How PCCA’s Commitment to Company Culture and Innovation Fues the Cotton Industry’s Future
by Amy Devitt, Rebekah Lofton, and Heather Cervantez, PCCA Human Resources
Before PCCA was even a company, farmers’ passion to cooperatively come together to innovate, problem-solve, and get the best price for their cotton existed. Seventy-one years ago, our founders realized they could be stronger together. This story and identity are why people work for and with PCCA. Company growth, culture, and the words in a mission statement may change, but the root of the PCCA mission remains the same. We’re stronger together, inside and out. We invest in our employees because they, in return, invest hard work and innovation in you. This simple action adds insurmountable value to the company you own.
Two years ago, we reflected on our mission and how we were living our storied history as a company. We actively listened to our employees and how they felt their contributions to PCCA made a difference.
With the help of Talent Elevated, a company focused on strengthening company culture and developing leaders, surveys were distributed to all employees to discover common themes in which PCCA could grow and continue to improve for our grower-owners and gins. Primary research helped illuminate the critical initiatives needed to educate and immerse PCCA employees in the cotton industry while also recognizing the many assets each brings. Today, PCCA teams cultivate an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and heard through consistent employee collaboration. We’ve seen a direct correlation between these internal efforts and our external results. Working together in a positive company culture creates a space for innovation and motivation where everyone contributes their best work toward the co-op’s mission.
PCCA’s focus on cultivating a positive workplace culture is not just beneficial for employees. Companies that invest in their people and culture see a decrease in turnover while also increasing productivity and growth. PCCA has always been at the forefront of innovation, creating solutions and new ideas that propel the cotton industry forward. The Human Resources department developed a dashboard that helps leadership focus on crucial employee engagement and retention metrics. By focusing on employee engagement, PCCA ensures that we retain the top talent in the cotton industry that continues to drive innovation, creating returns for everyone involved in the organization.
“We never thought that PCCA wasn’t a good place to work, but harsh weather and intense competition left some of our team feeling disconnected from the resulting changes in strategy,” said Kevin Brinkley, PCCA’s CEO. “Most of our employees choose PCCA because they believe in the value of what we do and who we serve. Our work on culture helped us refocus on why we’re here. Ensuring every PCCA employee can contribute is how we measure the success of this work.”
As we continue to focus on enhancing company culture and the work environment, our efforts are directed toward upholding our mission statement and six core values. These can be found on display in each location and are seen daily by all employees. PCCA’s mission statement states that we exist “to enhance the profitability of our growers and gins.” Whether it’s an employee newsletter, CEO video update, or training session, each piece of internal communication reinforces how employees should live out our mission and values. These guiding principles help us retain a quality workforce. Our employees have the unique opportunity to show up daily and use their knowledge and expertise to serve our grower-owners. For us, it’s more than a job.
From the beginning of an employee’s experience with PCCA, we focus on an immersive onboarding experience that introduces employees to the company and the cotton industry. As part of PCCA’s onboarding program, new employees visit a cotton farm, gin, PYCO Industries, Inc., Farmer’s Cooperative Compress, and the USDA Cotton Classing Office. These site visits give employees an understanding of each segment of the cotton industry so they have the knowledge and expertise necessary to support our grower-owners and customers. Site visits also allow employees to meet the farmers or customers they will work with. These in-person connections are foundational to an employee’s training and strengthen ties that can last an entire career.
Recognition has also been a crucial focus in improving PCCA’s culture. By identifying and rewarding high performers, we help employees understand that their contributions are essential to the company’s success. Recognition also helps foster inclusion. Employees who feel they belong are more invested in the company and the industry. PCCA offers growers and gins a team of dedicated employees invested in a common goal: achieving the highest possible value for their cotton.
“The process was intense for us,” Brinkley said, “but anyone can make progress toward a better culture, and difficult times are when you need it the most.”
At PCCA, we also recognize the fundamental role of education and training in amplifying our employees’ value to farmers. Our team has the proper knowledge and expertise to provide our partners with the best support in the cotton industry’s ever-changing landscape, but there is always something new to learn.
This cultural journey has offered more training and education opportunities to expand our employees’ knowledge base each year. In early September 2024, plant managers and supervisors across PCCA’s Warehouse Division traveled to Lubbock for three training days. The Human Resources department and warehouse leadership collaborated with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) for the sessions. The company offers manufacturer training and focuses on practices that boost productivity, supply chain development, and product innovation. This training emphasized the importance of maintaining the value of the bales sent to our locations by farmers. By investing in our leaders with training tailored to their needs, PCCA continues to invest in our position as our members’ most reliable cotton storage and logistics solution.
In the uncertainty the cotton industry often faces, know this: PCCA employees are deeply invested in providing stability and support for farmers, gins, and their operations. By investing in the culture at PCCA, we ensure our employees are prepared to stand by farmers in tough times, stay ahead of volatile markets, and continue to provide unique and individualized service. Initiatives like onboarding, recognition, and education ensure that PCCA retains the most talented people in the industry. This cultural journey leads us back to PCCA’s founding belief: we are stronger together.
