The rest of the nation is finding out what Business Journal readers have long known about Orange County’s biggest private companies on this year’s annual list (see page 26)—they are among the best in the world at what they do. Here are some of the more notable recognitions given to them in the past year:
• Irvine-based Golden State Foods announced in May that it was selected to Deloitte’s fifth annual list of the “US Best Management Company.”
“From our warehouse floors, fleet on the road and manufacturing sites, to our innovation centers and corporate offices, the people who manage our operations and support services at every level throughout the GSF family of companies have earned our sincere gratitude and hearty congratulations for this first-ever US Best Managed Companies distinction for Golden State Foods,” Golden State Foods Chief Executive and President Brian Dick said.
The Deloitte list, which honors 62 U.S. firms, cited the company for successful results in its annual associate experience survey; high standards of product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance; social responsibility initiatives; financial performance; and growth with customers and new facilities.
For more on Golden State Foods, see this week’s Leader Board on page 49.
• Allied Universal, the world’s seventh largest private employer with 800,000 employees, was named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters 2024 with a ranking of four-and-a-half stars. The list was compiled based on responses from people with less than five years of employment experience currently working at companies with more than 500 employees.
“Allied Universal is honored to be recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters in 2024,” said Steve Jones, global chairman and CEO of Irvine-based Allied Universal.
“We are proud to provide a wide range of opportunities for those who are looking for a start in the workforce. Our dedicated team of leaders make exceptional mentors for anyone who chooses to begin their careers with Allied Universal. With a core emphasis on promoting from within, our newest employees are welcomed into the company with a commitment to helping them grow and realize their career goals and aspirations.”
• Newport Beach-based Pacific Life Insurance Co. was named a national 2024 Civic 50 honoree by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. Pacific Life said the Civic 50 sets the standard for corporate citizenship by honoring companies based on four dimensions of their corporate citizenship and social impact programs.
“We are deeply invested in our people, customers and communities,” Pacific Life President and CEO Darryl Button said. “Building on our culture of ethics and commitment to our clients, their families, and our collective future, we understand the importance of giving back. We believe that by doing the right thing, we are strengthening Pacific Life’s long-term value while also improving our local communities.”
• Alliant Insurance Services was recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Large Employers,” citing a survey conducted annually by Forbes and Statista Inc.
“Alliant is proud to be home to the industry’s top talent, and we strive daily to create an environment where our employees can achieve optimum success in their career journey,” said Tom Corbett, chairman of Irvine-based Alliant. “In the past year, we have achieved considerable growth across all facets of our organization while remaining true to our culture of teamwork, collaboration and innovation.”
• MS International Inc., an Orange-based distributor and manufacturer of flooring, countertops, wall tiles and hardscaping products, announced that co-founder Manu Shah was honored with the prestigious 2023 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Natural Stone Institute (NSI).
“Shah, a NSI member since 2004, has made remarkable contributions to the association despite never holding an official position on committees or the board of directors,” said an association statement. “Nevertheless, he and the MSI team have played pivotal roles in supporting five major initiatives undertaken by the association and other industry groups, along with consistently contributing as donors or motivators to several NSI programs and events.”
