Aaron Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/10/retiring-car-dealer-gives-employees-1000-for-every-year-theyve-worked-for-him/#ixzz263Ais1XY?test=latestnews ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Before retiring, a Michigan car dealership owner wanted to thank his employees in a special way. All 89 employees at the Howard Cooper Import Center in Ann Arbor were given $1,000 for each year of service to the 47-year-old auto dealership. "The lady behind me had tears running down her face," employee Sandy Reagan told AnnArbor.com. "I sat next to a person who drives the parts van and he's been here almost 28 years. He doesn't make a ton of money, but he got almost $28,000. "I watched his face and he just said, `Oh my God,' " said Reagan, who has been with the company 46 years. The 83-year-old Cooper sold the dealership in April to Ohio-based Germain Motor Co., and employee retention was part of the deal. The business is expected to change hands later this month. "I wanted to thank my employees and that was a way I could do it," Cooper said of the surprise checks. "I hope it makes a difference in their lives like they have made in mine." Cooper received a standing ovation when the checks were distributed Wednesday morning. He did not reveal how much workers received in total, but 26-year mechanic Bob Jenkins' check was $26,000. "I was shocked," Jenkins said. "You just don't expect something like that. The whole place was just in shock. People are still talking about it." Jenkins said his check is going into the bank. "I have two little kids -- a 5-year-old and a 9-year-old -- so the money will go to good use," he said. The dealership opened in Ann Arbor in 1965, selling Volkswagens. Porsche and Audis were added in 1972, and Hondas came along in 1979. "The business has been my whole life for 47 years," Cooper said. "I love what I've done and I enjoyed going to work in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Awful damn nice of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbracing81 Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 (edited) I worked for Sofa Express and when the founder sold the business he did the same thing. Unfortunatly I had only worked ther for two years at that point, but some of the people had over 15 and 20 years with them. It really is something special to work for a company like that. Edited September 13, 2012 by gbracing81 misspelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brrcats Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 thats pretty fantastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Davis Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 My work is going through the same thing right now, they are doing $500 for each year of service for over 300 employees. Based on average tenure, it is over $1,000,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbracing81 Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 My work is going through the same thing right now, they are doing $500 for each year of service for over 300 employees. Based on average tenure, it is over $1,000,000 Who do you work for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jizzle Juice Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Well they're gonna need it once the Germains take over. It'll go from family owned to corporate real fast. I feel for the long tenured people their. They're gonna hate it. Flooding the floor with salesmen and people at each others throats for sales=not a good car dealership to work for.......IMO obviosuly That's really effin nice of him tho. Stand up act. It goes to show everyone with money isnt selfish and can aprreciate the people who made it happen for them :RoundOfApplause: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Davis Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Who do you work for? A division of Crane Plastics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbracing81 Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 A division of Crane Plastics. I have always heard good things about working for Crane. Where are they located? I may know someone interested in a job there. Do they have employee referral bonus'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Davis Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Crane Plastics is on Fairwood, I'm not certain if they have any current openings. I will inquire. I work for TimberTech in Wilmington, not sure a commute to Wilmington would make sense though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbracing81 Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Crane Plastics is on Fairwood, I'm not certain if they have any current openings. I will inquire. I work for TimberTech in Wilmington, not sure a commute to Wilmington would make sense though. I didn't realize you lived south. I think there is a Crane Plastics in Lancaster or Fairfield county somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 A division of Crane Plastics. No shit, my dad has nearly 40 years in and both my brother and I have worked there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyFKINPowerz Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Thats a really cool thing to do. You dont see that happening to much anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Well they're gonna need it once the Germains take over. It'll go from family owned to corporate real fast. I feel for the long tenured people their. They're gonna hate it. Flooding the floor with salesmen and people at each others throats for sales=not a good car dealership to work for.......IMO obviosuly That's really effin nice of him tho. Stand up act. It goes to show everyone with money isnt selfish and can aprreciate the people who made it happen for them :RoundOfApplause: Glad I didn't have to post this sentiment....+1 though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 That's a great news story. Certainly the kind we need to have more of in the world. Our company philosophy is great and along those same lines. I would encourage everyone who enjoyed that story to take 30 minutes, replace your favorite 30 minute sitcom with the following video. I think it's safe to say Howard Cooper lives this philosophy and it's no doubt what has contributed to his success over the years. Simon Sinek: If You Don't Understand People, You Don't Understand Business Simon is a very well known speaker and his entire series is great. Thanks for sharing the story Aaron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 My work is going through the same thing right now, they are doing $500 for each year of service for over 300 employees. Based on average tenure, it is over $1,000,000 That's awesome. Our company takes 10% of each employee's W2 and funds it right back into their 401k plan every year. You have to be with us a full year and actively fund your 401k but that's pretty much a given. If so, you can get a nice bonus every year. Those of us in sales and sales management really love it. :gabe: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHERRY Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 WTG----to the owner of that company... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2highpsi Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Simon Sinek: If You Don't Understand People, You Don't Understand Business Great vid. Glad I clicked the link http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/10/retiring-car-dealer-gives-employees-1000-for-every-year-theyve-worked-for-him/#ixzz263Ais1XY?test=latestnews Awesome story, and I wish more business owners had this mentality. If/when I ever own a dealership I think I am going to attemt to structure it like a law firm. Senior partners / junior partners etc. all sharing in the profits. I think teamwork, communication, and general productivity would skyrocket causing customer satisfaction and profits to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supplicium Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) do you know jeff and gordy at crane? Edited September 18, 2012 by Supplicium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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