OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Ask any employer in almost any industry and you’ll hear a similar business concern: employee recruiting and retention.
While that has always been a fundamental of a successful business, the pandemic rocked employers’ worlds.
Team Cone Distributing is a beverage company founded in 1985 by Douglas P. Cone and operates in 22 counties in north central Florida.
They started with four rural counties and carried brands from just a few suppliers. Fast forward to today, they’ve moved into a 228,000 square foot warehouse at 1551 NW 44th Ave. in Ocala and employ more than 300 between two locations in Ocala and Tallahassee.
They say they realized how they treat their employees and customers is the key to their success.
On Wednesday, JJ Jarrell, the Corporate Director of Human Resources for Cone Distributing, shared his thoughts with several hundred other Ocala-area business leaders at the February, Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) exCEPtional Mornings breakfast.
Jarrell talked about the difficulties of finding good workers and the equally difficult challenge of keeping good people.
“Without investing in people, you will have no people,” said Jarrell to the audience assembled at the Reilly Arts Center. “You may have 350 people but if you don’t invest in them, you may soon have only 100 because what they will do is seek other organizations that will care about them, provide for them and give them opportunities.”
Team Cone is celebrating being named one of “Florida Trend’s Best Companies to Work for in Florida” for the fifth consecutive year.
Their web site displays some impressive statistics touting that 35% of their employees have been with the company 10 years or more. They show 151 internal promotions in 2022.
Cone distributes beers such as Miller, Coors and Pabst. They also handle other beverages like hard seltzers, ready to drink cocktails and distilled spirits to name just a few.
Team Cone is hiring but only has seven positions posted ranging from delivery drivers to warehouse personnel. If you’re interested, you can apply here.
ExCEPtional Mornings brings together 300 partners to hear speakers with important messages for the business community and to network with hundreds of local leaders. It is held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Reilly Arts Center.