MASSILLON – Three Shearer’s Foods employees will get to choose a new truck or SUV after winning a lottery during the company’s end-of-summer celebration Saturday at the Millennium Boulevard plant.
The vehicle giveaway was part of an incentive program the company created to reward their Ohio employees for their good work during the busy summer season.
“Thank you all so much for your … performance this past summer,” said Eric Krizay, vice president of operations. “We have had a record year for the Shearer business.”
Shearer’s, a manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies and crackers, offered incentives to employees in Massillon and Brewster. Awards were given to those who had perfect attendance each week or those who volunteered to work extra shifts. Employees received raffle tickets with prizes that increased throughout the summer. Prizes included iPads, grills, coolers and barbecue sets.
The company held its first fall festival last year, said Lauren Lab, HR manager at the Brewster plant.
“This year we thought, let’s give them a truck,” she said. The event included food and bounce houses.
Her husband Michael Lab, site manager of the company’s Stark warehouse, said about 1,000 employees were invited to the celebration.
“We’re giving away a car today. That’s really fun. It’s exciting,” he said.
More: “There’s no reason to leave.” The CEO of Shearer’s Foods says the company is committed to Massillon
Saturday’s final raffle included additional prizes for the new vehicles after the drawing, which winners can choose from at Progressive Chevrolet.
“We pay for everything: taxes, title,” says Carlos Smith, HR manager.
The winners did not have to be present to receive their prize. No one was present when managers drew the winning tickets shortly before 4 p.m
Spectators who held out cell phones to photograph the winners’ reactions left without capturing those unique moments.
“That was a bit of an anticlimax,” Krizay said.
More: Massillon-based Shearer’s Foods gets state tax credit as it considers new facility near Dayton
Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Shearer’s Foods Gives Employees Choice of Truck or SUV as Incentive
