Below is the 2019 year in review for Wright Service Corp., an excerpt from Chairman and CEO Scott Packard’s speech during Wright Service Corp.’s Annual Awards Banquet that took place on March 6, 2020 in West Des Moines, Iowa.

In the past year, Wright Service Corp. (WSC) ranked as the 24th largest ESOP company in North America and 24th in Top Workplaces in Iowa.

We commenced our five-year strategic plan that will leverage our competencies into new products and services, enhance operational excellence and effectively align talent, structure and processes.

We’ll break ground on our new North American headquarters this spring, a building that will showcase our commitment to sustainability – it will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified and put most of us under one roof.

We cemented our strategy in the Canadian market with the acquisition of ArborCare in Calgary and launch of Wright Tree Service (WTS) of Canada.

And here in the states, we launched Verdure Elements, our interior plant design and maintenance service in Omaha.

I’d say after 87 years we may have hit our stride and we’re not taking our foot off the gas. In 2017, we grew the worth of our company by more than 35%. In 2018, it jumped to 68%. Well, 2019 surpassed the previous record, returning 82% to our employee owners.

We continued our streak of record revenue growth to 17 years. While experiencing tremendous growth over the last few years, none of this would have happened without the continued support and dedication of our employees.

For those of you who have been along for the ride and witnessed the changes – from leadership to an expanded footprint across North America – you are at the heart of all the decisions we make. All 5,300 plus of you, you’re the thread that keeps it together. And for those of you who have been with us for years to our newest employees and partners, thank you for making it happen.

As I have said before, put your people first, take smart risks and don’t be afraid of failure because it’s only an opportunity to try again – only smarter. Because without you, none of this exists.

And in whatever you do, put our highest value, safety, first.

This speech was published in the Wright Service Corp. biannual newsletter, The Wright Perspective. Read the full newsletter here.