Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/68118
shake up the insurance industry. Salzmann's desk is scary clean. "If someone gives me lbert Einstein may have famously asked, "If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then is an empty desk a sign" of? In Ben Salzmann's case, it's the sign of a creative, innovative man looking to something to look at, I get right through it and return it as quickly as possible, Sheboygan-based firm covering 20 states. But that doesn't mean Salzmann's office is empty – its 8.1 percent to $63 million in 2011 and its combined ratio – which is comprised of the claims ratio and the expense ratio — was 9.5 points more profitable than the industry. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to hire 50 new employees at its headquarters and throughout the 20 states where it does business. Those new employees will join what is recognized as one of the best places to work in the country. Acuity has won numerous national awards, including Entrepreneur's Great Place to Work 2011 Best Medium Workplace Award. "And that's against everyone … even some soſtware That drive is paying off. Acuity's sales premium increased " " says the president and CEO of Acuity, a shelves are filled with books, annual reports and other documents that he's able to quickly find. "Innovation and discipline are keys to our company's success and it drives us to continually get better. Industry leader Here's a look at how Acuity compares to insurance industry averages in several key areas: Combined ratio (below 100 is ideal) 2011 Acuity Industry Sales growth Acuity Industry Surplus growth Acuity Industry Long-term average 99.6% 95.8% 109.1% 103.8% 2011 8.1% 3.2% 2011 9.2% -1.4% Long-term average 10.6% 3.8% Long-term average 14.4% 5.4% Source: Conning Research companies where they have all of these different things going on, like riding a scooter through the office. That we're Making a mark In addition to being known for selling insurance, Acuity has also garnered attention for its annual reports. Forget your typical white paperbound book and instead think of storybooks, boxes of chocolates or a record album. "I like to keep it fresh," says President and CEO Ben Salzmann, who comes up with the different ideas himself (sometimes based on ideas from his wife) with DuFour Advertising of Sheboygan. The storybook annual report – which looks like a pop-up book – received a CLIO Awards 2011 Design Short List mention and is now a permanent part of the rare books section of the Cooper-Hewitt collection at the Smithsonian Library. DuFour even put together a website at http://makingofapopup.com showing how the unique report came together. Last year's annual report came with a box of chocolates celebrating "how sweet it is" to do business with Acuity. As to what the insurer has in store for this year's annual report? You'll have to just wait and see. 20 | INSIGHT • June 2012 "One main difference is that we educate our people. No other carrier in the country has provided more continuing education credits to its agents. " Wally Waldhart, vice president of sales and communication able to compete against that and come out ahead really says something, " says Wendy Schuler, vice president of finance. Setting and Raising the Bar ebster's dictionary defines the word acuity as "sharpness or keenness of thought, vision or hearing, Heritage Mutual Company in 2001. And it's something that's played out every day at the property and casualty insurer. "We drive innovation into everything we do, Salzmann says. " www. insightonbusiness.com looking for when they changed its name from " which is what company leaders were