In 1989 a 32-year-old electrical engineer took a fat tire bicycle tour through Europe. A passion for Belgian beer developed and the young man, Jeff Lebescg returned to Ft. Collins, CO. and proceeded to turn his dream into reality with the help of Kim Jordan his wife and current CEO of New Belgium brewing.
Fat Tire Ale is the flagship brand of 27 produced last year. I like it. More than that I like what Jeff and Kim have created. Sure a successful business with 300 employees that has persistently grown over 20 years is a great accomplishment.
Together with the employee owners of New Belgium Brewing they consistently prove that you can do well and do good. Give more to get more. Responsible business in action. A company that 20 years later still lives by the vision and values that emerged from a hike into the Rockies with a jug of home brew.
New Belgium Brewing Purpose Statement:
To operate a profitable brewery which makes our love and talent manifest.
Company Core Values and Beliefs
- Remembering that we are incredibly lucky to create something fine that enhances people’s lives while surpassing our consumers’ expectations.
- Producing world-class beers.
- Promoting beer culture and the responsible enjoyment of beer.
- Kindling social, environmental and cultural change as a business role model.
- Environmental stewardship: Honoring nature at every turn of the business.
- Cultivating potential through learning, high involvement culture, and the pursuit of opportunities.
- Balancing the myriad needs of the company, our coworkers and their families.
- Trusting each other and committing to authentic relationships and communications.
- Continuous, innovative quality and efficiency improvements.
- Having Fun.
We spent a couple of hours there with leaders from around the world that my pal Richard and I are working with. Everyone was impressed. Free beer, cool facility, friendly people – what’s not to like?
Window dressing or for real? Well, in 1998 employee owners (all employees who have been there for at least a year) voted to fore-go annual bonuses to invest in a wind farm. It proved to be a good business decision and was certainly up close and personal.That’s just one example of the circumstantial evidence.
This is an exceptional company that lives its stated values. I’m the Outsider and that’s what I think
