Fortune magazine has named Newark, Del.-based W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., manufacturer of
GORE-TEX® fabric, and Spartanburg-based textile and chemical manufacturer Milliken & Company to
its 2009 “100 Best Companies To Work For” list. Ranking and selection were based on opinions of
company employees and company responses to a Culture Audit questionnaire including both detailed
and open-ended questions.
W.L. Gore & Associates marked its 12th consecutive year on the list, with a number 15
ranking. “Gore is honored to once again earn recognition as one of the best workplaces in America,”
said Terri Kelly, president and CEO, W.L. Gore. “Thanks largely to the pioneering corporate culture
established by our founders more than 50 years ago, Gore is a place where innovation thrives and
where every individual has the ability to contribute to the success of the enterprise. I strongly
believe that our culture is our biggest competitive advantage. It directly contributes to our
business success and drives associate satisfaction.”
Milliken & Company achieved a spot on the list for the fifth time, ranking 64 overall,
and 17th for medium-sized companies. Once again, it is the only South Carolina-based company on the
list this year. “Making FORTUNE’s ‘100 Best Companies to Work for’ list for a fifth time is great
recognition for all our associates,” stated Joe Salley, president and CEO, Milliken. “Their
constant engagement and dedication to building a strong culture of integrity, innovation, and
excellence is truly what makes Milliken successful.”
In all, more than 81,000 employees from 353 companies participated in this year’s survey,
conducted by the San Francisco-based Great Place to Work Institute.
January 27, 2009
