The 4th Annual Jeff Bullock Memorial Golf Tournament at Mill Creek Country Club in Geneva was a big success thanks to the many participants, sponsors,supporters and volunteers who helped BisonCares, the charitable arm of Bison Gear & Engineering Corp., raise money to help support local charities and to honor the memory of Jeff Bullock. Sincere thanks from the Bullock family and the entire Bison Gear team!
BisonCares
September 23, 2009
September 04, 2009
Bison Gear Receives "Healthiest Company in America" Award
Illinois manufacturer recognized for its commitment to employee health and well-being and its innovative health and wellness initiatives yielding measurable employee health improvement.
"Everyone talks about health care today, but more than a dozen years ago Bison Gear began creating a corporate culture that encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own health and to take an active role in their preventative care," said Bison Gear CEO, Martin Swarbrick. In recognition of the significant improvement achieved in overall employee health metrics, Bison Gear has received the "Healthiest Company in America" award from Interactive Health Solutions (IHS). The award is based on clinical evaluations of employee participants across an index that tests for indicators of heart disease, diabetes, smoking and other measures of health status that are in part controllable by an individual. When Bison constructed its headquarters and manufacturing facility in St. Charles, Illinois in 1997, the gearmotor manufacturer budgeted for a completely equipped employee fitness center. More recently, it has invested in an onsite clinician ready medical resource center. In addition, a cross-functional team of Bison "Health Ambassadors" has been formed to develop and communicate health awareness and improvement programs throughout the company. Working with IHS, Bison hosts an annual Wellness Fair for employees and their family members that includes free diagnostic testing and counseling. "Years ago, we were fortunate to win the business of an up and coming exercise equipment company," said Ron Bullock, chairman and owner of Bison Gear. "That customer relationship, which still endures, has contributed to the health of our business. More importanly, though, it made us more aware of the benefits of proactive health management and that has been an even greater contribution to every Bison associate."
July 23, 2009
Bison Gearmotor Plays Pivotal Role in Raising Funds for Charity
Windmill playhouse raises $10,000 at auction to help rehabilitate low-income and elderly housing
An elaborate playhouse featuring a Bison gearmotor powered windmill sold for $10,000 at auction, with one hundred percent of the proceeds used to provide free home repair services for the elderly and low-income homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area. The "Molina of La Mancha" playhouse was designed by Topos Architects of Palo Alto, California, who selected a Bison Gear gearmotor to power the windmill on still days. The gearmotor Bison donated to the project is from the VWDIR23 series of right angle, variable speed drives.
The Don Quixote-inspired windmill was sold at the Dreams Happen auction which is the primary fundraiser for the Rebuilding Together Peninsula charity that provides free home repair services for those in need. The primary recipients of their services are senior citizens, single parents, grandparents raising grandkids, the disabled, low-income families with children, veterans, children caring for ailing parents and the sick or poor in health.
"Although we sell gearmotors for special applications in the wind power industry and we also make permanent magnet dc motors that can be used as very small generators, I must say this is an application we did not anticipate," said John Morehead, who is Bison Gear's vice president strategic planning and marketing. "It's only one gearmotor, but the satisfaction everyone at Bison Gear received knowing the good work that will be done by Rebuilding Together Peninsula is as great as having sold thousands to an OEM."
"Bison Gear is always happy to support such worthy causes with product donations," said Sylvia Wetzel, Bison Gear chief learning officer and president of BisonCares. "After all, we're soliciting product donations for the silent auction portion of our 4th Annual Jeffrey Bullock Memorial Golf Tournament which benefits the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Lazarus House serving the homeless."
April 09, 2009
4th Annual Jeffrey Bullock Memorial Golf Tournament Presented by BisonCares
September 18, 2009 -- Save the Date
NEW fOR 2009 EVENT: Hole in One Contest with 2009 Cadillac CTS ($39,000 value) Grand Prize, courtesy of Al Piemonte Cadillac of St. Charles.
