Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/823104
wbjournal.com | May 15, 2017 | Worcester Business Journal 15 F A M I L Y B U S I N E S S F O C U S Thursday, 5.25.17 • 10am Shotgun Start Highfields Golf & Country Club, Grafton, MA [ 81 Hope Ave., Worcester, MA 01603 • 508.755.2340 • sevenhills.org [ To benefit children and adults with disabilities who participate in Community Connections programs in the Worcester area Learn More and Register Online at sevenhills.org/nbgolf Finalist: Large Family Business Award Atlas Distributing, Inc. Finalist: Large Family Business Award Polar Beverages Finalist: Large Family Business Award Woodmeister Master Builders Location: Auburn Industry: Beverage distribution Founded: 1933 Founder: Abraham Sadowsky Employees: 200 full time, 25 part time Generation running company: 2nd Family members working at Atlas: Joe Salois, owner and president (father); Jamie Salois, vice president (son); Jon Salois, vice president of sales (son); Don Salois, director of sales (brother); Don Salois, Jr., sales representative (nephew) Website: www.atlasdistributing.com In the last four years, Atlas has grown its employee base from 170 to 225 – including having a 25-percent minority workforce – while being appointed to represent major beer brands in Central Massachusetts: New Belgium Brewery with its Fat Tire Amber Ale and the Yuengling Brewery. The distribution firm also works with local startups such as Spencer Trappist Brewery and Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co. of Williamsburg. During all this growth, the company stays true to its employees, handing out 26 promotions in the last two years and holding annual employee recognition breakfasts, cookouts, pizza nights and Friday office lunches. You will find Atlas senior manage- ment sitting on a variety of local boards including Nichols College, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Saint Vincent Hospital, Economic Development Coordinating Council, Leadership Worcester, and Clark University Graduate School of Management. Atlas holds annual compa- nywide campaign drives for the United Way and the Salvation Army while par- ticipating in events like the American Heart Association's annual Heart Walk. Location: Holden Industry: Residential construction Founded: 1980 Founder: Ted Goodnow Employees: 125 Generation running company: 1st Family members working at Woodmeister: Ted Goodnow, founder and chief eternal optimist (husband); Kim Goodnow, president and ambassador for culture, quality and customer delight (wife) Website: www.woodmeister.com In November, Woodmeister was inducted into the prestigious New England Design Hall of Fame, honoring the company's influence on residential design and its community involvement. Among its more recent projects were the total reconstruction of the landmark Razor building in La Jolla, Calif – a concrete residence overlooking the Pacific Ocean – the construction of a LEED Platinum lakeside family compound in Wolfeboro, N.H.; renovating three condo projects at 22 Liberty Place in Boston's Seaport District; and building a seaside family compound on Nantucket, which included relocating seven structures, renovating a 18,000-square-foot historic home and building 10 new cottages. To give back to its community, Woodmeister provides space at its Boston sales office in the South End for trade events, yoga sessions, artists festivals and neighborhood fundrais- ers. Any proceeds from such events are donated back to organizations like the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter and low-income nonprofit United South End Settlements. Location: Worcester Industry: Beverage manufacturer and distributor Founded: 1882 Founder: Dennis Crowley Employees: 1,600 Generation running company: 4th Family members working at Polar: Ralph Crowley, Jr., president & CEO (brother); Christopher Crowley, executive vice president (brother); Carolyn Stimpson, shareholder (sister); Jeff Crowley, shareholder (brother); David Crowley, shareholder (brother) Website: www.polarbev.com Founded 135 years ago as a whiskey and seltzer company, Polar Beverages has been innovating ever since Prohibition forced the Worcester manu- facturer to switch to carbonated bever- ages. Its latest success has been a string of popular seasonal flavors – like Watermelon Margarita, Pineapple Grapefruit, Strawberry Sunrise, Raspberry Rose and Mango Berry, debuting this summer – in addition to its now decades-old efforts to bottle, can and distribute carbonated drinks for other drink brands. While employing 1,000 people in Central Massachusetts, the beverage company sells its products in 40 states and operates three bottling plants, including one in Georgia. Out in the community, the company's workforce volunteers at events like playground construction.