Anritsu is a big business with a big heart. One of Morgan
Hill
’s largest employers delivers a product that benefits the entire
community – generosity – in addition to designing, manufacturing
and distributing wired and wireless technologies for the
communications market.
Anritsu is a big business with a big heart. One of Morgan Hill’s largest employers delivers a product that benefits the entire community – generosity – in addition to designing, manufacturing and distributing wired and wireless technologies for the communications market.
The Chamber of Commerce’s “Big Business of the Year” award winner has a diversified charitable program to support a myriad of needs in South County.
The Chamber of Commerce Showcase awards honor individuals, organizations and businesses for long-time community service.
The Morgan Hill site is Anritsu’s U.S. corporate headquarters, employing 600, many of whom live in the South Valley. They believe in spreading the wealth by supporting programs in education, community, social and human services, arts and the environment.
“We’re here to give, not just take,” said Mark Evans, president of Anritsu Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Anritsu Corp. “We believe in participating in the local community.”
Evans said this corporate culture emanates from their parent company in Japan. But each site is given the freedom to design a program that fits their area.
The Morgan Hill company does this through an Employee Council, comprised of six to seven individuals actively involved in the community. The council’s charter is to review requests for event sponsorship, equipment donations and cash contributions from organizations quarterly.
“These are employees who are involved themselves and enjoy being part of the council and the sense of community they receive,” said Gina Varela-Faust, corporate communications manager and chair of the council.
Anritsu’s process is somewhat informal. They accept proposals throughout the year unlike some corporations, which have a structured grant cycle. The council separates the requests into two areas: sponsored community events, and philanthropic contributions. Varela-Faust estimates Anritsu has contributed $450,000 in these areas, plus, equipment donations, in the past three years.
Support the community
More than a dozen local events and programs have benefited from Anritsu’s support. The Taste of Morgan Hill, Friday Night Music Series, Morgan Hill Independence Day, Haru Matsuri (Japanese Spring Festival) and the St. Louise Regional Hospital Golf Tournament are just a few.
Last spring, Anritsu sponsored and actively participated in “Relay for Life,” a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society that was held in Morgan Hill.
“I was on the Anritsu team and raised $1,200,” said Deborah Morton-Padilla, director of human resources. “I think I raised the most money on the team,” she added. Morton-Padilla is a cancer survivor herself.
Morton-Padilla receives comments from employees who’ve attended Anritsu-sponsored events and believes they like seeing the connection between where they work and live.
Anritsu is still committed to many programs but the sluggish economy means they have fewer dollars for both sponsorships and philanthropic giving, said Varela-Faust. Still, cash recipients from the past few years total more than 30 diverse organizations, including Emergency Housing Consortium, South Valley Youth Symphony, Live Oak Athletic Boosters, ChildSpree, MACSA El Toro Youth Center, Community Solutions and Teachers’ Aid Coalition.The list of past non-profit recipients totals more than 30 diverse organizations, including Emergency Housing Consortium, South Valley Youth Symphony, Live Oak Athletic Boosters, ChildSpree, MACSA El Toro Youth Center, Community Solutions and Teachers’ Aid Coalition.
The company offers a smorgasbord of options for people to get involved. Designing a charitable program that meets the needs of the entire workforce is a challenge but may be the recipe for Anritsu’s success.
“I’ve never worked for a company that was as involved in the community as Anritsu is or that has any type of formal contribution program,” said Morton-Padilla, who serves as board president for Community Solutions.
The company backed up its service philosophy with personnel dollars. When Varela-Faust was hired two years ago to head up internal communications under Morton-Padilla, she also was given the role of community liaison.
Leadership connection
She was the first Anritsu employee through Leadership Morgan Hill and now serves on the steering committee, and on the Chamber board. Currently, Connie Iobst, the facilities supervisor is enrolled in Leadership and the
company hopes to send someone each year, said Varela-Faust.
“I’ve very much enjoyed this and really learned about the community and the areas that need improving,” said Varela-Faust. “My energy is really getting involved in the community and bringing it back and sharing it with the employees.
“I’ve very much enjoyed this and really learned about the community and the areas that need improving. My energy is really getting involved in the community and bringing it back and sharing it with the employees.”
According to Varela-Faust, the employees are community and family-oriented and take a lot of pride in Anritsu. About a third of the work force lives in South County and many are involved in organizations outside of work, said Varela-Faust.
Because of this, the HR team hosts programs on-site at its Jarvis and Sutter Boulevard building during work hours. This builds camaraderie, team spirit and loyalty to the company while helping those less fortunate.
Employees gave generously through campus toy and food drives this past holiday season. Tags were hung on the company tree for gift ideas, which was coordinated through the South Santa Clara County Fire Department.
Morton-Padilla was responsible for shopping for a 7-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl.
“I bought cute little backpacks for each,” she said.
For the food drive Varela-Faust challenged staff to achieve the same Bronze level awarded them by the Second Harvest Food Bank in 2001, even though the workforce has shrunk. She set goals and created friendly competition between departments to make the 1,000-pound food goal.
“We did it,” said Varela-Faust, referring to the 13 barrels of collected food.
“The recreation committee said they would buy donuts for all the employees if the goal was met,” said Varela-Faust.
“Donut Day is actually tomorrow,” she laughed, glancing at her calendar.
The company received an Outstanding Food Donor Award of Excellence from Second Harvest for their company-wide efforts.
These programs make the employees feel good. But on-site programs also help busy folks manage their time.
Visiting Nurses administered flu shots on campus and American Red Cross hosted several blood drives for employees and residents.
“A lot of our employees are very proud of being a blood donor,” said Varela-Faust. “And the Red Cross was very grateful.”
But Anritsu – like the organizations it supports – hasn’t been immune to effects of the slumping economy. Even though the downturn forced a 40 percent employee reduction since October 2001, they remain vigilant and committed to improving the surrounding quality of life.
“We pride ourselves in long-term service,” said Evans, who’s lived in South County with his wife and two children since 1986.
According to Evans, the percentage of philanthropic support depends upon the business cycle. But he adds there are ways to contribute that don’t involve money. Anritsu encourages employee volunteerism, donates equipment to schools and universities and currently has more than six top managers serving on local non-profit boards.
Morton-Padilla added, “Whether it’s the corporate or the non-profit sector of business, it’s always about the people. You hope that what you do affects people in a positive way.”
Who is Anritsu?
Anritsu is the North American subsidiary of Anritsu Corp. of Japan. Morgan Hill is home to its U.S. corporate offices and manufacturing facilities. In 1990 Anritsu bought Wiltron Co., which had been in Morgan Hill since 1980. In 2001 the corporation was named one of Business Week’s Info Tech 100 top information technology companies. Anritsu is located on Jarvis Drive in the Morgan Hill Business Park. Its 600 employees make it the second largest employer in Morgan Hill. Anritsu Company, www.us.anritu.com; 778-2000.
