Profile Article
Corporate Report Wisconsin magazine, April 2005 issue, published by Trails Media Group
A+ Vision
By staying focused on its core strengths, Acuity has its sights set on even greater success
by Tim Solinger
Drive past the headquarters of Acuity Insurance on Interstate 43 near Sheboygan and you'll see a new, expansive corporate facility with well-maintained grounds and striking architectural features. What you'll not see, though—inside or out—is anything approaching ostentation or opulence.
This difference is best symbolized by "Petey," a small papier mache dog that stands in the company's galleria, in sharp contrast to the fine artwork around it. Petey's most notable feature is his raised back leg, which underscores the company's scrappy, grounded, "in your face" attitude.
A papier-mache creation of a dog relieving itself—standing in the building galleria? It's very much a part of the company's vision and values according to Ben Salzmann, president and CEO of Acuity.
Salzmann says he was looking for some art last year for the company's new facility when he spotted the papier mache dog at a small store. He promptly bought it and then plopped it down in the building’s galleria.
He wanted to make a point with his employees about how far they had come since the property and casual insurer’s dramatic transformation and growth from six years earlier, which includes receiving an upgrade to an A+ rating from A.M. Best in 2003.
A "junkyard dog" attitude
Salzmann says that when the employees got together for one of the company's "town hall meetings," he was asked about the dog.