Page 34 - Top Workplaces 2018

Operator: lwahowskidoell Desc: Time: 02-14-2018 13:00 Jobname:

SMALL COMPANIES NO. 3
KRAUSE TOYOTA

The Krause family has
been selling cars in the
Lehigh Valley for more
than 90 years and four
generations.

AMY HERZOG/THE MORNING CALL

Krause Toyota treats employees like family

Every worker is treated equally and given a chance to thrive.

By Daryl Nerl its low-key, pressure-free approach to J. Krause, Matt Krause, a fourth genera- p.m., 6 p.m. on Fridays and 4 p.m. on
Special to The Morning Call selling cars. tion family member, took over as deal- Saturdays, which Costa said was a big
“If you’re my customer and you say, ership president in 2017. factor when he took the job 26 years
n his workdays, Cliff Swoyer ‘Hey Cliff, I’ve got to go home and “It’s a great family-run dealership. ago.
commutes more than 60 miles think about this, or I’ve got to go home They really care about their employees,” “I had three young boys at the time,”
and an hour-and-a-half from and talk to the wife, or I’ve got to go said Dave Costa, a Krause Toyota sales he said. “Not being able to see them,
O his home in Berwick, Colum- home and talk to the husband,’ where manager. working until six o’clock at night on a
bia County, to his job selling cars at other dealers tend to force you. You’re “The floor isn’t overstocked with Saturday, waking up at 7 and not getting
Krause Toyota in Breinigsville. here for four hours. Pressure, pressure, salespeople. We only have eight sales- in until 9, 10 o’clock at night. My kids
With more than 20 years of sales pressure, pressure. I don’t like it. My people here. With that, everyone has a were growing up without me. It really
experience under his belt, Swoyer could customers don’t like it. That’s why I’m chance to make a living. Instead of hurt.”
certainly get a job selling cars closer to here,” Swoyer said. having 20 people on the sales floor and Audrey Belles, who has been the
home. He just doesn’t want to. Swoyer, who is originally from Beth- everyone fighting for a customer, we try office manager at Krause for 30 years,
“They treat us like family,” Swoyer lehem, started working at Krause in and keep it where you can make a very said owners were always very under-
said of his bosses, the Krause family, 1997, but his family history with the good living,” he said. standing of her need to balance her
which has been selling cars in the dealership dates back to 1965 when his “I know some dealerships have 30- duties as a mother with her responsibili-
Lehigh Valley for 90 years and four father bought a Dodge Power Wagon — some salespeople and they’re fighting ties in the office.
generations. a light truck. Back then Krause was for customers.” “It’s a very good place to work,” she
That, in a nutshell, sums up the feel- located in Schnecksville and sold Costa was among several employees said. “I like working for Krause’s be-
ings of employees at Krause, which was Chryslers as well as Toyotas. who also said they appreciated working cause they are just very kind people.
the No. 3 small employer in the Top With 38 employees, Krause is the for a car dealer that maintains a reason- They treat us like family. If you have
Workplaces 2018 survey. This was the oldest continually operating Toyota able work schedule, which includes problems, you can go to them and they
second consecutive year Krause placed dealership in the United States. The time off for holidays. While other deal- are very understanding.”
among the top three small employers in family had been selling cars for more ers open for big sales on Memorial Day Belles leads the team of four office
the survey. than 30 years before launching sales of and Labor Day, Krause Toyota stays employees who do accounting, taxing,
For Swoyer, one of the things he the Japanese make in September 1959. closed.
likes best about working for Krause is With the recent retirement of Robert Normally, the shop closes daily at 8
See Page 35

34 2018 ❘ TOP WORKPLACES