Michigan Company Announces $4 Million in Bonuses to Employees

Zachary Stieber
By Zachary Stieber
December 18, 2018Business News
share
Michigan Company Announces $4 Million in Bonuses to Employees
Employees speak with FloraCraft owner Lee Schoenherr after he announced plans to give out $4 million in bonuses on Dec. 17, 2018. (FloraCraft)

A company in Michigan announced that it would be handing out $4 million in bonuses to employees ahead of Christmas.

FloraCraft, based in Ludington, has 200 employees.

Owner Lee Schoenherr announced the gifts during a holiday party.

The gifts are based on how long employees have worked at FloraCraft and were divided between a cash bonus and an addition to the employee’s 401(k).

At the top, those who have worked for FloraCraft for more than 40 years will receive around $60,000 in bonuses. Each employee will get an average of more than $20,000 in bonuses.

“I believe strongly in giving back to the community by supporting initiatives that make Ludington a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family,” Schoenherr said in a press release from the company.

“A few years ago, I began thinking that I would like to do something more targeted for our employees, who really are the heart and soul of FloraCraft.”

“This idea has developed over the past year and is my way of saying ‘Thank you’ to our team for the role they have had in our success,” he added. “My wife, Joan, and I are blessed in so many ways. We want to share these blessings with the men and women whose energy, passion, and loyalty inspire us every day.”

According to the press release, employees applauded after the announcement and many thanked the owner personally.

“The news today was fantastic. I didn’t expect anything like that—and I’m very happy,” Mark Harvey, who works in the billeting department, said.

“It was very humbling. I started crying—it was huge for him to do something like that for everybody,” added Mary Overla, an assistant production supervisor.

“While many business owners provide bonuses to employees after selling their company, Mr. Schoenherr wants to thank his team for their role in building the FloraCraft brand and business now,” said CEO Eric Erwin. “He felt the time was right to share this special thank-you with our team, who are the hardworking and dedicated backbone of this company.”

“Lee Schoenherr is an amazing man, generous man, who grew up here in Ludington,” Erwin added in an interview with WZZM. “He represents the best of the community.”

FloraCraft is the world’s leading manufacturer of foam products for the craft and floral industries, according to the company. Schoenherr took over the company in 1973; it was started after World War II by a family member.

FloraCraft sells products in all 50 states and 17 other countries and management boasts that it has never laid off an employee.

wisconsin company buys guns for all
Wisconsin-based BenShot gave all of its employees a gun for Christmas. (BenShot)

Wisconsin Company Gives Guns to Every Employee for Christmas

A glassware company in Wisconsin, BenShot, gave every one of its employees a firearm as a Christmas gift.

The company produces glassware embedded with bullets. It allowed employees to choose their preferred revolver as the gift.

The gift is part of an effort to promote personal safety and team building, co-owner Ben Wolfgram told the Appleton Post-Crescent.

Wolfgram said that most of his 16 employees were excited about the upcoming gift. At least two had initially declined the present but were reconsidering after all employees took a gun safety course.

The small company was started in a garage workshop in 2015.

“Bulletproof glasses brought to you by the father and son team at BenShot. We design and build fine, handcrafted whiskey, beer, and shot glasses for those who can appreciate excellence,” the company’s website states. Shot glasses cost $15 while bigger glasses start at $20.

The company has never done a firearm giveaway before. To comply with state law, Wolfgram gave his employees gift cards so that they could purchase their weapons, an output that cost about $8,000.

“That way the background check was done by the store,” Wolfgram told WISN. “We are a small, close-knit team at BenShot. I want to make sure all of [our] employees are safe and happy—a handgun was the perfect gift.”

ntd newsletter icon
Sign up for NTD Daily
What you need to know, summarized in one email.
Stay informed with accurate news you can trust.
By registering for the newsletter, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Comments