May
2015
FENNER
DUNLOP
AMERICAS
NEWSLETTER
One TEAM
This Issue
Fenner Group
Update
President’s Corner P.1
On the Rise P.2
Spotlight on Success P.3
Fenner CEO Nick Hobson
launched
the
Experience of a LifetimeP.4
inaugural
Development
ACE Sales Training P.5
Program which is designed
Employee News P.6-7
Gateway
to provide a mixture of
leadership training, personal development and business skills for some of the
Company’s aspiring leaders.
The core of the Gateway
program is the completion
of three business projects
that have been designed
and sponsored by divisional managing directors. The
program includes:
1. Two week long residential courses run at Ashridge
Business School in London
2. Business-related projects
sponsored by members of
the Fenner Executive Board
3. Charity project based in
India.
Zak Lowery - Life Cycle
Applications Engineer, was
one of 16 individuals from
across all Fenner divisions who participated in
President’s Corner
Spring is in the air. Things
are starting to look and feel
a little warmer and brighter. I am glad that the Polar
Vortex freeze is behind us
as we start to pull through
the bad weather conditions
that caused a minor vehicle accident here and there
and a loss in capacity at our
plants. I am proud to say
that our TEAM has taken
the proper precautions to
assure safe conditions and
behavior through this rough
winter. Kudos to everyone
for making safety a priority.
We are honored to announce that our Bracebridge
plant has won the Fenner
Group Most Improved Safety Award. Fenner CEO Nick
Hobson and I traveled to
Bracebridge to attend the
award ceremony in January. Our focus on safety
is strengthening with over
90% participation in our
safety incentive program at
a few of the operations.
We’re out of the cold but we
still have a few hills to climb.
Commodity market challenges continue as all mining customers struggle with
low market prices in coal,
iron ore and copper. There
is, however, a little momentum for us to get up the hill.
The Coal Industry is consolidating and some of our
key customers are gaining strength, like the Cline
Group, which has acquired
two Canadian coal mines.
We are excited about expanding our products and
services to reach and support their growth. In addition, our Industrial positions
are strengthening. Aggregates are up due to highway
construction and we are
aggressively pursuing and
achieving growth in close
partnership with our distributors
in oil prices since last year.
While this savings benefits
us all in our daily commute,
it also impacts the non
ECS side of Fenner’s business. As a precautionary
step, Fenner implemented
a worldwide cost reduction
program effective January
2015, and ECS Americas
had a reduction in force.
Tight spending control is
required until our financial
performance improves.
I would like to thank everyone for their strong efforts
as we navigate against
tough headwinds. If we continue to push hard, we will
reach our growth initiatives
and will come out of this
much stronger as a TEAM.
As I’m sure you have all noticed at the gas pump, we
have seen a dramatic drop
the inaugural program. For
more on the program and
Zak’s experiences, please
see page 4.
1
Personal
Development
“You must expect
great things of yourself before you can
do them.” —Michael
Jordan
On the Rise
At Fenner Dunlop,
we believe that making investments in our
employee’s development is critical. We hope
you are all doing things
every day to be better in
your personal and professional lives.
Forest Products Industry
When asked about his
own personal development tactics, Product
Engineer Steve Joseph,
Port Clinton answered:
“The keys to my personal and professional development
can be summed up
in three steps. For
me it’s about setting short & long
term goals, staying
organized and being
patient as I work
through the process.
While I don’t always
follow the steps I
have in place, my
development both
personally and professionally hinges
on the three.”
The trees are not the
only thing growing in the
One of our expanding markets
up. Many of our Northwest and
cement-heavy
is the forest products indus-
Southern United States lum-
projects, natural demand for
try. The forest products sector
ber yard, paper-mill and saw-
housing has increased as peo-
includes companies engaged
mill customers have begun to
ple are moving to urban areas
in growing, harvesting, and pro-
see an increase in customer
in search of jobs.
cessing wood, manufacturing
demand. This can be attributed
pulp and paper, and produc-
to three factors: 1) increased
Meanwhile, on the supply side
ing engineered wood products.
housing
construction
of the market, Canadian timber
The forest products industry
demands, 2) increased exports
production has slackened off
accounts for more than 5% of
to China, and 3) shrinking
from 39 bbf (billion board feet)
total U.S. manufacturing output
Canadian lumber supplies.
to 31 bbf. This can be attribut-
and
and employs nearly one mil-
construction
ed to a little bug, the pine bee-
lion people. Annual shipments
Construction
and
housing
tle, which has destroyed mil-
exceed $250 billion and annual
demand in the U.S. has main-
lions of forest acres in British
revenue growth surpasses 8%.
