Oatey Co. Named Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio by NorthCoast 99 and Company of the Year by Engage! Cleveland

This recognition marks the 16th time Oatey has earned the NorthCoast 99 award, and the second year being named Company of the Year.

By Plumbing & Mechanical Editorial Staff

Images courtesy of Oatey, NorthCoast 99, and Engage! Cleveland.

Oatey Co. has been named a 2026 NorthCoast 99 award winner by the Employers Resource Council (ERC). This recognition marks the 16th time Oatey has earned the prestigious NorthCoast 99 award, which honors 99 Northeast Ohio workplaces with exceptional policies, practices and benefits for attracting and retaining top talent.

NorthCoast 99 defines top performers as employees who "drive results, create competitive advantages and help organizations innovate and grow." Oatey’s selection among the 99 organizations recognized in 2026 reflects its continued position as an employer of choice for top talent in Northeast Ohio.

“Earning this recognition for the 16th time is especially meaningful because it reflects the experience we work to create for our associates every day,” says Dalithia Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Oatey. “We’re committed to continually fostering a workplace where people feel supported, have opportunities to grow and can contribute to our shared success.”

Organizations considered for the NorthCoast 99 award are evaluated anonymously through a rigorous application process that assesses the strategies, programs and workplace practices used to attract and retain top performers. The evaluation also includes feedback from associates about their workplace experience.

According to the company, Oatey demonstrated strong performance across several areas evaluated as part of the 2026 NorthCoast 99 selection process, including:

Employee Engagement and Talent Development
Employee Well-Being
Organizational Strategy, Policies and Benefits
Talent Attraction, Acquisition and Onboarding
Total Rewards

“As Oatey continues to evolve, we will continue to be focused on our people and finding new ways to support their success,” Smith adds. “Our associates play an essential role in shaping our culture and strengthening our organization, and we’re proud of the workplace we’ve created together.”

Oatey Co. has also been named the 2026 Generation NEXT Company of the Year in the Large Company category by Engage! Cleveland.

The honor marks Oatey’s second Generation NEXT Company of the Year recognition after winning the Large Company category in 2023. Oatey’s Emerging Professionals Group was also previously recognized as a Generation NEXT Program of the Year.

Engage! Cleveland is a community-engagement organization for young professionals, business leaders, and community leaders who are passionate about making Cleveland a lasting home for the next generation. Now in its fifth year, the organization’s Generation NEXT Awards recognize individuals and companies advancing efforts to attract, engage and retain emerging talent in Greater Cleveland.

This year, 21 honorees were recognized across six award categories, including Company of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year, and Program of the Year. Generation NEXT Award winners are nominated by their peers and selected by a committee for their dedication to attracting and retaining talent in Greater Cleveland while building cultures of belonging, engagement, and personal fulfillment.