Retirees greet one another warmly for the annual Starmet family barbecue. The concept of a company extended family is a meaningful one. The connection with retirees is retained throughout the year through newsletters and informational mailings and invitations, and their presence is a welcoming one at the annual Winterfest dinner that begins the new year. There is a sense of continuity and an institutional memory.

On the bulletin boards there are personnel messages, an outreach of remembrance for condolences, convalescence and congratulations. Sociability often for a charitable cause extends to athletic events, softball games, golf leagues, group travel excursions, blood drives, employee and anniversary appreciation luncheons. There is an informal friendly atmosphere, a cooperative spirit and a tradition of generosity, of reaching out beyond oneself. A golf cart donated to an area country club is not only for a disabled colleague to use but also for anyone in need. Starmet's is an easy company to know. Employees often stay a long time. Such continuity of employment and length of service is rare in our mobile society

"The level of employee involvement was very high and in some cases the knowledge, competence, cooperation and energy exceeded the team's expectation", commented a new employee after their first week at Starmet. The collegial spirit prevails.

Commitment to Community

Starmet has long occupied a major place in Concord's commercial life for the past 40 years and continues to be one of the town's major employers. As a corporate resident Starmet is an integral part of the Concord community supporting and participating in many of its civic and cultural activities.

Working to the betterment of the community is a stated objective of the company and extends to 30 towns and 26 different agencies. Many area human service organizations benefit from the company's charitable donations.

Starmet has established two annual science memorial scholarships at Concord-Carlisle High School in honor of the innovative scientific accomplishments of founder Dr. Albert Kaufmann and colleague Paul Loewenstein. The company is an active member of the School/Business Partnership at Concord-Carlisle High School, participating in the Skills for Success Program and professional shadow days and mentoring programs with students.

Annual records are broken for the United Way campaign with over 98 percent participation by Starmet employees. The spirit of giving and community commitment is part of the Starmet culture and a visible part of life of its activities, from Blood Drives, to Salvation Army and Open Pantry deliveries, to running for My Brother's Table, to golf to benefit the Concord Museum to softball games for Easter Seals, to golf for the Concord Museum's education fund.

Leadership within the town of Concord is also a part of company life. The Concord Business Partnership, a business organization and forum that works with town government leaders on shared community goals, has its office at Starmet and the company actively participates in the Rotary Club of Concord, the Concord Chamber of Commerce, and on the Board of Directors of the Concord Museum.