Outside Names SmartWool as One of America's Best Places to Work 2008

SmartWool Corporation, a leading outdoor performance brand offering Merino wool-based apparel, socks and accessories, today was named to Outside magazine’s (www.outsideonline.com) inaugural “Best Places to Work” list. SmartWool Corporation was ranked third in the medium group (50-249 employees). The full list and related stories will be published in the May issue of Outside magazine, available on newsstands April 15, 2008.

“It is always an honor to be recognized by the outdoor industry but being named as ‘One of America’s Best Places to Work’ is particularly special for SmartWool because it speaks to the essence of the brand – the SmartWool culture, philosophy and our most of all our employees,” says Mark Bryden, president of SmartWool. “We are a high-performance company driven by employees who believe that a balanced life is a rich life, and that philosophy touches every aspect of business.”

The company was recognized for its employee-driven corporate social responsibility program, Leave My SmartPrintâ„¢ program that provides employees with 40 hours of paid volunteer time. Other benefits recognized include a $10,000 adoption assistance program, $3,000 hybrid car purchase program, and an annual all-company ski day held at Steamboat Ski Resort.

Outside’s “Best Places to Work” list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association (www.outdoorindustry.org) and Best Companies Group (www.bestcompaniesgroup.com) (BCG). The magazine conducted extensive surveys – based on benefits, compensation, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives and community outreach programs – designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the country.

The extensive, year-long process initially identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. The companies were then sent a confidential employee-satisfaction survey and employer-questionnaire to collect information about benefits, policies and practices. All of the results were analyzed by BCG’s experts, who selected the top 30. The winners were then broken down into three categories: small (15-49 employees); medium (50-249) and large (250+). The result is a list of 30 U.S. companies that make it possible for employees to balance productivity with an active, eco-conscious lifestyle.

“These 30 companies figured out that there is a way to have it all and understand the growing need for work/quality of life balance,” said Chris Keyes, Editor of Outside. “From New Belgium Brewing Company’s rock climbing wall, cyclocross track and free beer after work, to SmartWool’s annual company ski-day at Steamboat and 40 paid hours a year working at a nonprofit of their choice, to Osprey Packs’ renewable energy initiatives and paying employees $.50 per trip to walk or bike to work, these organizations have found a way to bring company morale to a whole new level while at the same time being responsible to their local communities and the environment. It’s a trend that we only see increasing in the years ahead.”
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ABOUT SMARTWOOL: SmartWool® is a leading performance brand offering wool-based apparel, socks and accessories. Nothing can compare to SmartWool® products for the ultimate in performance, comfort and easy care. SmartWool® fiber is superior at vaporizing moisture, controlling temperature and order and is guaranteed not to shrink. It’s also a renewable resource that illustrates the design genius of evolution. For information on the full range of SmartWool® products or to find a dealer near you, please log onto SmartWool’s award winning website: www.SmartWool.com. SmartWool Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Timberland Company.

ABOUT OUTSIDE MAGAZINE
Outside is America’s leading active lifestyle magazine, with over two million readers a month. For more than 30 years, the magazine has covered travel, sports, adventure, health, and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. Along with receiving many other accolades, Outside is the only magazine to win three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence. Visit the magazine online at www.outsideonline.com.


ABOUT BEST COMPANIES GROUP
Best Companies Group (BCG) was formed in January of 2004, with the purpose of identifying and recognizing best employers within a city, statewide, regional and industry stages. BCG will partner with B-to-B media and other business or human resource organizations to publicize the opportunity, encourage participation and to recognize those who make the list of “Best Places to Work,” “Best Companies” and “Best Employers.” BCG is a division of Journal Publications Inc (JPI), a multi-title publishing and events company located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. JPI publishes the Central Penn Business Journal, Central Penn Parent, NJBIZ, Next Magazine, and a host of other well-respected publications.