Pella Corporation was recognized for its innovative approach to improving productivity and enhancing workplace wellness for its nearly 10,000 employees by landing a spot on Fast Company‘s list of World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2023.

“We are so proud to be named as one of the most innovative companies in manufacturing,” said Nicolle Picray, Sr. Manager of Public Relations and Talent Brand Communications for Pella. “This recognition is a testament to the combined efforts of our team to innovate across all areas of our organization, from product to process, and our commitment to pursuing a better way for each other and our customers.”

Last year, the company introduced innovations in robotics, voice-directed work, and began testing flexible scheduling.

Pella Corporation has created more flexible schedules that improve consistency in overtime requirements, time off and a better work-life balance. The change improved employee retention by over 50% and allowed long-serving employees to scale back their hours while retaining full benefits. The addition of flexible schedules also attracted more talent, enabling Pella to increase its manufacturing workforce by 45% over the last two years.

Additionally, Pella looked to eliminate complexity and repetitiveness on the production floor by introducing custom robotics that reduce cognitive load and simplify decision-making. Employees who were once manually sanding wood window and door frames, for example, were able to move into less physically demanding roles for equal or higher pay.

“We believe by taking a holistic, innovative approach to the workplace environment, we are well-positioned for the future while remaining steadfast on delivering a workplace that focuses on the wellness of our people,” said Picray.

The World’s Most Innovative Companies provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy. This is the second consecutive year Pella has been recognized by Fast Company for innovation. The company was most recently named No. 8 on the list of Most Innovative Design Companies.