Working at IDEAL Industries means joining a fourth-generation, family-owned company with a culture built on kindness, respect, and accountability. It's a certified Most Loved Workplace® known for its flat management structure, open communication, and employee-led initiatives that drive real change, such as improving parental leave. Leadership is held to a high standard, and there's a strong emphasis on community involvement through a global "Day of Kindness." The environment is collaborative, and new hires are connected to the company's heritage through unique onboarding activities.

What is it actually like to work at IDEAL Industries?

Founded in 1916 by J. Walter Becker, IDEAL Industries has grown from a simple product idea into a global, diversified business that remains family-owned. This heritage is central to the employee experience. Unlike many publicly traded corporations, IDEAL operates on a foundation of four core values: Act with Integrity, Excellence Starts with Accountability, Treat Everyone with Kindness and Respect, and Creating Value Drives Growth & Sustainability. These aren't just posters on a wall; they are the principles that guide hiring, performance reviews, and even leadership changes.

The culture is characterized by open communication and a relatively flat management structure, which minimizes hierarchical barriers and encourages collaboration. Employees are encouraged to share ideas and concerns directly, participating in multi-functional teams, brainstorming sessions, and product development initiatives. This creates an environment where employees feel their voices can be heard and can contribute to the company's direction. The company's status as a Most Loved Workplace® reflects a high degree of employee satisfaction and a genuine sense of belonging fostered by these intentional cultural practices. Source: IDEAL Industries on MLW®, Source: IDEAL Industries History

How does IDEAL Industries pay compare?

As a private, family-owned company, IDEAL Industries does not publicly disclose its salary bands or compensation structures. This can make it difficult for candidates to benchmark pay against the broader market. However, based on self-reported data from platforms like Glassdoor, compensation appears to be competitive with national averages for similar roles in the manufacturing industry. The table below provides an estimated comparison for several key positions.

Role	Average Salary at IDEAL Industries (User-Reported)	National Average (US)
Manufacturing Engineer	$87,455	$85,203
Product Manager	$124,198	$121,579
Electrical Engineer	$94,520	$98,333

Note: IDEAL Industries is a private company and does not publicly disclose salary data. The figures above are based on a limited set of self-reported data from current and former employees and should be considered estimates. Data sourced from Glassdoor as of late 2023.

Beyond base salary, compensation philosophy at IDEAL is tied to its core values. The annual performance evaluation process for every employee includes a specific cultural goal. This means that an employee's contribution to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative environment is a measurable and rewarded aspect of their performance. This holistic approach ensures that how work gets done is just as important as what gets done, aligning financial incentives with cultural health. Source: Glassdoor Salaries, Source: Employee Feedback Session

What benefits and time-off does IDEAL Industries offer?

IDEAL Industries' approach to benefits is notable for its responsiveness to employee needs. While a standard suite of benefits like health insurance and retirement plans is expected, the most compelling evidence of the company's commitment comes from how benefits evolve. The employee-driven Inclusive Workplace Council (IWC) serves as a direct channel for employees to advocate for change.

A significant achievement of the IWC was its successful advocacy for enhancing the company's parental leave policy. This initiative, born from employee feedback, demonstrates a culture where the company listens and acts. In another tangible example, the IWC championed the implementation of lactation rooms in major facilities to better support new mothers returning to the workforce. These are not top-down corporate mandates but grassroots improvements that directly address the well-being of employees, fostering a stronger sense of being valued and supported.

While the company's public careers page provides a high-level overview of its commitment to employee well-being, these specific examples illustrate a dynamic and caring approach to benefits management that goes beyond a static list of perks. Source: Employee Feedback Session, Source: IDEAL Industries Careers

Culture, leadership, and DEI at IDEAL Industries

Culture is the centerpiece of the IDEAL Industries employee value proposition. The company's approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is deeply integrated into its operations rather than being a separate HR function. The primary driver of this is the Inclusive Workplace Council (IWC), a body composed of employees from across the organization. The IWC conducts listening sessions to identify emerging issues and partners with HR to translate employee perspectives into policy, ensuring that DEI initiatives are authentic and impactful.

