An interview with company president John Biagioni on Lampin’s role in the community.
Lampin’s community involvement is evident in the company’s long history of charitable works. The employee-owned company supports its community through initiatives such as employee volunteerism, corporate giving, and charitable events. Lampin’s commitment to the community is driven by its employee ownership model, which fosters a unique connection between the company’s success and the well-being of the community.
How does Lampin’s employee ownership model help to support community involvement initiatives?
John Biagioni: Lampin has a long history of community involvement. We believe that it’s important to give back to the communities where our employees live and work. Our ESOP model helps to drive our community involvement initiatives by instilling employees with a sense of personal ownership for the company’s success, and by empowering them to share the benefits of their hard work with the causes that are most meaningful to them. This isn’t some faceless corporation making donations for the good press– these are real people who have worked hard and are able to share the rewards for that hard work with people and causes that they care deeply about.
What are some of the ways that Lampin employees give back to their community?
JB: On both a company and personal level I am absolutely inspired by the Lampin commitment to giving back. We have so many examples– donating resources to educational funds, employees volunteering for causes they care about, company donations to support individual fundraising activities, partnerships with local technical schools and colleges, really the list goes on and on.
Since coming on board at the beginning of the year I’ve had the chance to experience firsthand how much community involvement means to everyone at Lampin. This summer Lampin sponsored a free summer concert series put on by OpenSky, which is an organization providing support and services for individuals facing a variety of challenges. In May I walked 100 miles to raise $1330 for Stop Soldier Suicide, an organization that provides life-saving crisis care and support for veterans. This is a cause that means a lot to me personally, and Lampin’s match donation will be repeated annually. Everyone here is deeply motivated to be a force for good and I’m glad to be a part of it.
What are some of the challenges and benefits of being an employee-owned company when it comes to community involvement?
JB: The challenges of being an employee-owned company when it comes to community involvement are that we have to be very deliberate and strategic about how we allocate our resources. We also have to be mindful of the impact our actions have on our employees, customers, and shareholders. But the benefits far outweigh any challenges.
Our employees are highly engaged and committed to the success of the company, and they’re also very passionate about giving back to the community. Having the honor of delivering news and updates on the results is one of the best parts of my job. The satisfaction and pride you see on people’s faces when they learn about the real, tangible impact they’ve had is really moving. You can’t help but get caught up in that enthusiasm.
How does Lampin’s community involvement benefit the company as a whole?
JB: The ways that Lampin’s community involvement benefits the company as a whole are numerous. It helps us to attract and retain the best employees, strengthens our brand, and builds goodwill in the communities where we operate. Our prosperity is evidence of the dedication of our employees, and those connections we create in our communities help ensure that we will continue to thrive for years to come.
Lampin’s involvement with the Blackstone Valley Educational Foundation is a great example of how cyclical this process is. We recently funded 3 grants that have helped improve access to cutting-edge equipment, tools, and education opportunities for students in STEM. 3D printers, advanced manufacturing equipment, and engineering education are just some of the things that have been made possible by our support, and that kind of access lets students gain practical experience and apply what they learn in the classroom.
By supporting educational initiatives, we’re not only helping to build a stronger pipeline of future Lampin employees, but we’re also helping to build a stronger workforce in our communities. Eventually, that next generation of manufacturers and engineers will be part of the Lampin legacy, and it will be their privilege to continue the cycle by giving back to the programs that afforded them an advantage early on.
How does Lampin’s community involvement help to create a positive work environment for its employees?
JB: First, it instills a sense of ownership and gives us the opportunity to use our success in a meaningful way. Second, it fosters a commitment to the community because this is where our employee-owners live, where their families live, and where they work. That’s why it’s so important for us to say “giving back”– because we recognize that we are supporting the communities and causes that have helped each of us get to where we are today.
What advice would you give to other companies who are looking to get more involved in their communities?
JB: The best advice I can give to other companies who are looking to get more involved in their communities is to start by listening. Find out what the needs are and identify ways that you can help. Consider the causes that are most important to employees, as well as those that have supported employees during their own hardships. Be creative and think outside the box. There are many ways to make a difference, and every company has unique strengths that it can bring to bear.
It’s also important to be strategic and deliberate about how you allocate your resources. Employee time is a precious commodity, and you want to be sure that you’re making the most impactful use of it. The same goes for financial resources. You don’t have to do everything, but what you do should be aligned with your company’s values and strengths.
Finally, don’t forget to have fun! Giving back should be enjoyable, and a great way to build team morale and camaraderie. Doing good deeds is its own reward, but it doesn’t hurt to enjoy the process along the way.
