Press Release
December 22, 1999

Graniterock Named To Top 100 List

Local Firm Appears on "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" List for the Third Straight Year

In Fortune magazine’s third annual evaluation of America’s workplaces, Graniterock was named to the “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.” The ranking, which will appear in the January 10th issue ofFortune, was compiled through extensive research, analysis, and a survey of more than 33,000 employees at hundreds of companies nationwide.

Fortune commissioned best-selling authors Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz to compile the list, using methodology similar to that used for their books to assess “great workplaces.” For the Fortune list, Levering and Moskowitz screened more than 1,000 companies and then invited 236 companies to participate in the evaluation process. To be eligible, companies must have more than 500 employees and have been in business for at least 10 years.

Candidate companies were rated on a 175-point scale. Employees participated in a scientific random sample survey process regarding their work environment, trust in management, pride in work, and camaraderie. Each participant company completed a 31-page inventory of human resource polices and practices, such as hiring, promotion, compensation, and recognition, and workplace statistics including turnover rate. The numerical employee survey results and an assessment of the inventory were used to determine final company rankings.

According to the authors, making the “Top 100” list is no random or unplanned activity. Companies work diligently to build these “great places to work.” Graniterock was recognized by the authors for its special “job ownership” approach in which individuals, not just managers, have control over their jobs and workplace improvements. Graniterock’s training and career advancement programs were also highlighted.

Granite Rock Company appeared with well-known and respected employers such as Hewlett-Packard Company (#43), J. M. Smucker (#22), Marriott International (#70), Nordstrom (#94), Federal Express (#59), Southwest Airlines (#2), and Deloitte & Touche (#31). In the list of 100, Graniterock’s ranking was 19th. Granite Rock Company also appeared on Fortune’s list each of the last two years. Graniterock is among the smallest firms to make the list. The median TOP 100 firm had 5,520 employees and sales of $1.3 billion. Graniterock has 729 employees.

Granite Rock Company was founded on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1900. The Company is in the process of planning for its 100th Anniversary in February, 2000. Graniterock has operations in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Salinas, Hollister, Aromas, Felton, San Jose, Redwood City, and So. San Francisco. The company’s Pavex Construction Division is a significant regional heavy engineering contractor building roadways, airports and private commercial and residential projects.

Note to Editors: Granite Rock Company is on the Fortune 100 list. A similar sounding company, Granite Construction Company, is not associated with Granite Rock Company and is not on the list.

Visit Fortune’s web sitefor the list of the Top 100 companies and other related information.