The Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to help the leaders of small and midsize organisations create better workplaces, have teamed up to create their first annual list of the best small workplaces in the U.S. in a report called Top Small Workplaces. The 15 winners were featured in the Journal Report on Small Business in yesterday’s print and online editions of The Wall Street Journal.

The U.S. based Reflexite Corporation, who also has offices throughout Europe and a manufacturing plant in Ireland, successfully secured a winning place in the highly prestigious list of 15 winning companies, despite some fierce competition, to be considered exceptional small employers in the U.S., which include private, non-profit and publicly held organizations. The Journal Report spotlights those small businesses that have built workplace environments that encourage collegiality, professional growth and provide an atmosphere and benefits that make their employees want to stay.

"Small businesses continue to be the engine of economic growth in the U.S.," said Marcus W. Brauchli, managing editor, The Wall Street Journal. "By providing our readers with this list of top workplaces, the Journal is able to capture the importance of what small businesses have to offer their employees and clients, particularly in their workplace practices. These small companies are leading innovators and tend to be role models for larger companies by creating an environment that encourages productive behaviour."

"Each of the 15 Top Small Workplaces winners has a great story to tell," said Ken Lehman, Winning Workplaces founder and board chair.  "The winners come from very different business sectors and are geographically diverse. But, they share a commitment to valuing, trusting, and respecting their employees, and viewing them as the key to achieving business success.  These winners should inspire small businesses everywhere that they, too, can become great workplaces."

The Journal and Winning Workplaces began soliciting nominations last fall, receiving 850 recommendations.  The nominees were asked to fill out full-length applications – of which 437 were completed – and the batch was culled to 35 finalists. A national panel of small-business experts was chosen by The Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces to judge the finalists. The workplace winners were selected based on both metrics and qualitative assessment of their success in creating workplaces that nurture, challenge and reward employees.

The Journal will continue coverage of this year’s Top Small Workplaces by interviewing leaders of the winning companies every Wednesday on "Independent Street," the new small business blog featured on WSJ Entrepreneur at www.wsj.com/entrepreneur".

Reflexite Corporation is an International company with member companies based all over the globe. Being totally committed to the development, manufacture, and marketing of retroreflective products that enhance recognition and safety is at the forefront of the Reflexite Corporation’s business strategy. All of the employees, who are co-owners of the company, share a special dedication to quality, service and innovation.