EVENT DETAILS Location: Mill Creek Golf Club, 39W525 Herrington Drive, Geneva, IL 60134 Time: 1:00 pm - Shotgun start Cost: $140.00 per person (Includes golf package, dinner and donation to BisonCares) RSVP: By September 1, 2009 to BisonCares@bisongear.com or contact Michelle Kasper at Bison Gear, 630-443-5777
January 16, 2009
Manufacturers' Career Council Established to Increase Illinois Competitiveness Through Education Programs
A group of Northern Illinois manufacturers has come together with high school, community college and other community representatives in forming the Manufacturers' Careers Council to provide the direction and programs that will be necessary for the increased skill levels required in industry. Experts say that in Illinois alone, more than 30,000 new manufacturing workers will be needed each year for the next ten years to replace the retiring baby-boomer generation.
"Despite the current recession, we are facing a pipeline crisis," said Ron Bullock, Chairman and owner of St. Charles-based Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. "We predict a workforce deficit of those with the higher skills needed for our companies to compete and innovate in the global economy. There is not a job at our facility today that does not require some post-secondary education."
One of the strategies the Manufacturers' Career Council is pursuing is high school and community college implementation of the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician training program. MSSC is a nationally recognized certification program that allows students interested in manufacturing careers to be credentialed in the four critical skill areas necessary in advanced manufacturing: safety, quality practices and measurement, processes and production, and maintenance awareness. The MSSC credentials are portable nationally allowing workers to assure potential manufacturing employers that they possess the skills necessary to be successful in a wide array of environments.
The next meeting of the Manufacturers' Career Council will be hosted at Bison Gear's St. Charles, IL, facility on January 29, 2009, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Interested manufacturers, educators and workforce development representatives are invited and should contact Ms. Michelle Kasper at Bison to receive a meeting agenda and confirm their participation.
December 23, 2008
Bison Gear Associates and Families Share Holiday Wishes With Santa and Mrs. Claus
Santa returns to record crowd for 11th year, while gearmotor manufacturer's Corporate Social Responsibility entity works with community business partners to collect Toys for Tots and Northern Illinois Food Bank donations.
(L-R, back row: Bison Gear associate Alizsa Kounechongpragert and husband, Kham;
center row: Mrs. Claus and husband, Santa;
front row: Katelynn, Neathan, and Matthew Kounechongpragert)
Almost 400 employees and family members welcomed Santa and Mrs. Claus to the eleventh annual Breakfast With Santa at electric motor and gearmotor manufacturer, Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. As part of the holiday celebration, Bison Gear also brought together other manufacturers in the community to collect donations for Toys for Tots and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
"In the manufacturing world today, it's truly wonderful to see our associates and their families come together to express thanks, share with others and celebrate the holidays," said Ron Bullock, owner and Chairman of Bison Gear. "This is my favorite Bison event. Every year, I look forward to seeing everyone having such a fun family celebration."
At the Bison Breakfast With Santa, employees, children and grandchildren enjoyed a catered buffet before the children visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus to share their wish lists and receive toys from Santa. While waiting their turn, games and candy were provided and family photographs were presented upon leaving. Bison's first Breakfast With Santa in 1997 had 136 family member attendees. This year, over 390 were registered for the event, including 165 children and grandchildren of Bison associates.
Bison associates also brought in food donations for the Northern Illinois Food Bank and BisonCares, the charitable organization established by Bison employees, reached out to the local manufacturing community and with cooperation from Microplastics Inc. and Compact Industries, Inc. donated three full totes to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. Earlier this month, BisonCares donated $3000 to two local social service organizations.
December 11, 2008
Lazarus House and Larkin Center Receive Donations from Bison Gear Employees
Gearmotor manufacturer's Corporate Social Responsibility entity makes special presentations to community-focused social service organizations to assist with holiday needs.
(L-R: Sylvia Wetzel, President, BisonCares; Darlene Marcusson, Executive Director, Lazarus House; Dennis Graf, Executive Director, The Larkin Center; Jim Winters, VP Finance & HR, Bison Gear)
Recognizing that community service organizations' financial needs are most acute this holiday season, BisonCares, the charitable arm of Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. made two special donations today at its monthly plant wide meeting. The Executive Directors of Lazarus House in St. Charles and The Larkin Center in Elgin were each presented with $1500 donations on behalf of Bison Gear's 270 employees.
