A sense of community and a love for gardening that’s lasted decades at our U.S. headquarters

In the 1970s, shortly after our company was established in the United States, a woman named Lydia ‘Schatzi’ Thiede came to work with us. She managed the manor house on our Connecticut campus, which was used during business visits with colleagues and other stakeholders coming from out of town. Schatzi had a love for cooking and tending to the garden, usually making incredible dishes for house guests during their visit. She was even known for her knack of planting and cooking with chives.

Today, Schatzi’s love for gardening is one that’s shared among our colleagues. Before the manor house was due for demolition, an employee graciously collected the chives from Schatzi’s garden and shared the plants with others on site.
 

“One day at lunch, members of our research team were talking about how we all love to garden, and that’s when we learned about Schatzi,” said Jon Hill, a principal scientist based out of Ridgefield, CT. “My colleague told us Schatzi’s story and asked if anyone wanted the chives that she planted. I of course said yes, and to this day, Schatzi’s chives grow in my home garden and now back here on campus.” Jon provided the chives to our grounds crew who helped transport, replant, and ensure the chives thrive near our beehives and community garden.

Not only is Schatzi’s story a testament to our family-orientated culture, but it also speaks to our team’s commitment to sustainability. “At work we’re dedicated to finding solutions that help keep patients and animals healthy. With that comes a passion for being environmentally responsible to help ensure we do the best we can for communities today and in the future,” said Bill Galdenzi, director of our environment, health and safety team.

Chives make great ingredients for a meal. They also are good food and shelter for pollinators, helping us contribute to a healthy eco-system across our 300-acre campus. Another important benefit is that chives allow for food to be generated ‘close to the source,’ which helps reduce climate impact. We're also proud to honor Schatzi by naming our community garden after her and ensuring her memory continues to inspire our employees for years to come.

Are you interested in working with a close-knit company that has a rich history and prioritizes a sustainable culture? Explore a career with us!