AcroMat is experiencing fast-paced, exciting growth. To make sure we are growing in lockstep with our valued team members, at the beginning of 2025 we reassessed our core values. This review led to the creation of 4 brand-new company values:
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Bring Contagious Energy
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Make Good Things Happen
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Pioneer New Paths
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Do What's Right, Always
Since the launch of these values, we've been chatting with AcroMat team members to learn what they represent to them. For Champion What's Right, Always, we're talking to Founder & General Manager Russell Herbert.
Russell has worked hard over the past 20 years to build AcroMat into an industry-leader in anti-fatigue matting and also a company people want to join and build their careers with. Find out what championing what's right means to Russell in the following Q&A.
What does "Champion What’s Right, Always" represent to you?
This value really brings to life two of our previous values which were Responsible and Transparent. The way our new value is worded is all about promoting a culture of doing the right thing. It’s about catching someone doing something right and celebrating that. It’s about doing our best work all the time and making the right decisions every day.
Because what’s right is appreciated and noticed by everyone we interact with; whether that is employees, suppliers, customers, or our partners. Championing what's right means we have a culture of mutual respect and trust. And, specific to our customers, they know they can trust AcroMat to provide anti-fatigue mats that perform as promised – backed by service that is always looking out for their best interests.
How does this value contribute to the overall culture at AcroMat?
No hidden agendas. We trust each other to do the right thing even when nobody is looking. Our employees know that we are looking out for their best interest so they in turn look out for the best interest of our customers, suppliers and partners.
There is no second guessing or covering up when something is done right, so it helps us move more quickly and achieve more.
The AcroMat office and production facility is designed to remind team members of the commitment we've made to our customers and each other: Quality, Customization, Service.
Have you seen someone champion what’s right here at AcroMat?
There are a couple of ways to look at this. First, what’s right is being championed all around us all the time. The way we answer the phone and how we treat our customers, accuracy and precision with order entry and accountability if we make mistakes, shipping every order within our guaranteed lead time, showing up for client site visits on-time to show we value their time, and following the process we have in place are all examples of championing what’s right.
Second, is when something has gone wrong and we make it right. For example, I recall a time we shipped a custom L-shaped mat to a client and the L was left-hand instead of right-hand.
The mistake wasn't on our end but, as soon as the customer informed us of the mat not fitting their workstation, our Production Supervisor Neil Braun took it upon himself to immediately re-make the mat. We then had it to the client within a couple days at no cost. We also let the customer keep the incorrect mat, and they were able to re-purpose it elsewhere in their facility.
How does this value impact your day-to-day work?
For me as the general manager, it’s great to know that every employee is focused on what’s right. For the company and for our clients. It colors every interaction and, as Steven Covey points out in his book, The Speed of Trust, “When trust goes up, speed goes up.” So, the impact is seen in the speed at which our team can move and achieve our goals.
What advice would you give to a new team member about championing what’s right?
There is nothing to hide when you do what’s right. It’s worth it. It’s noticed. It’s appreciated. And it’s expected of you. We all make mistakes, and nobody has made bigger mistakes than myself! But it’s how we respond to those mistakes that determines how we will be remembered.
So, own up to mistakes, learn from them, and anytime a decision needs to be made ask yourself, “What is the right action to take here?”
View our other Employee Spotlight Q&As:
Bring Contagious Energy: Q&A with Courtney Symington
