WEST CHESTER TWP. — Early on weekday mornings, before alarm clocks wake most suburban residents, three commuters from downtown are already on their way to work in the suburbs.

        It's dark when Luella Williams, Clarence Smith and Michelle Ross board a private bus that takes them and co-workers to their first-shift positions at Crescent Park Distribution Centers. But a sense of investment in the company, and their company's investment in them, keeps these workers on the job.

At Crescent Park Distribution Centers in West Chester, Michelle Ross (left) and Clarence Smith repackage items for value pricing. Both reverse commute from Cincinnati and have flourished in their jobs. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        Several years ago, Crescent Park embarked on an ambitious expansion plan. The family-owned warehouse business, which began as a cargo transport company in the 1860s, wanted to venture outside warehousing.

        In 1995, it entered the repackaging business and was soon operating more than a dozen lines that boxed and wrapped cans, bottles and cartons destined for mass merchandisers. Business was ballooning.

        But the company faced an ever-tightening labor market, coupled with a location in a less-developed area east of Interstate 75. In order to grow, the company had to find a reliable work force. West Chester and its neighboring communities, with largely white-collar populations, were not a likely source for two shifts of line workers.

        “Being out in West Chester also means we're not on the bus line,” said Dena Brown, Crescent Park's human resource manager.

        Ms. Brown contacted Frank Jones, co-owner of CM Staffing Services, who had a history of matching folks who wanted jobs with employers who needed them.

        Mr. Jones contracted to provide temporary workers to keep Crescent Park running. He combed city neighborhoods looking for people who wanted jobs, and began busing the new temporary workers from a central pickup point in downtown Cincinnati to Crescent Park, more than 20 miles north.

        Some temps didn't adapt to the commuting routine or couldn't handle the demands of the job. But for others, like Ms. Williams, Mr. Smith and Ms. Ross, steady work at an established company was worth the sacrifice. Each started as a temp, was hired full time by Crescent Park and has risen to a leadership position.

        “I'm blessed. I've learned to work on a computer,” said Ms. Ross, a quality control inspector since 1997.

        Said Mr. Smith, an employee since 1998: “I've got higher living standards.”

        Ms. Williams often brings in home-baked goods to share, expressing her thanks for a meaningful job.

        Line leaders Mr. Smith and Ms. Williams use a variety of techniques to keep production high and the process smooth, regardless of which line they are running.

        “Some people call me a slave-driver,” said Mr. Smith with a grin. “I'm always increasing the quota. What I like about this company so much is the teamwork and emphasis on safety.”

        Ms. Williams keeps a keen eye on her team as well as her equipment.

        “Maintenance might take 15 minutes, but you've got to fix your machines,” she said.

        All three, with uneven prior work histories, have found a niche at Crescent Park and are eager to earn promotions.

        “The energy level those folks have and what they have to endure — up at 4 or 5 in the morning — I admire their drive and their desire to get ahead,” said Chris Taylor, the company's president and fifth-generation owner. “We're a very people-driven business, especially in the packaging division. Development of our people will drive everything we do in our business.”

        Crescent Park's work force is becoming increasingly diverse — many of its workers are Hispanic — but active team-building efforts have improved retention and resulted in double-digit production increases. Use of job coaches and work force specialists from Goodwill, Jewish Vocational Services and the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission has eased new employees over rough spots and helped the company strengthen its training and incentives programs.

        “We try to show them why Crescent Park is different,” said Ms. Brown. “We have an OSHA nurse on site. We provide tuition reimbursement to encourage them to take classes. And we furnish things like Kings Island and Coney Island tickets at a discount.”

        “Dena Brown is there for us,” Mr. Smith said. “We're family here.”

        In the last year, Crescent Park has hired about 100 employees. Ms. Brown estimated that, in the packaging division, most new hires started as long-term temporary workers furnished by Mr. Jones.

        “Once they come on board there's a passion inside of them. They take initiative and make their jobs fun,” she said. “They were just looking for somebody to give them an opportunity.”
       

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