Rita has been at Midwest Metal Products since 1980, in a variety of positions, starting as a temporary, clerical helper, moving into Customer Service and eventually managing the office. Today, she and her brother, Kevin Urban, are co-owners of Midwest Metal Products. The company was started by their father, Ray Urban, in 1964. Ray passed away in 1972, after losing a battle with leukemia. Following his death, the company was run by Ray’s widow and one of Ray’s previous business associates.
In 1998, Rita and Kevin bought out their mother, as well as other siblings, to carry on the family business. They consider MMP a family business in the typical sense, but they also feel a “sense” of family with the 140 employees they have – many of whom have been there over 20 years. Rita and Kevin would be the first to tell you that their employees are their biggest assets. The company has always been focused on its employees, providing them with extra special benefits and perks. They have been involved in “Wellness” for many years – before it was the latest buzz word. Just as they believe in preventive maintenance for their high tech equipment & machinery, they also feel it’s important for employees to be “proactive” and work toward “Wellness,” rather than being “reactive” and waiting for disease to set in.
The paradigm shift to “Wellness” is very slow, and you cannot expect immediate results. But it’s a journey well worth taking. “Wellness” is no longer an “option” for businesses; it is an essential part of the transformation of our health care crisis in America. Wellness works! |