tained a healthy and sustain-
Columbia. This has left a gap
able level of growth since the
in supply that U.S. manufactur-
Wood and paper products can
economic downturn of 2008.
ers are rushing to fill.
be found all around you. Many
Privately-owned housing units
of the essential components
authorized by building per-
For us, this means that the
of modern life come from the
mits in January 2015 were at
forest products industry is ripe
forest products industry. From
an annual rate of 1,053,000.
with sales opportunities in the
tissue paper and newspaper,
This reflects a growth of 8.1%
Pacific Northwest and South
to milk cartons and cardboard
above the January 2014 esti-
region. With proper coordina-
boxes, to the structures of your
mate of 974,000.
tion from our TCSD network,
desk and the basic structures
there is no limit to how much
of your home, the everyday
Another
area
of
demand
uses of wood products are lim-
growth has been the consistent
itless.
rise of lumber exports going
we can accomplish in this rising market!
to China. Although China is
Most importantly, the forest
no longer creating double digit
products industry is trending
GDP growth with massive
2
CORPORATE NEWS
Benefits Buzz
As an employee covered under
your employer’s Group Long
Term Disability and Group
Life Insurance Policies issued
by Liberty Life Assurance
Company of Boston, you are
eligible for MyLibertyAssist®
assistance services provid-
SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS
Our Safety Story
ed by Bensinger, DuPont &
Associates.
MyLibertyAssist®:
Employee
Bracebridge Most Improved
Program (EAP)
Safety Site Award
MyLibertyAssist® EAP services are available to you and
In December, Nick Hobson and Cassandra
your immediate family mem-
Pan traveled to Bracebridge to celebrate an
bers.
event worthy of recognition. A big congratula-
Counseling
tions to the Bracebridge plant which was the
- Up to five face to face ses-
recipient of the “Most Improved Safety Site”
sions
Award and was selected out of all our plants
worldwide as the honorary recipient.
Officer; Rich Toeppe, Vice President Belting
Manufacturing,
and
Maureen
Sullivan,
The Bracebridge facility surpassed 1,000
Director HSE. Nick Hobson gave praises and
days without any Lost Time Incidents (LTI’s).
encouraging remarks to the team.
To reach this milestone, the team focused
hard on working tasks and developed detailed
“From all of us in Bracebridge, we send our
Task Safety Analysis protocols (TSA’s) for
very best wishes to you for a joyful, healthy
various tasks at hand. A few of Bracebridge’s
2015!! We so appreciate you making arrange-
most notable safety-related achievements
ments to share our ‘moment in the sun’ with
were: 5S implementation, increased employ-
us. It will be remembered for a long time!” -
ee health and safety ownership, a dramatic
Kathleen Smith
reduction in Recordable Incidents and LTI’s,
and improved participation through training
and involvement in safety initiatives.
To celebrate, the staff enjoyed a dinner joined
by Nick Hobson, Fenner CEO; Cassandra
Pan, President of Fenner Dunlop Americas;
Bill Mooney, Chief Commercial and Financial
Assistance
- Telephone Assistance 24/7
Financial
- Toll free information line on
issues such as credit, debt, or
housing
- Scheduled phone counseling
sessions and financial worksheet review
Legal
- 30 minute telephonic or face
to face consultation with an
attorney
- 25% discount on additional
services
Caregiving
- Access to information on
child care, eldercare, adoption
& education
To access
MyLibertyAssist® EAP
call 1-877-695-2789
(1-877-MYLBRTY)
3
The Experience of a Lifetime!
The Fenner Gateway Development Program
As part of the Gateway Development Program, the group went on
Zak commented on his positive experience in the Gateway Program:
a ten-day charity project in India. The project took place in early
“My experience in the Gateway program was great. I found it a very
February 2015. The purpose of the project was to bring a reliable
helpful tool to develop myself in regards to leadership and business
source of water to the JRS Tribal Village within Germalam, located on
skills. Fenner PLC has a very diverse portfolio involved in different
the side of the Western Ghats, a rural area with a number of villages
businesses.”
and a Tiger reserve. The village faces a water shortage during the
summer months from March onwards, as rainfall in the region occurs
He went on to say, “While the businesses are different, they are
mostly in November and December.
essentially run the same way with similar goals.
