ceo letter in this sunland leads with safety!! issue · 04-12-2015 · one of the most dangerous...

As we’ve begun a new year, we emphasize the importance that SUNLAND LEADS WITH SAFETY!! This is not just an empty slogan. It is something we are committed to each and every day. Our biggest goal is for everyone to leave Sunland as healthy as when they walked in the door. With this focus, we’ve seen results. We have improved our IFR (safety rating) each year, over the last 4 years. One thing to understand with safety is that you never finish. It’s part of a daily process. That’s why you will hear safety

moments in every daily kickoff meeting, every monthly safety committee meeting and in our monthly corporate meeting. The bottom line here is everyone needs to be involved because it impacts us all. I commend our record for this past year and look forward to an increased focus and performance for 2014. Great Job!!

We are also committed to helping our associates develop and grow along with the company. We’ve completed our first two day session of SUNLAND UNIVERSITY, and it was awesome!! We are well on our way to developing our team on “The Sunland Way.” This includes instilling our values, safety management, how we run and man-age our facilities, how to meet and exceed customer expectations, and using quality and continuous improvement tools. We look forward to the next session and increasing our knowledge in order to fulfill our purpose…helping our customers do what they do, better. Sincerely,

Arch Thomason CEO, Sunland Logistics Solutions

IN THISISSUE

CEO LETTER

ICARE

SUNLAND U

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

QUALITY

SAFETY MOMENT

OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS

CELEBRATION

ISSUE 4 • SUNLAND LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS JANUARY – MARCH 2014

CEO LETTER

WELCOME TO SUNLAND

SUNLANDLOGISTICSSOLUTIONS.COM

NEW CUSTOMERS• Sulzer• Advanced Packaging• Pratt Industries• Bob Hild Textiles• ATP Elastomers• First Quality Tissue• The Tryline Group

NEW ASSOCIATESTrinity Facility:Christopher Vieno – Forklift OperatorRay Joines – Forklift OperatorReed Brogan – Material PlannerShannon Davis – Forklift OperatorMarshall Hall – Forklift OperatorRandolph Perry – Forklift OperatorMichael Crawford – Forklift OperatorDeborah Myers – Quality Auditor

Charleston Facility: Brenda Kinloch – CSRKevin Jones, Forklift Operator

Black Hawk Facility:Kenneth Holden – Forklift OperatorLarry Cooper – Forklift OperatorMisty Kimbrell – Quality Auditor



ICARE

Sunland believes that the quality of our processes and the strength of our company are dependent on our ability to develop the talent and leadership skills of our employee base and to provide all the members of our team with a positive work environment. Beginning in 2011, Sunland implemented the ICARE Program, an associate incentive based program rewarding performance excellence.

CONGRATULATIONS!MIKE CRIANZA

2013 ANNUAL ICARE WINNER

We are excited to announce Michael Crianza as the winner of the 2013 Annual ICARE Award. Mike received the monthly ICARE Award for March 2013 in recognition of his outstanding efforts at the Trinity facility. Mike’s dedication, loyalty, and work ethic has exceeded all expectations throughout his entire time with the company. In fact, it can be said that one of the main goals of launching the ICARE program was to encourage the type of behavior that he has been exhibiting for years.

The duties and responsibilities of Mike’s job require that he supervise hourly associ-ates and direct them in their activities; however when customer needs dictate, Mike does not hesitate to jump into the operation head fi rst. His “whatever-it-takes” attitude is instrumental in meeting the unpredictable requirements of a primary customer dur-ing what is described in their own words as a “violent” season each year. On the busi-est days Mike will balance his administrative duties while also completing these other physical tasks with high effi ciency and accuracy.

Mike has also performed facility upgrades at Black Hawk, countless beautifi cation projects at Trinity, ongoing projects at Anderson Road, and he was responsible for 90% of the construction and work performed for the Trinity-Staffi ng offi ce relocations.

Like many of our associates, Mike does his job very well. However, his ongoing willingness and eagernessto routinely exceed the requirements and expectations of his particular job are what makes him our annual ICARE winner.

Arch Thomason, CEO and Van Batson, Director of Operations, presented Mike with a $5,000 net check and the annual ICARE Award. Please join us in congratulating Mike!



PEOPLE


On January 31st we completed our fi rst two-day session of Sunland University. There were 18 management participants in our fi rst two student classes. Our student body ranges from lead positions, to supervisors to senior VP’s. So far we have had effective sessions covering a range of topics: strategy, SAFETY, change managment, warehouse layouts, productivity tracking and profi t analysis. We will have graduated our fi rst class at the end of March, and we look forward to the second class starting in May. Sunland is committed to providing life long learning experience for our associates.

Our program objectives for Sunland University are:• Serve as a partner so employees can achieve exceptional performance • Help ensure the organization meets its business goals• Achieve recognition as a leader in the industry• Offer valuable training to employees which helps retain and promote key employees.

What do you enjoy the most about working for Sunland? Time goes by fast; no two days are ever the same. I like variety in my workday. I am never bored.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and how do you overcome those challenges and still perform well? On the Chempak Account, we service Chempak (with an on-site manager and their employees) while providing full warehousing duties to Solvay, Chempak’s customer. I handle multiple responsibilities for all three companies (Sunland, Chempak and Solvay). I am a multi-tasker, and I simply prioritize to fi nish all my tasks.

What do you like to do during your time away from work, what are your hobbies? Spending time with family (most of all my girls) and friends, baking and riding the motorcycle with my husband.

What is something most people don’t know about you? I just adopted three children (all girls) at one time.