Lazarus House serves men, women and children in St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and western rural Kane County who are homeless or at risk with safe shelter, food and support services. The Larkin Center in Elgin provides residential treatment programs for youth ages 8 to 18, therapeutic day school services for students from more than 30 school districts in Northern Illinois, as well as outpatient family counseling services.
"Our associates at Bison Gear recognize the importance of giving back to our community, and the services provided by Lazarus House and The Larkin Center are especially focused on families in need where we work and live," said Ron Bullock, Chairman of Bison Gear. "We are thankful for the success we have enjoyed as a result of our associates' dedication and we are proud to participate in their charitable efforts."
| About BisonCares
BisonCares is a 501(C)3 Nonprofit Organization "Powered by the hearts of Bison Gear employees." Initially established as a response by Bison Gear employees to the tragedy of hurricane Katrina, BisonCares has expanded its support to the Toys for Tots program, feeding the hungry in Northern Illinois, and other health research, education, social, religious and animal welfare efforts that improve the quality of life. www.bisoncares.com |
November 14, 2008
Bison Gear is Toys for Tots Drop-Off Location
Since 2006, Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. has served as an official drop-off location for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. We collect over 250 toys annually from company and employee donations and adjoining businesses and individuals in the St. Charles area. The only stipulations for donations are:
- Toys for ages 0 to 18 years
- No stuffed toys
-
Toys must be unwrapped
August 28, 2008
Sponsors Contribute to Success of 3rd Annual Jeffrey Bullock Memorial Golf Tournament
Over 100 employees, customers, suppliers and friends celebrate the memory of Bison Gear leader through fun, food and golf, with proceeds to charity.
"The Bullock family thanks everyone who participated in and sponsored this worthwhile event honoring Jeff's memory," said Ron Bullock, Chairman of Bison Gear. "We look forward to welcoming and renewing friendships with an ever expanding group in 2009. It's a great opportunity for our valued employees, customers, suppliers and friends to reflect on Jeff's contributions to Bison Gear's success, while helping charitable causes in our community." Bison Gear and BisonCares extend special thanks and gratitude to the following sponsors of this year's event: ANA International, Applied Control, Asteroid Precision Grinding, Bevington-Chambers Associates, Carmody Company, CPR Strategies, Design World, EMJ Metals, e-Drive, EPT Industries, Fels Tool & Mfg., General Bearing, Machine Design/Motion System Design, Minarik Automation/Minarik Drives, Pacent Engineering, Phoenix Closures, Phoenix Electric Mfg., ProLink Investment, Pure Imagination, Pyramid Wire & Insulation, Rich Harvest Farms, Schultz Financial Group, Target Manufacturing, Unidrive, Vedder Price, WebbMason, and Wright State University.
July 11, 2008
BisonCares announces 3rd Annual Jeffrey Bullock Memorial Golf Tournament
August 22 event brings together employees, customers, suppliers and friends to celebrate the memory of Bison Gear leader through fun, food and golf, with proceeds to charity.
BisonCares, the charitable arm of Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. is pleased to announce the Third Annual Jeffrey Bullock Memorial Golf Tournament. This year's event will be held Friday, August 22, 2008, at Mill Creek Golf Club in Geneva, IL. Tee off time is 1:00 p.m., and participation includes golf, cart and dinner awards ceremony.
The inaugural Jeffrey Bullock Memorial Golf Tournament, with 140 participants, was held in 2006, one year after his untimely passing at age 35. Starting with working summers during high school, Jeff Bullock spent his entire career at Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. He was instrumental in establishing Bison's entry into electric motor production and was an advocate for the company's Lean Manufacturing implementation. As Executive Vice President, he was responsible for engineering, sales and marketing, administration and human resources at Bison and was a key driver in helping the company set record sales levels during his tenure.
"The Bullock family welcomes one and all at this worthwhile event in Jeff's memory," said Ron Bullock, Chairman of Bison Gear. "We look forward to visiting with you, renewing relationships and helping charitable causes in our community."
Proceeds from the event go to BisonCares and participation is not limited just to those in the power transmission and motion control field with connections to Bison Gear. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available, as well as the opportunity for dinner-only participation. Registration for the event is available through the BisonCares.com web site.
