DALTON GA, November 18, 2008 – Joseph Santonastaso and Matt Wells of Beaulieu taught everyone how it’s done, by winning two of the three top awards at the recent Georgia Society of Technical Training and Development Fall Workshop held in Dalton. Santonastaso won for Safety Trainer of the Year and Wells won Classroom Trainer of the Year. The GSTTD has primarily served the carpet industry since 1974 by promoting excellence in training. Beaulieu has supported the GSTTD since its beginning and nominated a record 15 associates from its own ranks this year.

According to Lynn Chambers, Director of Employee Development at Beaulieu, this kind of participation from her company comes as no surprise. “Good training fits our corporate mission to be the supplier of choice and the employer of choice in our industry.”

Santonastaso is a 24-year veteran of Beaulieu and is the Plant Safety Trainer for a Beaulieu facility with over 660 associates. He has a vast knowledge of OSHA and company safety policies and is called on frequently to facilitate safety training at various Beaulieu facilities.

Wells is an Industrial Engineer and is responsible for process improvement direction through classroom instruction, including Beaulieu’s Lean Six Sigma program. One improvement idea alone coming out of Matt’s department has saved Beaulieu over $50,000. annually.
Beaulieu of America is the third largest carpet manufacturer in the world, employing over 6,000 people in 30 facilities.

For more information, contact: Patricia Flavin, Senior VP of Marketing, Beaulieu of America
800-227-7211 patricia.flavin@beaulieugroup.com