For over 150 years, HWI has partnered with companies to provide solutions in virtually every industry that requires refractories. And while the people and products of HWI are as rock solid as ever, we’re moving forward with a whole new level of intensity. Our company is continuously evolving; our cultural beliefs and values should reflect where we are today, and where we want to be.
We’ve redefined our company’s strategic direction with a focus on one unifying vision: to be the first and only call for industry. We’ve built a culture where every employee is empowered and driven to achieve our key results.
Our Values
Our company values ground us in our past; they steer us in the present, and help ensure our sustainability for the future. When we align through our values, that unity supports our vision to be the first and only call for industry.
We exist as a results-oriented, successful company because we are: Safety First. Trustworthy. Sustainable. Inclusive. Innovative. And Passionate.
Safety First > We are committed to keeping our employees, their families, our customers and our communities safe. Safety is our top priority. Without it our company cannot exist.
Trustworthy > We are consistently reliable and dependable. We act ethically and with integrity. We are honest and we keep our word. We exceed objectives to increase our colleagues’ and customers’ confidence in us.
Sustainable > As a company, we are committed to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Incorporating sustainable practices and driving for continuous improvement positions us as a thriving company with vitality for generations to come.
Inclusive > We are committed to individual and company efforts to build respect, dignity, fairness, caring and equality. We embrace diversity in all its forms and appreciate that both our similarities and our differences make us a stronger, more sustainable company.
Innovative > We thrive on being challenged and inspired to find new and better solutions for both our business and our customers’ business. We create an environment where new ideas are encouraged.
Passionate > We honor and encourage the passion, determination and perseverance that our employees bring to work every day. We are proud of our employees who love what they do, and why they are doing it. The drive and commitment of our passionate employees energizes, engages and inspires others.
Our Beliefs
Our cultural beliefs are how we want to live these values. The environment we create at HWI through living our cultural beliefs becomes our collective employee experience – our culture.
Our culture comprises all the things we say, what we do, how we interact with each other, and what we believe. Together, we define and own our culture by creating the experience of working at HWI. Our culture supports our everyday work-life, making us a great place to work, and it keeps us aligned on our common goal of delighting our customers.
Our cultural beliefs are aspirational, and they set an expectation for how we behave as individuals, as a team, and how we conduct our business.
Customer Focus > I create mutual value and solutions that enable our customers’ success.
Take Accountability > I am responsible to drive our success.
Drive Improvement > I embrace change and lead continuous improvement.
Communicate Effectively > I actively listen and collaborate to optimize results.
Be Tenacious > I act with a sense of urgency to finish the job right.
Engage People > I make HWI a great place to work.