The Gateway
program gave incredible insight to Fenner’s strategies and gave
The Gateway participants saw their diligence and hard work come to
us an opportunity to interact with those who are leading Fenner in
fruition, on the last day, water flowed through the control room down
hopes that we could grow into a similar role. During the class time
to the cattle trough and into the holding tank. The handover ceremony
at Ashridge University, we learned about some principles that were
was described as quite emotional, with many of the villagers thanking
about to be put to use and presented to Fenner in the form of a busi-
the team personally for their efforts. As an added bonus, members of
ness project.”
the Fenner India team from Madurai were able to join them for the
celebrations.
“Understanding Fenner’s efforts to become a world leader in reinforced polymer technologies has made me further believe in the
ultimate goal of ECS being a one stop shop for all conveying needs.
I appreciate the steps that Fenner has taken to complete the ECS
model. I try to work more every day to collaborate and help different
divisions of ECS.”
The project was not only an opportunity for participants to learn about
themselves and their leadership styles, but also an opportunity to
learn more about the culture of India, a growing market for Fenner.
Zak Lowery, a program participant, is a Life Cycle Applications
Engineer, currently supporting Allison Conveyor Engineering (ACE)
products. He is involved in engineering, quoting, and project manage-
Photos: Zak Lowery - Life Cycle Applications Engineer.
ment of belt drive for large underground longwall mines.
4
CORPORATE NEWS
ACE - Professional Sales Training
Our ECS Executive Leadership rec-
Through this program, we are providing
“We must keep the
ognizes that success in the future is
the tools to help their sales organization
momentum going!”
dependent on our ability to constantly
be more successful in their day-to-day
move forward with innovative solutions
sales efforts, while helping individuals
- Jim Burnett,
to meet customers’ needs.
Meeting
achieve their career goals. The pro-
the changing needs of the customer
gram is designed to provide a common
individuals who participated in the
depends on you, the employees, and
framework and language for our sales
session. He had a positive experience
your ability to adapt to changing market
process and develop and hone selling
as well:
conditions.
skills among the sales teams organiza-
have always followed a path that best
tion-wide.
fits our strengths to produce successful
With this in mind, we have decided to
Director of Sales
“As sales professionals, we
results. The trainer challenged us all to
make an investment in the professional
The program is designed around build-
step outside of our comfort zones and
development of the sales organiza-
ing a sales platform, learning how to pri-
take a fresh approach to sales. The
tion company wide.
In December,
oritize and where to spend selling time
tools given in this first segment should
the new ACE (Academy for Conveying
most effectively. Jim Burnett comments
have an immediate impact on how
Excellence)
Sales
on the approach: “This is the best sales
we focus our time to achieve specific
Development Program was launched.
training I have received since joining
results. In summary, I was extremely
Our leadership team expects this invest-
the sales team over fifteen years ago.
impressed with all aspects of this train-
ment to drive positive business results.
To actually understand the different
ing module.”
Professional
areas of the sales platform and where
Through a mixture of online learning,
we spend our time has been a real eye
classroom sessions, and field applica-
opener.”
tion of concepts, we are finding ways
to equip the sales organization to better
The first session was conducted in
fulfill the vision represented by the ECS
Pittsburgh during the week of February
Strategy.
2nd. Buddy Wilson, Regional Director
of Southern Appalachia, was one of 16
5
Milestones
Name
Congratulations!
Darius Byars
25 years!
Years
James Benadom
Charles Dupont
Randy Buller
Darius Byars
Rick Downes
Guy Wilcox
Karen Moffett
Todd Moore
Brian K Whalen
Kebebush E Kassa
45
30
30
25
25
20
20
20
20
15
NOVEMBER - APRIL
Location
Name
Port Clinton
Allison
Bracebridge
Toledo
Bracebridge
Toledo
Port Clinton
Port Clinton
Toledo
Lavonia
Leslie A Bowyer
Patricia L Rutherford
Amy S Falise
Jeffery C Howell
James E Townsend
Matthew A Short
Aaron J Stiffey
Suzanne Shaw
Terry L Gabeletto
David J Scott
Michael Ferrari
Cameron Henderson
Steven Olive
Thomas Rankin
Roger Mooney
Frank Ranzenberger
Thank you and
Congratulations!
Years
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Location
Port Clinton
Port Clinton
Port Clinton
Port Clinton
Blairsville
Blairsville
Blairsville
Corproate
Allison
Farmington
Bracebridge
Bracebridge
Bracebridge
Allison
Port Clinton
Port Clinton
Congratulations to the NIBA Scholarship Recipients
NIBA – The Belting Association
ed workshops for younger stu-
Katelyn is a senior at Brownsville
honors the memory of past offi-
dents. He is a five year member of
Area High School. Brownsville
cers, directors, and committee
the marching band and the leader
Rotary
members for their strong dedi-
of the saxaphone section. Other
ed her as the Student of the
cation to the NIBA organization,
honors
Commended
Month. Katelyn’s school activities
with twelve $2,000 scholarships
National Merit Scholar, National
include Senior Cabinet, Art Club
for employees and children of
Academy of Future Physicians
Secretary, Interact Club Board of
employees of NIBA member com-
Award of Excellence, and
PA
Directors, National Honor Society,
Technical
Cross Country and Track & Field.
