ATCHISON, KANSAS, U.S. —MGP said on Nov. 27 that the Kansas Department of Commerce recently honored it as one of 22 regional business award winners across the state in recognition of the company’s business achievements and high level of community support and involvement. The award was presented during a local ceremony as part of the Commerce Department’s Annual Business Appreciation Program, which celebrates Kansas businesses and their contributions to their communities and the state economy.
“I want to congratulate all of the businesses recognized this year,” Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George said in a news release announcing the awards. “They represent the very best of their communities and Kansas. These awards are a way the state recognizes the business accomplishments and contributions that allow Kansas to be the best place to live and work.”
Divided into six regions of the state, the awards program recognizes businesses from nominations submitted across four categories: manufacturing/distribution; service; retail; and hospital/non-profit. Nominated by the city of Atchison in the manufacturing/distribution category, MGP was one of three regional award winners from the state’s northeast region. The other winners in this 19-county region received awards in the hospital/non-profit and service categories.
Tim Newkirk, MGP president and chief executive officer, said, “Our company is deeply grateful for having been nominated and ultimately chosen as a recipient of this distinguished award. Since MGP’s founding in Atchison 71 years ago, our generations of employees have never lost focus on pursuing methods of continually improving the business and delivering on initiatives that provide value and benefits to our community neighbors, as well as customers, investors and other key stakeholders.”
Support of community enhancement activities and programs related to the recruitment and retention of employees were among criteria on which award selections were based. Through its Corporate Gifts Program and the volunteer involvement of a number of employees, MGP supports multiple non-profit organizations, projects and events in Atchison and the surrounding area, as well as in Onaga, Kansas, U.S., and Lawrenceburg, Indiana, U.S., sites of the company’s other facilities.
Principal types of activities and initiatives which the company traditionally has assisted include education, youth development programs, senior citizen programs, health and wellness, social services and cultural events. MGP maintains active involvement in chamber of commerce board, council and committee functions. The company additionally has had significant involvement and performed leadership roles in local and area economic development projects for many decades.
Regarding personnel programs and practices, MGP attracts prospective employees with career opportunities in multiple disciplines, such as manufacturing and other supply chain functions, engineering, finance and administration, research and development and technical applications, to name a few. The company offers employees various internal and external training programs and has an online university for all staff to strengthen their expertise and build leadership competencies. MGP additionally provides programs to cross train employees in all areas of the organization.