Scoular, an employee-owned agribusiness spanning 100-plus offices and 1,200-plus associates in North America and Asia, is embarking on its 130th year within a new global headquarters at 13660 California Street in Omaha.
The headquarters is home to around 130 employees – roughly double the local headcount reported five years ago – well, at least on a Monday to Wednesday schedule anyway.
“We felt it was important to create enough space for all employees to be in the office at the same time,” said Kelli Eickhoff, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Our hybrid work schedule provides for three days in the office … and employees can choose if they’d like to work from home or at the office on Thursday and Fridays.”
Eickhoff continued: “Having all of us together on Mondays through Wednesdays enables all the benefits of working side by side. The back part of the week allows for personal flexibility, with technology enabling productive virtual offices and teamwork.”
Now a $6 billion employee-owned organization with self-described “solutions for customers at every step in the agricultural supply chain,” Scoular’s history predates the Spanish-American War and the sinking of the Titanic. The supply chain giant got its start in 1892, by George Scoular, as Scoular Grain & Lumber Co. of Superior, Nebraska. Through the years, the company has acquired several terminal and country elevators, expanded its footprint across the country and around the globe, shifted to merchandising and distribution, entered into the feed ingredients and byproducts marketing space, and established itself as an early adopter of clean label solutions by beginning to trade identity-preserved grain and soybeans, and receiving its organic certification in 1994.
The creation of new business units in food and pet food ingredients, the purchase of a river terminal and entrance into the renewable fuels market, the expansion of its global capabilities in special crops, pulses and associated specialty food ingredients would follow between 1998 to 2015. More recent notables include the launch of Petsource in 2019, a strategic focus on Asia-Pacific with new leadership in the region (also in 2019) and the launch of Roger in 2020. Described by Scoular as an independent technology company that provides digital tools to shippers and carriers in the dry bulk truck freight industry, Roger is reportedly the brainchild of several major agricultural forces partnering with Scoular.
This rich and lengthy history has been integrated into the three-story space, which was reimagined by Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture and also enlisted the expertise of local partners Sampson Construction, Ervin & Smith, and Sheppard’s Business Interiors. For instance, the new office features a 35-foot backlit wall showcasing George Scoular and growth and innovation over time.
“We started to evaluate options for a new global headquarters in February 2020,” Chief Financial Officer Andy Kenny recalled. “That endeavor was prompted by our company strategy, specifically two of our five strategic pillars: collaborating to drive stakeholder value and evolving our culture.”
Additionally, Kenny noted, Scoular’s strategy aspires to achieve double-digit growth each year resulting in increased talent needs, particularly in Omaha. This led to the need for a new and expanded space to accommodate such growth.
A nod to its engagement with employees in the design of the new and expanded space, Eickhoff said they heard four key things from employees about what they wanted in the headquarters: a welcoming and collaborative environment, open and visually-connected surroundings, incorporation of the latest in smart technologies, and an embrace of the Scoular heritage and brand.
Chief Executive Officer Paul Maass also highlighted how Scoular employees demonstrated inclusion, collaboration, and perseverance in the planning of its new headquarters space.
“I am so proud of not only what we’ve all accomplished throughout our 100-plus-year legacy,” he said. “But, especially during the significant disruption of the pandemic.”
Maass largely referenced how the building represents a commitment to invest back in the organization.
“It’s important to provide a high-performance, collaborative and flexible space where everyone feels included and can do their best work,” he said. “I’m also proud that Scoular continues to call Omaha home and that we’ve made this investment in our community.”
Maass continued: “Scoular, like other inspirational business leaders in Omaha, works passionately and tirelessly to make Omaha a vibrant place to work and live.”
When asked about words of wisdom for those readers who are considering reinvestments in spaces to support existing and future talent, Eickhoff said “smart employers can’t go wrong investing in their people.”
“Hybrid work environments are here to stay, and they mix the best of both worlds,” she said. “The pandemic taught us to think creatively and innovatively in how we work, including regular work from home. There’s also huge benefit in face-to-face collaboration, building relationships, and culture creation that would be lost in 100% remote work. Creating a great common space enables those things, making a difference in employees’ work satisfaction and having a direct impact on the bottom line.”
A Robust Future for Scoular
Its record performance and future growth plans have driven the need for new employees, and Eickhoff said Scoular’s hiring outlook continues to increase with growth.
“At Petsource by Scoular, an independently-operated subsidiary headquartered in Seward, Nebraska, we recently announced a $75 million expansion and investment in Nebraska,” she said. “With this, Petsource is expecting to hire an additional 80 employees.
“Across Scoular,” Eickhoff continued, “over the past six months, we have increased our staff by over 10% and we anticipate continued hiring in the near- and longer-term future.”
Going forward, Kenny said, though Scoular is not in a position to predict the outcome of the fiscal year, the organization is half-way through FY22 (ending in May), and has exceeded last year’s midpoint annual sales milestone.
“Our industry is going through a dynamic time and the growth strategy we established has guided us,” he explained. “Our strength comes from our strategy and our talent, which has resulted in achieving strong financial results to date.”
When asked about key takeaways, Eickhoff emphasized the value Scoular places on its employees; for instance, while building its new space, significant resources were allocated to ensure health and safety.
“We significantly upgraded the HVAC system, which is equipped with hospital quality filtration, which includes ultraviolet light in the ductwork,” she said. “Scoular values our employees and prioritizes their health and well-being.”
Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer Megan Belcher also emphasized how the new space has provided the team “with a new and expanded opportunity to bring Scoular’s refreshed brand to live — whether it be in the distinct décor, or the large mobile version of our logo hanging in the lobby.”
She also revisited Scoular’s partnerships, referencing both Alley Poyner Macchietto and digital marketing agency Ervin & Smith.
“We were very deliberate to partner with other strong Omaha community leaders,” she said, “bringing that refreshed brand to our space. And we think their support of our historic legacy has paid fabulous returns, bringing the refreshed face of the strong Scoular brand to life in our employees’ workspace.”
Belcher also highlighted another dimension to the organization, The Scoular Foundation, which was reportedly established in 1983 in direct response to its founders’ commitment to support the communities its employees and customers call their home and/or workplace.
“Scoular has a deep commitment to investing in the communities where our employees live and work, around the world,” she said. “We make that investment through the time, treasure, and talent of our employees, our company leadership, and through The Scoular Foundation.”
She explained that the foundation leverages a set of key guiding principles to drive its giving decisions.
“And we have also set goals around our community engagement through our sustainability program,” Belcher said. “In Omaha, our employees and the Foundation have strong partnerships with the Food Bank for the Heartland, inCommon, the Women’s Center for Advancement and United Way of the Midlands.”
Belcher also noted that, in 2021, Scoular established a nonprofit board development program for its senior leaders, officers and other interested leadership which, she said, “is paying great dividends.”
She referred to Scoular’s engagement with nonprofits and around the country.
“We look forward to expanding and strengthening our strategic community relationships in 2022,” she said, “and continuing to achieve against our related sustainability measures.”
402-342-3500 • 13660 California St. Omaha 68154 • www.scoular.com
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