BEST PLACE TO BUY OFFICE SUPPLIES

Storey-Kenworthy Inc.

“Persistence” is the word Dave Kenworthy uses to explain Storey-Kenworthy Inc.’s growing success in its office supply division. The company is persistent, said president Kenworthy, in getting to know customers’ individual needs and developing a program that supports those needs.

Clients can access an automated system that keeps track of past orders and search an inventory of more than 25,000 products, 99 percent of which can be ordered and delivered to the office the next day. Kenworthy also said that having access to 12 billion products through an international buying group allow the company to competitively price its products.

“We really work with clients to make sure they have the right products and the right processes in place to save money,” Kenworthy said.

New technology-driven products, printing supplies, writing instruments and computer accessories are popular items right now, especially anything that supports a “mobile office.” Each year, the company showcases its latest products to about 600 clients who also can speak directly with the manufacturers.

Future plans, said Kenworthy, are simply to continue to grow the company’s client base at six locations throughout the state.

Runners-up: The Triplett Cos.; Office Depot

BEST PLACE TO BUY OFFICE FURNITURE

Storey-Kenworthy Inc.

With so many diverse needs for office furniture in Des Moines, from small offices to international corporations, it takes plenty of staff to handle clients’ various requirements, said Dave Kenworthy, president of Storey-Kenworthy Inc.

The office furniture division has three units, including Storey-Kenworthy Office Interiors and Workspace Inc., which are aligned with key manufactures, said Kenworthy, and can work with clients to build complete offices. Business Furniture Warehouse, with new and used furniture sold at a cheaper price, is more directed to the individual consumer.

A crew of 100 employees, including consultants, designers, installation teams and inventory managers, supports a customer’s needs throughout the planning, building and assessment stages. Using a computer-aided design program, the staff can work with different office environments to create a more accurate design faster and cheaper than previous methods, while taking into account long-term planning.

“Our people, products, processes and commitment to consumers,” said Dave Kenworthy, are the reasons the company was again named the best place to buy office furniture in the Des Moines area this year.

Runners-up: Triplett Office Essentials; Pigott Inc.

BEST HEALTH-CARE INSURANCE PROVIDER

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Des Moines-based Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been selected by Business Record readers as Greater Des Moines’ best health-care insurance provider, the 10th year in a row the company has earned this distinction.

The insurer, which employs nearly 1,600 Iowans and provides coverage to more than 1.6 million customers in the state, offers a full range of products and services.

Wellmark is actively involved in providing wellness information to its members to help them make better health-care and lifestyle choices through programs such as Decisions Count and WalkingWorks. The company’s BlueConnection online self-service tools enable members to look up personalized health plan information and claims data, as well as locating doctors and hospitals within the BlueCard network for coverage outside Iowa. Through its BluePrints for Health program, Wellmark provides a Blue Health Coach to provide information and support for members facing a severe illness or complex medical problem.

The Wellmark Foundation, established in 1991, last year donated $250,000 to United Way through matching employee contributions. The private foundation awarded nearly $1.5 million to 57 community health-care projects throughout Iowa and South Dakota last year.

Runners-up: John Deere Health, Principal Financial Group Inc.

BEST TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT SERVICE COMPANY

Manpower Inc.

As workplace demands change, Manpower Inc. has evolved to match them, according to Michael Lynch, president of the global company’s Central Iowa office. Last winter, “we did some rebranding that included a new logo, a new look and colors, to help complete the transformation from what people used to think of as a general-labor type of company to a more sophisticated one,” Lynch said. For example, “accounting and finance-related assignments are probably 25 percent of our business now. Then there are IT people and engineering people who weren’t even part of our mix four or five years ago.”

In an average week, more than 800 Manpower temps are on assignment each week in Central Iowa, and the average assignment length has increased. “It’s usually a couple of weeks, and often quite a bit longer than that,” Lynch said.

The local Manpower office has added a couple of staff members and is considering further expansion, Lynch said. The company also is focusing on ramping up its online capabilities.

