Phillips Scientific is engaged in the research and development of expanded PTFE (ePTFE) products, production systems, and devices. For over twenty years, the Phillips team has focused their efforts on developing anything and everything ePTFE that has a chance of being sold at a profit.
Along the way, many ePTFE prototype products that started out as duds now turn a profit. The main research and production facilities are located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. There are two other facilities as well. One is located in Gastonia, North Carolina and may be used for possible future expansion. The other, promoted as its “classified research facility”, was recently set up in York County, South Carolina.
So, what is it like to work at Philips? The work atmosphere at Phillips is, to say the least, “laissez faire”. Everyone enjoys flexible make-your-own work hours, free all-you-can-eat lunch, and plenty of on-the-job training. One of the best features of working at Phillips is the fun you have while on the job–no one takes themselves too seriously. And quite frankly, we encourage each other to find ways to get out of doing work. Instead, we focus on improving the machinery, since machines make fewer mistakes, are more reliable, and when you are done paying for a machine it works for almost nothing.
The work atmosphere is so good, its the next best thing to being on unemployment. So, what’s the downside of working at Phillips? 1. The coffee machine makes great double-shot cups of coffee (known as “REV”) , but there is never any creamer; 2. It’s hard to get back to work after those all-you-can-eat lunches; 3. Those are the only two downsides to working at Phillips.
So, what is the business model?
1. Don’t lie, cheat, swear, or throw tools;
2. Do it right, do it big, give it class (or at least recognize when you can’t);
3. The customer is always first;
4. Focus on getting the legitimate orders shipped before going on to “experiments”;
5. Keep a positive bank balance;
6. Have fun at work, but try not to make it look like too much fun – it will ruin morale.
7. “The beatings will continue until morale improves” (printed on the sign near the front door).