Genentech has happy employees

By Matthew Bunk

VACAVILLE - Not only is Genentech Inc. revered in the biotech industry as a leading drug-maker, it's also brewed some affection among its employees.

Based in South San Francisco, Genentech earned the No. 4 spot on Fortune Magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2005.

It was the seventh consecutive year that Genentech made the list. This year it trailed only three companies - family owned Wegman's Food Markets; W.L. Gore, the maker of GORE-TEX; and Republic Bancorp, a Michigan-based holding company for Republic Bank.

Companies were judged on "policies and culture" and the opinions of the company's own employees. Employees were asked to rate attitudes toward management, camaraderie and job satisfaction.

Genentech's manufacturing plant in Vacaville employs more than 500 people and is expected to grow to become the largest biotech manufacturing facility in the world by 2009. The expanded facility will employ more than 1,100, according to the company.