Workplace continued on D2
URBANA — American Pan is listed as one of the top 60 workplaces in the Miami Valley by WorkplaceDynamics, an employee survey company.
Last fall, the Springfield News-Sun and Dayton Daily News teamed with WorkplaceDynamics to identify the large, midsize and small companies and organizations in the area that score high employee satisfaction. More than 10,000 area workers responded to WorkplaceDynamics’ survey.
They answered questions about whether their employers are heading in the right direction, whether their employers operate efficiently, and whether employees are listened to and given opportunities to grow.
Participants also were asked about their pay and benefits, among other things.
American Pan, as well as Springfield-based Comfort Keepers, are included on the list of the top companies. Comfort Keepers was profiled in the Jan. 15 edition of the News-Sun.
“American Pan is a family run business, and we truly strive to treat everyone like family,” said Gilbert Bundy, president of Bundy Baking Solutions, in an e-mail. “They know that we are committed to them and to keeping the business here in the United States.
“We are also an industry leader, and I think that it means a lot to our employees that they can be proud of the products they make every day,” Bundy said.
American Pan, one of six Bundy Baking Solutions companies, has had a successful year. The company, which manufactures custom industrial baking pans, announced last summer it would expand its facility and bring in jobs.
“It’s about sales growth,” said Wendi Ebbings, marketing manager for Bundy Baking Solutions, which is comprised of six different companies including American Pan.
Ebbings said the company has been successful in its new line of pans, called USA Pan, for the home.
“Those pans have really taken off,” she said. “Internationally, we’ve increased our sales, and that’s the reason for the expansion. We just introduced the USA Pan line and are already suppliers for Williams and Sonoma and Bed Bath and Beyond.”
Crews started work in October on the 40,000-square-foot building expansion, which will be complete in March, Ebbings said. American Pan has also purchased larger equipment for increased production. Ebbings said the company would not release the cost of the expansion.
American Pan is receiving tax incentives from the city in exchange for hiring about 30 full-time workers and adding 20 part-time jobs in three years, as well as retaining more than 100 full-time jobs and 45 part-time jobs.
Ebbings said the company has already hired a few people and is looking for general manufacturers, tool and die makers and CT operators.
Brad Bodenmiller, in zoning and code enforcement for Urbana, helped American Pan secure a property tax abatement that was approved at city, county and state levels and that forgives a certain amount of the property tax on a new building. Bodenmiller said the tax forgiven wouldn’t be calculated until the building is finished.
“The most important thing is the tax incentive deals because it includes a contract with the company as kind of a guarantee,” Bodenmiller said. “It has the number of jobs the company will create and retain, that’s the biggest benefit to the community.”
He added that by giving tax incentives for jobs, the income tax generated by the new jobs helps the community and provides more disposable income for people to spend at local businesses.
Bodenmiller cited companies such as Rittal Corporation, which moved its North American headquarters to Urbana, as another example of a major company who has helped the area’s economic growth.
“That’s kind of a big deal for Urbana, we’re a small community, it’s a big win for us,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or emason@coxohio.com.
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