Revitalizing Employee Recognition Across a Growing Workforce

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Amteck, a family-owned construction company with a reputation for incredible employee retention rates in an industry marked by high turnover, has always emphasized the value of its people. But when growth spread its workforce across 13 states, the challenge of maintaining its strong culture and communicating core values became more daunting. Through a partnership with Terryberry, Amteck successfully transformed its employee recognition by delivering Custom Awards, reinforcing its core values and enhancing morale across its distributed workforce.  

Background  

  • Founded in 1977 as a family-run business,  Amteck is one of Kentucky’s largest electrical construction firms, providing design-build electrical construction services for a wide variety of facilities across the United States  
  • Workforce of approximately 1,000 employees spread across the U.S. with offices in 13 states and electrical and construction licensure in 36 states 
  • Recently transitioned to public ownership, requiring a renewed focus on culture and internal communications to support the company’s growth 
  • Strong employee retention rates compared to industry averages, thanks to its decades-long focus on employee recognition.  

"When you think of construction, you might not immediately imagine long careers and strong interpersonal connections. But at Amteck, it's different. We thrive on valuing the contributions and sacrifices our people make every single day," said Matt Noble, Marketing and Communications Manager at Amteck.  

However, maintaining that ethos at scale wasn't easy. "When we asked people about Amteck's core values, only 1 in 10 employees could articulate them correctly. This was a wake-up call, highlighting the need to show appreciation in ways that resonated and aligned with our core values," says Matt.  

 

Challenges  

Like many growing companies, Amteck faced obstacles in scaling employee recognition while retaining the essence of its culture, including:  

  • Lost Connection with Core Values  

Core values were known to leadership but lacked visibility and engagement across the workforce.  

  • Previous Recognition Efforts Fell Flat  

A ring program from the 1990s had been phased out, leaving a gap in structured milestone celebrations.  

  • Distributed Workforce  

With teams spread out geographically, recognition efforts struggled to reach everyone equally.  

  • Data and Logistics Complexity  

Years of transitioning between HR software systems had resulted in fragmented employee milestone records, adding friction to any recognition initiatives.  

  • Lack of Consistency  

Without defined leadership over recognition, efforts often went uncoordinated, which diluted their impact.  

"Our workforce doesn’t have that traditional 'watercooler' experience," Matt explains. "Some team members never meet their colleagues at other job sites or offices. We needed consistent ways to bring people together emotionally, even if they’re physically apart."  

 

Solution  

Amteck partnered with Terryberry to implement a modernized recognition program that upheld the company's values while addressing its unique challenges.  

Key elements of the program included:  

Revival of a Legacy  

The company brought back its iconic ring program with Terryberry , adding modern updates while maintaining nostalgic power of the rings. "The ring manufacturers we used in the 1990’s are no longer in business,” Matt explains. “We wanted to find a new provider who wasn't going anywhere. With Terryberry's 100-year legacy as an industry leader, we knew we could trust that we're in good hands." 

Employees could now choose between traditional designs, modern styles, or a pendant option to suit personal preferences. Those who had received rings decades ago could even update their original rings with new stones symbolizing additional years of service.  

Customizations and Flexibility  

Terryberry facilitated a fast and seamless design process. "The process blew me away," Matt recalls. "It was so easy. I shared photos of what we envisioned, and within days, we had mockups of new designs. Alex from Terryberry made it flexible and stress-free, even when our team couldn’t finalize decisions quickly."  

Executive-Led Distribution  

To make each recognition moment special, executives and senior leaders personally distributed rings, creating impactful one-on-one interactions. These moments were documented through photos and videos and shared in the company's internal newsletter to amplify their resonance.  

Streamlined Logistics  

Recognizing the challenges posed by its distributed workforce, Amteck leveraged Terryberry’s streamlined systems. Rings, personalized for each recipient, were delivered with detailed distribution notes. 

Impact  

The revitalized recognition program quickly became a cultural cornerstone at Amteck, delivering tangible results and meaningful moments.  

Strengthened Core Values  

Within just three months of launching the updated program, nearly 7 out of 10 employees could correctly articulate Amteck’s core values, up from only 1 out of 10.  

Efficient Administration  

Terryberry’s support reduced administrative time spent on recognition programs by 70%, streamlining processes and empowering Amteck to focus on its people.  

Employee Engagement and Pride  

Even the most reserved employees stood up proudly to receive their awards. “The reactions were incredible. People stood straighter, smiled wider, and often became emotional. It surprised me just how much of an impact it had,” Matt shares.  

Participation and Expansion Opportunities  

With 95% participation among eligible employees, the success of the ring program has sparked conversations about introducing new recognition tiers for employees achieving 5 and 10 years of service and additional Terryberry solutions.  

Reflections and Future Aspirations  

While Amteck celebrates the immense success of its revitalized recognition program, Matt acknowledges room for growth. “A unified company event to celebrate milestones would be the cherry on top. But for now, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together with Terryberry.”  

Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its recognition initiatives, building on the momentum of this program. "It feels like we’ve just scratched the surface of what’s possible with Terryberry when it comes to valuing and applauding the people who make Amteck what it is," Matt adds.  

 

Why Amteck Chose Terryberry  

From the onset, Terryberry’s personalized, flexible solutions set it apart from competitors. "Alex and the team really went above and beyond to accommodate our unique needs," Matt says. "They made what could have been a logistical nightmare easy, efficient, and rewarding."  

  • Flexibility: Accommodating custom requests and last-minute changes.  
  • Streamlined Process: Simplified design, ordering, and distribution to save time.  
  • Cultural Alignment: Reinforced Amteck’s emphasis on personalization and care, even for a large workforce.  

Outcomes Summary  

  • 65% increase in employees articulating core values within 3 months.  
  • 85% retention rate among employees with 10+ years of service.  
  • 80+ custom awards in 3 uniquely designed styles;  
    • Replica of the Amteck legacy ring,  
    • Newly designed Amteck ring,  
    • Amteck pendants  
  • 80+ rings awarded across 13 states with personal, meaningful moments.  
  • 70% reduction in program administration time.  

Reinforcing Values with Recognition 

Amteck’s revitalized recognition program exemplifies how even large, distributed companies can maintain a deeply personal and impactful culture of appreciation. With support from Terryberry, Amteck has stayed true to its values while adapting to the challenges of rapid growth.  

Interested in creating your own meaningful recognition through a Custom Awards program? Find out how Terryberry can help bring your company’s culture to life by contacting us today.