Runners-up: Kelly Services Inc.; Palmer Group.

BEST CASUALTY INSURANCE PROVIDER

EMC Insurance Cos.

With more than $2.1 billion in assets, EMC Insurance Cos. is one of the biggest property and casualty insurers in Iowa, and among the 60 largest insurance groups in the country. This year, Business Record readers have again chosen EMC as the best casualty insurance provider.

Based in Des Moines, the publicly traded insurer primarily focuses on the sale of commercial lines of property and casualty insurance to small and medium-sized businesses.

Last year, the company introduced its EMC Choice Businessowners products, designed to meet the needs of smaller and midsize businesses. The coverage is available to more than 200 small business classes, from convenience stores to motels to self-storage facilities. With those products, EMC offers two levels of coverage, which enables small business owners to decide how much protection they need. And if more coverage is desired, they have the option of choosing an expanded endorsement.

Among the company’s key developments: EMC Insurance Group Inc. became publicly held in 1982; EMC Property & Casualty Co., formerly American Liberty Insurance Co., was acquired by EMC in 1982 and redomesticated from Alabama to Iowa in 1996; and EMC National Life Co. was formed in July 2003 by the merger of Employers Modern Life Co. and National Travelers Life Co.

Runners-up: Allied Insurance, State Farm

BEST LIFE INSURANCE PROVIDER

Principal Financial Group Inc.

Through community involvement and projects like the Principal Riverwalk, Principal Financial Group Inc. has long been a familiar face in Des Moines. And in many ways it’s the face of the city, with its signature building at 801 Grand Ave. and its name on the Iowa Cubs ballpark.

Principal offers retirement plans, life and health insurance, wellness programs, and investment and banking products. But year after year, the company is awarded the title of best life insurance provider, and in a town where insurance is king, that is no small feat.

For Principal, it’s not just about life and disability income insurance. Financial strategies and estate planning are also important – for both customers and their heirs.

Customers can contact Principal via phone, e-mail, regular mail, the company’s Web site or by stepping into any local agent’s office. The other element that puts the Principal ahead of the competition, according to the company, is its dedicated and talented workforce.

Runners-up: American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co., Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co.

BEST EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM

Palmer Group

Strong relationships have enabled Palmer Group to become a leading executive search firm in Greater Des Moines, said founder Austin Palmer. For the fourth consecutive year, the West Des Moines company has been named by Des Moines Business Record readers as the best executive search firm.

“I think it’s a testimony to the fact that we have been able to forge nice relationships with not only outstanding candidates in the Des Moines and Central Iowa areas, but also with some of the best companies in Des Moines,” he said. “It kind of goes hand in hand. We have been lucky to have both.”

The experience and focus of Palmer Group’s 27 staff members have also contributed to the success of the 8-year-old firm. “It is indicative of the quality of the people that work here that have our clients’ and our candidates’ best interests at heart,” Palmer said.

Palmer Group provides search, staffing, information technology consulting and outplacement services. Its areas of expertise include accounting and finance, information technology, human resources, sales and marketing, office administration, engineering, and new this year, insurance.

Runners-up: Executive Resources Ltd., Mid American Search

BEST BUSINESS CONSULTING FIRM

RSM McGladrey Inc.

Business consultants are willing to come to Des Moines from Chicago or other big cities for a major assignment, but not for jobs on a smaller scale. That leaves a lot of clients for RSM McGladrey Inc. to pursue. “We always have been focused on that middle market, those clients who cannot afford to have all the services in-house,” said Kevin Prust, partner in charge of RSM McGladrey’s local office. “We purposely structured our firm to provide those services.”

The strategy appears to be working. The nationwide company’s local office has increased the size of its staff by more than 10 percent during the past year, and Prust expects that growth to continue. “I would say our long-term needs are in that 10 percent range for the next few years,” he said.

Prust sees business succession planning as a key area for RSM McGladrey. “I think it’s one of the most important consulting services we provide,” he said.

Runners-up: Business Capital Corp.; Right Management Consultants.