CSR Event

"The Sonnax Story: Entrepreneurship in High Gear" Guest Speaker: Neil Joseph

June 20, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. - Room 2East

Neil Joseph is the former Founder, President and Majority Owner of Sonnax Industries Inc. founded in 1978. As an engineering, manufacturing and marketing company, Sonnax is a leading international supplier of transmission and torque converter parts for cars, heavy equipment, racing vehicles and military applications.

Neil focused on the difficult challenge of competing in a global marketplace while creating jobs in the local community. The company built several technical centers worldwide and published in over ten languages. Locally, it earned the title of third fastest growing company in Vermont for ten years (Vermont Magazine, Winter 2005). In May 2005, Sonnax received the Vermont International Business Council's Exporter of the Year Award, and in 2003 & 2004, the 5x5x5 Growth Award from the Vermont Business Magazine and Key Bank.

Sonnax also earned the Worksite Wellness Award from the Governors Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in 2003 & 2004. An in-house fitness center, sessions with a personal trainer, and yoga classes are offered free to all employees. Sonnnax provides annual flu shots and office space with an adjoining playroom for employees who need to bring a child to work.

In addition to its social initiatives, the company's headquarters in Rockingham, VT, was built in 1997 with nontoxic green materials throughout. Sonnax was awarded The International Design Award by Diehl Graphsoft for the innovative use of materials, efficiency, and design. In 1998 it was the most energy efficient building in Vermont.