Sandy Yates, CSR – Black Hawk Facility

Employee SPOTLIGHT

KICKING OFF SUNLAND UNIVERSITY

CLASS IS NOW IN SESSION… On January 31st we completed our fi rst two-day session of

Sunland University. There were 18 management participants in our fi rst two student classes. Our student body ranges from lead positions, to supervisors to senior VP’s. So far we have had effective sessions covering a range of topics: strategy, SAFETY, change managment, warehouse layouts, productivity tracking and profi t analysis. We will have graduated our fi rst class at the end of March, and we look forward to the second

Our continuous improvement process follows these 6 basic, effective steps:



Sunland utilizes CIS, a continuous improvement software program, to maintain electronic storage and a ‘closed loop’ process for all internal and external corrective actions that are issued. This system provides 8-D formatted corrective action documentation to identify all root causes, escape points, containment methods, and preventive /corrective action measurements to ensure that the ‘lessons learned’ from any issue are identifi ed and applied. This software also maintains an archive fi le of all closed corrective actions for reference in the event of similar or repeat occurrences. This provides assurance that true cor-rective actions are being developed rather than repeating failed solu-tions to a recurring problem.

Forklifts—Loading & Unloading Trucks & TrailersOne of the most dangerous operations involving lift trucks is the loading or unloading of trucks, trailers, and railroad cars. The reason for the danger is the change of environment from the stable, concrete fl oor of a ware-house to the unstable realm of a truck or trailer. Not only may the vehicle being entered be unstable, but the means of going from the warehouse to the vehicle (by way of a dockplate) can also be hazardous.

Before unloading a truck or trailer:

1. Set the brakes / chock wheels 2. Secure the vehicle to the dock3. Install the dockboard or plate

4. Check the condition of the trailer fl oor5. Determine if semi-trailer is still attached6. Check the lighting

QUALITY

Highlight Improving ServiceThrough Corrective Actions




OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS ANDERSON ROAD FACILITY Sunland rolling forward The latest edition to Sunland Logistics fleet is this beautiful 2015 Freightliner. Currently being lettered and licensed before reporting to work. This tractor will soon service some our newer customers. Our Business Development Team is focused on increasing our transportation offerings. This along with new storage clients, shows the growth that we are facing. Our first transportation customer was onboarded in April 2012. Two years later, transportation is still showing evidence of growth. “This only happens with a great sales team and a quality service that rises above the rest and I’m proud to be a small part of that.,” says Donna Cepek, Anderson Road Facility Manager

BLACK HAWK FACILITY Welcoming growing business, fresh paint, and new faces We are enjoying growth from both our current customers as well as new business. One new automotive customer in particular has become our second largest client. This customer began as simply a storage customer but has grown to daily distribution and replenishment of both dunnage as well as finished goods. In an effort to increase our housekeeping awareness, many projects are underway to upgrade our facility. The results have been well received. It’s truly amazing what a difference a coat of paint can make. We have welcomed some new associates from Sunland Staffing. Recently arrived are Earle Greer, Billy Miller, and Chris Lanford. The staff has really come together to train these new associates and our new additions have done their part to absorb the information and adhere to all our policies and procedures. We are lucky to have them on our team.

NORTH CHARLESTON FACILITY Tackling Challenges as a Team Charleston facility continues to maintain high volume and a max capacity facility. The team has stepped up to the challenge and meeting the customer needs and schedules. We look forward to continued volume and also the acceptance of a few new accounts. We have added a few new associates to accommodate the increased volume and continue to cross train others in new roles to meet some new systems and operational changes. The Charleston facility feels confident that we are on the path of success and growth as we continue this year and years to come.

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NORTH CHARLESTON FACILITY

Tackling Challenges as a Team

Charleston facility continues to maintain high volume and a max capacity facility. The team has stepped up to the chal-lenge and meeting the cus-tomer needs and schedules. We look forward to continued volume and also the accep-tance of a few new accounts.

We have added a few new associates to accommodate the increased volume and continue to cross train others in new roles to meet some new systems and operational changes.

The Charleston facility feels confi dent that we are on the path of success and growth as we continue this year and years to come.


A special heartfelt thank you for all the hard work and dedication given to us by our employees celebrating their

anniversaries serving Sunland.

Sunland Employee Years / Service

Melissa A.Cartee 3Molly Stech 6Sandy Yates 13Elijah Ray 1Rob McElyea 15Leigh Craigo 2Robert Howe 3Rhonda Hipps 14Donna Cepek 15Deb Rossi 13Jesse Webb 7James Frazier 11Michael Bowers 5

CorporateRick Graham- January 27Janis McLees – February 6Mike Storrie - April 27

Sunstaffi ngGuissell Salas - April 20

Maintenance Kenneth White – December 8Rhett Clement - April 17

CharlestonShymaine Williams- January 6John Matlock - March 16

Black Hawk Kenneth White – December 8Sandy Yates- January 1Greg Coker- January 25Jesse Webb – February 25Melissa Cartee – February 15

TrinityTyrone Young- January 1Michael Bowers- January 26Roy Wootton – February 2Ashley Lowder – February 9Ronald Kerns – February 12William Hall- February 16 Fred Johnson – February 21Christopher Vieno- March 7 Willie Phelps – March 8Johnny Abercrombie – March 15

Anderson RoadDonna Cepek- January 19Nathaniel Blandin – February 3

BIRTHDAYS!

EMPLOYEEANNIVERSARIES


TrinityTrinity

SUNLAND EARNS

ScottsMiracle-Gro’s 2013 BUSINESS PARTNER

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Congratulations to our Scotts Account Operations Team for a job well done and earning

this award for the second year in a row!

ceo letter in this sunland leads with safety!! issue · 04-12-2015 · one of the most dangerous...

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