REI (Recreational Equipment Corp.), Zappos.com and W.L. Gore & Associates were ranked eighth, 11th and 38th on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.
The recognition marks the highest-ever ranking for REI and 15th consecutive year of being named to the list.
“We are humbled to once again be named to FORTUNE’s ‘100 Best’ list, especially because it is largely based on candid employee feedback,” said Michelle Clements, senior vice president, Human Resources for REI. “Our more than 10,000 employees maintain an unwavering commitment to our values and culture which is the reason why we remain an employer of choice and are successful in helping others lead healthy active outdoor lifestyles.” Forbes estimated the company’s payroll increased 12 percent in 2011.
REI is one of only five companies to be on the list each year since its inception in 1998, including two previous book versions. REI also ranked highest of the Washington state-based companies on the list.
Another lifer on the list is W. L. Gore & Associates, which is best known in the sporting goods industry for its Gore-Tex and other high-performance fabrics. Employment at the company grew 2 percent in 2011, Fortune estimated.
Zappos.com, which is famous for its customer service, grew employment by 70 percent in 2011 to 3,003, Fortune estimated.
Other companies on the list with ties to the sporting goods industry included the law firm Perkins Coie and Nordstrom, which landed in the 58th and 61st spots respectively.
