likes to tell prospective employees, “I can’t predict your future, but I can tell you this – you’ll never be bored. It’s an ever changing company in an ever changing environment, and it’s the reason it has survived and thrived for more than 130 years.”
Colquitt has seen more than his share of changes in his 32 years at Henkel. His depth of experience was called upon more than ever in 2009 as Henkel adjusted to a changing world economy. Henkel is a global FORTUNE 500 company of more that 52,000 employees. It is headquartered in Germany and has offices in 70 countries doing business in more than 125. The company’s brands are among the world’s most recognizable in consumer laundry, home and personal care and in industrial adhesives, sealants and surface treatments. A corporate reorganization made necessary by a slowing world economy resulted in a significant reduction of Henkel’s worldwide headcount. Colquitt heads the North American Technologies division, located in Rocky Hill.
“We’re heavy into automotive, electronics, medical, housing, construction. All markets were impacted,” he said. “But as a company, we reacted before many of our contemporaries. We succeeded during the reorganization because we practice a very open and proactive communication style. As a result, we had no issues. We telegraph everything we do and inform and involve our employees every step of the way. When we know something, we share it with employees, whether the information is positive or less than positive, gain their input, make the decisions and move on. As a result, they responded remarkably. There’s tremendous camaraderie here and that makes it easier to move forward. We’re going to have a great 2010.”
Angeline Querido, Henkel’s human resources manager, understands the value of the company’s open communication style through the eyes of employees she deals with daily.
“There is a tremendous amount of trust and confidence in our leadership that is a direct result of good communications. Employees know that the leadership is going to do what is right for the company and fair for employees, even during difficult periods. This is why our employees are as committed as they are, why they worked so hard during a period of great uncertainty and why they stay once they’re hired,” she said, noting the company’s 1.3 percent voluntary turnover rate during the past several years.
Querido said that the typical employee at the Rocky Hill location has been with the company for about 12 years, adding that 50 percent of employees have been with the company for more that 10 years, and 22 percent have been with the company 20 or more.
“There’s a reason for that,” she explained. “We never stop investing in our employees and making them feel they’re a valued part of the company, and they respond to that.”
“After 32 years,” said Colquitt, “I still think Henkel is a fun and rewarding place to work. Many companies don’t reference ‘careers’ anymore, but I still believe there are great career opportunities here. It’s a company that recognizes achievement. We’re a fast growing consumer goods company, and company with a global footprint. We’ll take you where you want to go.”