Leadership is held to an uncompromising standard. Executives and managers are expected to be living examples of the company's core values. In a clear demonstration of this commitment, the organization has parted ways with senior leaders who failed to uphold the empowering, inclusive, and collaborative culture. This sends a powerful message that cultural alignment is non-negotiable at all levels. Accountability is further embedded through the annual performance review, where every employee, from the factory floor to the C-suite, is measured against a cultural goal.

The value of "Treat Everyone with Kindness and Respect" extends beyond the company's walls. IDEAL organizes a "Day of Kindness" (and in some years, a "Month of Kindness") where employees across its global locations participate in volunteer events. The company also makes significant financial contributions to local communities, reinforcing an outward-facing culture of social responsibility that resonates strongly with its workforce. Source: Employee Feedback Session, Source: IDEAL Industries on MLW®, Source: IDEAL Industries Leadership

The hiring and interview process at IDEAL Industries

IDEAL Industries describes its hiring philosophy as extending the "widest welcome mat" to prospective employees. The recruiting process is intentionally designed to attract a diverse talent pool, seeking individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and life stages. The company believes that a variety of perspectives is essential for innovation and maintaining a healthy, growth-oriented environment.

The onboarding process is a key focus area and is continuously refined based on new hire feedback. A standout feature of the onboarding experience is the virtual coffee hour, where new employees have the opportunity to meet and interact with members of the IDEAL family, including descendants of the founder. This unique initiative is designed to create a personal connection to the company's long history and enduring values from day one. It helps transition new hires from being just employees to becoming part of a multi-generational legacy, fostering a deep sense of belonging and purpose. The goal is to ensure every new team member feels connected not just to their role, but to the broader company story. Source: Employee Feedback Session, Source: IDEAL Industries Careers

Career growth and learning at IDEAL Industries

At IDEAL Industries, career growth is intrinsically linked to the company's flat organizational structure and collaborative culture. The emphasis on multi-functional teams provides employees with significant opportunities for cross-departmental exposure and learning. Working on product development initiatives or brainstorming sessions alongside colleagues from different functions allows individuals to develop a broader skillset and a more holistic understanding of the business.

While formal, linear career ladders may be less defined than in a traditional hierarchical company, growth often comes from increasing influence and impact. The performance management system, with its dedicated cultural goal, encourages employees to develop leadership skills like communication, collaboration, and mentorship. Excelling in these areas is a key part of an employee's contribution and is recognized by the organization.

The company's commitment to creating value for the long term suggests an investment in its people. The structure provides a fertile ground for self-motivated individuals to carve out their own career paths by taking on new challenges, participating in key projects, and demonstrating their alignment with the company's core values. Source: IDEAL Industries on MLW®, Source: Employee Feedback Session

Risks, criticisms, and what to watch

No workplace is perfect for everyone, and the same qualities that make IDEAL Industries a loved workplace for many can be a challenge for others. The intense focus on cultural fit is a double-edged sword. The company's willingness to remove even senior leaders who are not aligned with its collaborative values demonstrates a strong commitment to its principles. However, this also means that individuals who prefer a more transactional, "keep your head down" work style may struggle to thrive in such a high-touch, relationship-oriented environment.

As a privately held company, IDEAL Industries offers less transparency than its publicly traded counterparts. Information on executive compensation, detailed financial performance, and diversity metrics is not typically disclosed to the public. Candidates who value this level of transparency may find it lacking.

Finally, the employee-led nature of cultural and benefits improvements, while empowering, also places a degree of responsibility on the workforce. Change is not always handed down from the top; it must be championed by engaged employees through channels like the Inclusive Workplace Council. This requires an active and vocal workforce to ensure the culture continues to evolve and meet the needs of its people. Source: Employee Feedback Session

Most Loved Workplaces® context

As one of over 1,800 certified companies worldwide, IDEAL Industries is part of the Most Loved Workplaces® network, which represents over 2.8 million employees. Research from Best Practice Institute shows that companies in this top tier experience 4× higher revenue growth compared to their industry peers and benefit from 48% higher employee retention. The certification is based on the SPARK framework, which analyzes companies across five key dimensions: Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness. At these healthy workplaces, 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® apply for roles when openings arise, indicating a strong internal talent pipeline and employee belief in the organization.

How we researched this report

This article was written by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. Our analysis is based on publicly available information, including company statements, employee feedback, and our own proprietary data. Learn more about our methodology.

What Is It Really Like to Work at IDEAL Industries?