An IT pro, engineer or scientist with a passion for golf might hit a hole-in-one with Acushnet Co.
“Acushnet offers an exciting career in the golf industry for techies,” says Jim McKenna, director of human resources. “Our objective is to develop goal-directed work teams in multiple disciplines to anticipate and respond to changing consumer and market conditions.
“If you enjoy the continuing challenge of improving products and developing new ones, Acushnet is the place for you.”
Acushnet, an operating division of the $8 billion Fortune Brands, designs and manufactures golf equipment. The company was founded in 1910 as a rubber processor, and picked the Acushnet Process Co as its name after its hometown of Acushnet, MA. Later the name was changed to simply the Acushnet Company and corporate HQ moved to Fairhaven, MA.
In 1930 the golf division was launched with the intent of making a better golf ball, which it did. In 1985 Acushnet acquired FootJoy, and in 1996 Cobra Golf was added.
Strategic design of golf balls and clubs requires a sophisticated lineup of techies, McKenna notes. The company’s products include balls, clubs, shoes, gloves and accessories, sold under brand names of Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra and Pinnacle.
“We have the number one market share in balls, shoes and gloves on each of the worldwide professional golf tours as well as in the golf shops,” says McKenna. “We are always looking for both fresh and seasoned professionals to help our team maintain its edge.”
Engineers, scientists and chemists are needed at the company’s Massachusetts and California facilities. New grad students are in greater demand for the product design areas, while experienced professionals are recruited to fill manufacturing niches.
The company’s current IT population is about a hundred, and initiatives are under way to bring in additional IT recruits.
Acushnet often partners with its parent company, Fortune Brands, in workplace diversity projects. “With our parent company,” says McKenna, “we frequently attend job fairs targeted to a diverse audience. We have a woman’s networking and mentoring program that reaches into each operating division and includes an annual conference attended by several Acushnet female leaders. Right now we’re actively planning a similar program for minorities.”
In its relatively small cities, the company also focuses on local outreach in diverse communities. It partners with rehabilitation organizations to help people with disabilities find jobs. And every year Acushnet attends the National PGA championship to support historically black colleges and universities and partners with the PGA Tour by particpating in its Diversity Internship program.
It’s obvious that the company’s connection with golf would be a strong one. “We participate in the PGA’s national job fair each year,” McKenna says.
Especially for engineering jobs in the product development group, it helps if the techies understand the game of golf, McKenna admits. Golf knowledge is not a requirement, but “It helps them design a better end product for the consumer.”
D/C
www.acushnetcompany.com
| Headquarters: |
Fairhaven, MA |
| Employees: |
5,000 worldwide,
3,500 in the U.S. |
| Revenues: |
$1.26 billion+ in 2005 |
| Business: |
Largest manufacturer of golf equipment in the world |
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