In many instances, Gerdau's commitment to its employees directly contributes to its employees' ability to contribute to company objectives of customer service and product quality. All of Gerdau's employees, from the CEO to the maintenance crew, have business cards they can give to customers to promote interaction. Frontline employees are periodically sent on customer site visits to answer questions, observe the customer's manufacturing process, or simply see how Gerdau products perform. Every employee is salaried, and merit increases are tied to a variety of factors, including Individual performance, versatility of skills, and training credits earned through the company's continuing education program. All these practices serve the dual purpose of increasing quality while at the same time enriching the jobs of the employees. Through