Labor is a vital part of warehouse operations, and notable retention is a key part of keeping costs and performance in check. 

Smithfield Foods announced it has appointed Shane Smith, a two-decade veteran of the company and, most recently, its chief strategy officer, as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Mr. Smith will succeed Dennis Organ, who is stepping down for personal reasons.

Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has announced it raised wages for almost 13,500 hourly employee-partners which totals more than $33 million investment in salaries. Part of this investment is the company making the extra $1 per hour in COVID appreciation pay permanent for the hourly retail and logistics employee-partners along with raising the minimum pay for several positions in retail.

In its first year as a fully independent, publicly traded company, Carrier has achieved a perfect score of 100 points on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index, which measures corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. The score also earns Carrier a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” designation. Carrier is a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions.

Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has been certified as a Great Place to Work. Certification is a significant achievement that is determined based on validated employee feedback gathered with Great Place to Work’s rigorous methodology. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading results and increased innovation.

Week-over-week statistics from Clear Seas Research show food and beverage manufacturers have shifted their attention from future business goals to immediate employee welfare and current economic factors impacting their operations. Research conducted in late March showed 73% of those polled were concerned about achieving their business goals the next six months. Research conducted in early April saw that number drop to 53%.