W. L. Gore & Associates Continues Its Tradition as One of Nation's Best Workplaces

NEWARK, Del., Jan. 20, 2011  /PRNewswire/ -- With its unique, non-hierarchical, team-based culture, global manufacturing company W. L. Gore & Associates has once again earned a spot on FORTUNE magazine's annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America. The company is ranked No. 31. This marks Gore's 14th consecutive appearance on the list, making it one of a select few workplaces to appear in every edition of the rankings.

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Since its founding in 1958, Gore has avoided traditional hierarchy, opting instead for a team-based environment that fosters personal initiative, encourages innovation and promotes direct person-to-person communication among all associates. Decisions are based on knowledge and experience, rather than title or particular position. And all associates are encouraged to grow in knowledge, skill and responsibility, and to make their own commitments. This unique corporate structure has proven to be a significant contributor to associate satisfaction, as well as a driving force behind the company's success.  

"Our culture helps ensure that we're maximizing the talent and creativity of our associates," says Gore CEO Terri Kelly. "In more traditional management settings, people can feel confined by narrowly defined titles and roles. However, at Gore we encourage associates to actively define their own commitments by matching their skills and interests with business needs. This type of work environment creates a strong sense of ownership, promotes ingenuity and ultimately enables us to bring unique, high-value products to market."

Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of products for the electronics, fabrics, industrial and medical markets. Perhaps best known for waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric, the company's portfolio features a diverse array of innovations, including everything from guitar strings to life-saving cardiovascular devices and wires and cables used in space missions.

In addition to appearing on all of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work for in America lists, Gore earned recognition in three earlier books by the same name. The company is also consistently named a top workplace in a number of other countries.

Gore is headquartered in Newark, Del., posts annual sales of $2.7 billion, and employs more than 9,000 associates in 30 countries worldwide. Visit www.gore.com to learn more and www.gore.com/careers to find career opportunities with Gore.

About the FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For" List

To pick the 100 Best Companies to Work For, FORTUNE partners with the Great Place to Work Institute to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America. Three hundred eleven companies participated in this year's survey. Two-thirds of a company's score is based on the results of the Institute's Trust Index survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees from each company. The survey asks questions related to their attitudes about management's credibility, job satisfaction, and camaraderie. The other third of the scoring is based on the company's responses to the Institute's Culture Audit, which includes detailed questions about pay and benefit programs and a series of open-ended questions about hiring practices, internal communications, training, recognition programs and diversity efforts. Any company that is at least seven years old with more than 1,000 U.S. employees is eligible.

SOURCE W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.