The term “family-owned business” evokes many emotions in today’s business world. For some, it brings up feelings of community, trustworthiness, and pride. For others, it may conjure up insecurities such as the ability of the organization to scale and grow with their business needs. Here at Shawmut, it only means one thing: family.
A profile of Shawmut appeared recently in Canvas magazine: “Family Matters - An Inside Look at Why Family Businesses Remain So Vital”. In the article, author Charles Lunan explains how Shawmut continues to grow and invest in the organization, even in a down economy. And if you take a quick tour through our history, you can see it for yourself. Despite periods of rising unemployment rates, consolidation in the printing industry and massive technology changes, Shawmut’s owners—the Peluso family—have continued to prioritize their business, and more importantly, their employees.
“Everyone knows there is no ‘I’ in team, but not every company operates that way,” says Daniel Peluso, vice president of operations for Shawmut. “From the days when our grandmother served lunch for employees to our now 70+ person company, we’ve always wanted employees to feel like they are part of something special. They are part of our Shawmut family, and that feeling is evident in the way that they serve our customers.”
The article also shows how the Pelusos, like many other families operating their own business, are focused on the long-term. Ann M. Dugan, a managing director at the private consulting firm Headwaters SC, LP, stated that family businesses make long-term decisions because they have to think not only about the generation of family involved today but also the generations to come. “A long-term view allows customer relationships built on trust, quality, dependability and performance to unfold and become truly a deep relationship,” says Dugan. Click here to read the full article and see how Shawmut and others are helping to define the landscape of today’s commercial print landscape.
The Pelusos were delighted to be included in Canvas magazine, but the reaction from employees is what ultimately impressed them. A few employees shared the article on social media and commented on what it means to them to be part of the Shawmut family. Their sentiments express how we approach everything we do including customer relationships so we were excited to share them.
“From day one, I felt at home here at Shawmut—welcomed and appreciated. My favorite aspect of Shawmut is its fantastic employees. Always ready to work, help, mentor, and problem solve for the betterment of the company and its customers.”
— Chris Keshishian, Director of Wide Format Services“I cannot begin to express how the generosity from Shawmut owners as well as employees has affected my life over the last year. I was able to take the time to care for my husband after chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. After such treatments, there are many follow-up appointments, patient monitoring, and medication changes. Due to the generosity here at Shawmut, I got extra time off so my husband could concentrate solely on his recovery while I took care of everything else.
Just to add a couple of examples of the family spirit here at Shawmut, co-workers offered house cleaning services, food delivery, a Bible and more. He is an avid sports fan, and Shawmut treated us to a season opener Red Sox party which included raffles for various Red Sox items. One employee won a red sox shirt and brought it to me to give to my husband. Probably the most selfless and generous offer was made by an employee who offered to be tested to see if they could be the donor for stem cells. Shawmut is much more than just the place that I am employed; they truly are family.”
—Linda Holt, Customer Service Representative"This is why I have been with Shawmut since 1995. As the client in the article said: "I feel like I am part of something special". If you take a look around Shawmut now, you will find many employees that were already here when I started in 1995."
— David Gagnon, Account Executive
