50 Best Workplaces to watch 2017
CIO Bulletin
In 1974, Bob Ontiveros followed the American Dream by starting a family-run packaging company from the back of a station wagon. Now, more than 40 years later, Group O is ranked by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as one of the top five Latino-owned businesses in the country, and has gained prestige for helping Fortune 500 companies turn their most complex business challenges into centers of profitability and efficiency.
Group O is an end-to-end outsourcing provider specializing in marketing, supply chain and packaging solutions. Based in Milan, Illinois, the company employs more than 1,000 professionals housed in 40 locations throughout the country, with major operations in Iowa, Minnesota and Texas.
In 1999, Bob retired, leaving his son, Gregg Ontiveros, to step up as principal owner and CEO. Gregg’s keen interest in developing and investing in premier technology- based solutions across a variety of verticals has allowed him to build on the success of his father’s small startup, skyrocketing the company’s worth from $49M upon Bob’s retirement to the thriving $507M enterprise it is today.
“Since 1974, we’ve been producing tailored, results-driven solutions for some of the world’s largest companies. Our clients choose Group O for our unique ability to react quickly to new opportunities and for driving new standards of excellence.†Gregg said.
Innovative technology solutions offered by Group O include e-store ordering portals, mobile app development and O-vations®, a customizable reward and loyalty platform. Since social media has transformed the way companies communicate to their customers, Group O has also invested in a comprehensive social media monitoring and communications platform to enhance its existing world-class customer care centers.
“Around here, change is exciting. We like to hang our hat on the fact that we have an innovative culture and are always looking for what’s next,†Gregg said. “I like to ask my clients, ‘What keeps you up at night? What problem do you need solved?’ For Group O to thrive, our team members must be creative, driven and passionate about technology. That’s really the backbone of who we are and what we want to be.â€
Exceeding Expectations —The Group O Difference
From developing marketing strategies to boost companies’ bottom lines, to customized kitting solutions, and optimizing packaging processes, Group O helps companies achieve better results.
Group O envisions itself to be “a business process outsourcing leader helping world-class clients drive better results through strategic marketing, supply chain, packaging, and business analytic solutions,†and its services are the embodiment of its visions. Group O’s cutting-edge solutions meet the needs of Fortune 500 clients across a broad range of industries, including food and beverage, telecommunications, manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, retail, financial services, pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology, public sector and energy.
“We are constantly evolving alongside our clients. We need to help them solve their challenges while being open to change for ourselves, â€Gregg said. “If we do that, we can deliver an enhanced environment for our stakeholders, including our clients, employees and the communities that we serve.†With over four decades of experience, Group O has created lasting business relationships and partnerships with some of the world’s top brands, including AT&T, Michelin, Caterpillar, Samsung and the United States Federal Reserve System. The company is committed to maintaining a number of quality certifications and protocols— allowing the delivery of reliable solutions time after time, and ensuring client satisfaction.
Driving New Standards of Excellence
Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Group O continuously updates its practices, explores new technologies and implements new solutions as today’s world becomes “smarter.†The company’s evolution has led to its status as an industry leader, providing personalized experiences and unmatched efficiencies across the marketing, supply chain and packaging verticals. Group O prides itself on leveraging technology to enable growth and deliver client value.
“As a business process outsourcer, we are an extension of our client’s brand and are dedicated to providing exceptional, world-class service to our clients and their customers. We are continually innovating so that we can quickly adjust to our client’s changing needs.†Gregg said.
Group O has always believed that company growth and innovation comes from its dependable workforce. The company strives to keep top talent on the team and provide each employee with a creative work environment that encourages skill development and opportunities to excel. They are briefed on their involvement in the company’s high-level objectives to instill a sense of pride and ownership of their roles and responsibilities. Company executives regularly schedule one-on-one meetings with their employees, enabling them to share their career goals and offer assistance on how to achieve those goals within the company’s ecosystem.
Since the beginning, Group O’s company culture has embraced diversity in all facets of business — not only in its extensive network of vendors and suppliers worldwide, but also in its employees. Additionally, the company is committed to promoting sustainable values among its workforce with a zero waste ideology, and fostering community involvement by supporting a number of nonprofits. It is upon such pillars that Group O has grown from its roots as a family-run start-up into the nationally recognized industryleader it is today.
Meet the Key Executive
Bob Ontiveros founded Group O in 1974 on the simple idea that virtually every business process can be improved. Upon Bob’s retirement in 1999, his son, Gregg Ontiveros, took over as principal owner and CEO. By developing and investing in premier technology-based solutions in the supply chain, packaging and marketing fields, Gregg Ontiveros has taken Group O from a $49M company in 1999 to the thriving $507M enterprise it is today. Gregg’s entrepreneurial spirit and continuous interest in emerging technologies promotes a collaborative environment that encourages Group O to react quickly to new opportunities while driving new standards of excellence.
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