W.L. Gore

Maker of technology and fiber products for consumers and businesses.

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Headquarters:
555 Papermill Road
Newark, DE 19711
Employees: 6,000
CEO: Chuck Carroll
Privately held

Website: http://www.gore.com

Career Site

W.L. Gore & Associates is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics and medical markets.

The company is best known for its Gore-Tex fiber jackets and Elixir strings for guitars. It also makes electronic components, filtration systems, surgical products and sealants.

W.L. Gore has approximately 6,000 associates in 45 locations around the world. Annual revenues are over $1.5 billion.

The company has been named one of The Best Companies to Work For eight consecutive years.

History

The company was founded January 1, 1958, in Newark, DE, by Wilbert L. (Bill) and Genevieve (Vieve) Gore in the basement of their home. Gore set out to explore opportunities for fluorocarbon polymers, especially polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Within the first 12 years, Gore had wire and cables on the moon and operations worldwide.

Gore-Tex fiber was first manufactured in 1972. The Elixir guitar strings line is introduced in 1997.

Benefits

Core Benefits - These basic plans and services are provided to all eligible associates. Gore assumes the costs of core benefits.
ASOP - The Associate Stock Ownership Plan provides equity ownership, and through this ownership provides financial security for retirement. All associates have an opportunity to participate in the growth of the company by acquiring ownership in it. Each year Gore contributes up to 12% of pay to an account that purchases Gore stock for associates with more than one year of service. Associates have ownership of the account after five years of service, when they become 100% vested.
Gore 401(k) Plan - The other piece of Gore's retirement program is this tax-advantaged savings plan, which includes a company-provided contribution of up to 3% of pay to associates' personal investment accounts. Associates are eligible after one month of service. (The plan also permits associate contributions. See Flexible Benefits section.)
Vacation - Associates receive vacation as follows. Experienced new hires may be eligible to receive vacation credits based on vacation earned at their immediate prior employers.
Years of Service - Number of Vacation Days
 Less Than 1 Year -  5
 1-4 Years - 10 
 5-9 Years - 15 
10-19 years - 20 
 20 years or More - 25 
Holidays - Gore's holiday schedule includes 11 holidays each year. New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas are always among them.
Profit Sharing - Profits remaining after business requirements are met are distributed among associates as profit sharing. Profit shares are distributed when established financial goals are reached.
Pay Continuation - After three months of service, associates are eligible for continuation of pay if unable to work due to a non-job related illness or injury.
Basic Life Insurance - Each associate is given an amount of life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance equal to his or her annual pay.
Travel Accident Insurance - While traveling on company business, associates are insured for $200,000.
Social Security Pension - The Social Security pension is funded by a payroll tax; associates and the company contribute equally.
The ASSIST Program - Through the ASSIST Program, associates and their family members have access to confidential short-term counseling and referral services. The service is provided at no cost to associates.
Gore Flex Dollars - Associates receive Gore Flex Dollars to pay for their flexible benefits choices.  Consistent with our fairness principle, all eligible associates receive the same amount in flex dollars. If the chosen coverage exceeds the flex dollar amount, associates may use pre-tax dollars from their pay. Flex dollars not used to purchase benefits are included as taxable income in associates' paychecks.
Adoption Aid - Gore provides up to $5,000 for certain adoption-related expenses. The benefit is available to associates after one year of service.
Health Advocate - All associates benefit from this health advocacy and assistance service. It offers help in finding primary care physicians, identifying specialist physicians and medical institutions, and solving claims, billing and related administrative issues.

Flexible Benefits - Associates choose benefits and coverage from a full range of plans to personalize their benefits package.
Medical - Two preferred provider plans (PPOs) and a traditional indemnity plan (with 80% coverage, a 20% associate copayment, and $500 deductible per person) are available. HMOs are offered in our larger locations.
Dental - A comprehensive dental plan includes varying levels of coverage for preventative care, basic procedures, major restorative care, and orthodontia.
Gore 401(k) Plan - In addition to the company contribution to the 401(k) (see Core Benefit section), associates benefit from the option of making their own pre-tax contributions of up to 20% of pay.  Associates are eligible to participate after one month of service.
Spending Accounts - Associates may pay with pre-tax dollars for health and dependent care expenses that are not covered by other parts of the flexible benefits program. Examples of uses for spending accounts are deductibles, co-payments and work-related dependent care.
Supplemental Associate Life - In addition to basic life insurance in the amount of pay, associates may choose supplemental life insurance amounts of one to five times pay for a total of up to six times pay.
Family Life - Three levels of family life insurance are offered for spouses and dependent children.
Long-Term Disability - Continuing income at 60% of pay is available if an associate is unable to work due to a disabling injury or illness.
Personal Vacation Days - Associates may purchase extra time off in the form of one to five personal vacation days per year.
Eyewear Plan - The plan helps to cover the cost of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Updated November 18, 2005

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