By Georgene Brazer, Local Columnist.
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work Aristotle Yossi Binyamin, a true leader, is the site general manager for Caesarstone Technologies, USA, located in the Belfast Commerce Park in Richmond Hill.
Caesarstone invented and pioneered quartz countertops in Israel with two manufacturing locations there and one plant in Richmond Hill. Yossi believes in collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement to achieve excellence. This is a man who influences with his vision, generosity and honest, outgoing nature. This is a man who has made Richmond Hill home. Anna Chafin, CEO of the Development Authority of Bryan County took the time from her busy schedule to tell me about him.
“It’s been a pleasure working with Yossi. I respect his desire to integrate Caesarstone into the community. I’m thankful for the company’s continued investment in Richmond Hill/Bryan County.” Anna pointed out from donating products to Bryan County Schools to having his team members pick up trash for Earth Day, Caesarstone is an engaged member of our existing industry base. Anna said, “Yossi is a great partner and I sincerely appreciate his willingness to help us at the Development Authority attract other industries to the Belfast Commerce Park in Richmond Hill.”
Dr. Brooksher, superintendent of Bryan County Schools, spoke to me about the excellent and generous partnership with the schools that has been provided by the company under Yossi’s guidance and Yossi’s professionalism which stands out as both a volunteer and generous donor.
“Yossi and Caesarstone are, ‘above and beyond,’” Brooksher said, noting the company delivered quartz products, slabs, for countertops, as an amazing and generous gift to the new schools as well as product for renovation and updating of the old.
“They came to the table and stayed,” Brooksher added.
How fortunate we are to have been given all our countertops, product invented and pioneered by Caesarstone.
Caesarstone designs for people, puts people first, ‘sets their dream in stone.’ It became clear to me quite quickly in conversation with Yossi that the products and practices are people driven. The product is produced with the environment in mind, to participate in a thriving ecosystem and towards people, creating a better future for employees by principled leadership, opportunity for growth and by teaching organizational success on all levels.
Yossi has moved to Richmond Hill and participates personally in the city. Serving on the Board of the Chamber of Commerce is part of his commitment to the City.
Tommy Brewer started with Caesarstone as a team leader, became a shift manager, then a line manager and now a Department Manager. Opportunity came with growth after only 6 years. Talent recognized. Successful at work, successful in outreach to his community. Tommy is known to many in Richmond Hill for the wondrous Christmas light display he puts up at his Boyd Street home to please neighbors and visitors to Richmond Hill during the holidays. This is a man interested in people, community and civic activities. He loves working close to home in a field he knows well.
He is delighted with his role at Caesarstone and its philosophy “a culture for people, family, team.” “I have a wonderful job at a wonderful company company, and I’m living where I grew up. The company, the work environment, the people, perfect. Six years with the company, perfect.”
Daniel Benshitrit is the production manager. Yossi recognized his talent and brought him from Israel. Daniel learned English from music. He would download lyrics, listen, play and learn. His English is excellent and so is his playing the guitar and harmonica! He likes the states, likes it in Richmond Hill where he has a home. “It’s a different atmosphere, calmer here, different frequencies here and in Israel.” Daniel relocated from Israel in October of 2021.
As a leader, Yossi encourages strategic thinking, innovation and action.
Whenever we talk I’m very aware of his genuine interest in Caesarstone and the business it operates in.
Interviewing employees, “team” members, people working at the plant who come from all over the world such as Israel, India, Europe, the Ukraine, Azerbaijan, it’s clear they feed off his enthusiasm for what they do, for growth within the company and personally. His is a team recruited with diverse skills and backgrounds. His outlook is positive and translates into positivity within Caesarstone.
Thank you for the opportunities you create in business and for you, as well as the company, for becoming part of our community.
It’s clear that for you it’s never about the role but about the goal. As a leader, you’ve learned to share success and pass along skills.
Thank you for allowing me to show our readers, our neighbors, how you have set out to make a difference.
Georgene Brazer is chairman of the Richmond Hill Downtown Development Authority. She writes regularly about local people who make her city better. You can reach her at georgenebrazer@gmail.com.