Society Regional Competition
In her community, she is a member
Winner. Wade is also a mem-
of the Youth Group and a Vacation
ber of the High School Jazz
Bible School Volunteer for her
Band and an active Boy Scout.
church. She has been involved
panies who make a difference in
their communities, their churches,
and their schools, through service.
We
are
a
President’s
Club
Joseph Wade Ogburnson of Patrick Ogburn,
Director of Resource
Development
Contributor to this Scholarship
Engineering
recently
select-
is a senior at Peters
with Girl Scouts of America for
Township High School and has
10 years and is currently a Girl
This year, the children of two
plans to study engineering. He is
Scout Ambassador. Other hon-
of our Employees are NIBA
considering Purdue, Virginia Tech,
ors include: twice recipient of
Scholarship winners.
and the University of Alabama.
the Falcon of the Month Award,
Wade has carried a course load
2013 PFEW Scholarship, Fayette
fund.
Wade
Junior
include:
Club
weighted heavily towards honors
and Advance Placement courses while remaining active in the
community. He is a leader and
Katelyn Victordaughter of Ed Victor,
Project Coordinator
Chamber of Commerce Student
of the Month, and a three year
member of the Penn State 4.0
Club. Katelyn has been accepted
founding member of a competitive
into several universities and plans
robotics team, which has conduct-
to major in communications.
6
New Talents
November - March
Sergio Bitti
Sales (West)
Todd Reddick
Marion
Dennis Rhyner Port Clinton
Allen Gregory
Lavonia
Andy Greenwood Farmington
Glenn Ables
Chapmanville
Darrell Boggs Jr. Marion
EMPLOYEE NEWS
Bob Buckner II Chapmanville
Robert Whalen - ACE Detailer
in the news...
Leslie Cheek
Lavonia
Eric Gibson
Gillette
Gabriel GonzalezDenver
Pictured in the Tribune Review article (Left) is
Trevor Gunter
Marion
Robert Whalen, Allison Conveyor Engineering
Luis Herrera Morales Gillette
Detailer and past Field Control Officer of
Daniel Hock
the Laurel Highlands Model Airplane Club.
Ryan Hotchkiss Gillette
Rob, a model airplane instructor is assisting
Robert Huerena Denver
Annabell Aquino of Harrison City to try her
Thomas Kett
hand at flying a model plane during flight
Corey Lambert Gillette
demonstrations at Mammouth Park in Mt.
James Landis
Pleasant. The event was part of the LHMAC
Aaron Leininger Farmington
50th Anniversary!
Erin Martin
Marion
Blairsville
Marion
Gillette
Matthew Messinger Denver
Recipes
Derek Moore
Farmington
James Moore
Marion
Burrito Casserole (Cathy Hoferka’s go to weeknight dinner)
Jeffrey SchnedlerDenver
This casserole takes about 15 min. to put together and 30 min. to bake. It’s a quick weekday dinner and is great as leftovers
Nathan Strunk
reheated for lunch. You will need:
Jeremiah Swims Chapmanville
1 package of 8 or 12 flour tortillas. (I use the smaller size tortilla)
Preston Wilson Price
2 bags of finely shredded cheddar jack cheese
Jacy Yanowsky Blairsville
2 cups of shredded chicken (I shred a roasted chicken from the grocery store)
Jefferson Zarella Blairsville
1 8 oz Jar of salsa (I used Chi Chi’s mild salsa)
Michael Rosinski
1/2 can of black olives sliced in half
Ryan Hauser
1 large tomato diced
Kanisha Rucker Lavonia
6 green onions chopped finely
David Terrell
Lavonia
Avocado or guacamole if desired.
Kathy Wilson
Lavonia
Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Warm the tortillas slightly in the microwave so they are pliable. Lay the tortilla
Christopher Maurey Blairsville
Marion
Allison
Toledo
on a flat surface. Place shredded chicken in the center of the tortilla. Place as much cheese as desired...Don’t fill. Fold in
two sides of the tortilla and then roll the tortilla like a jelly roll. Place seam side down in baking dish. Spoon salsa over the
rolled tortillas. (as much as desired) Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top of the tortillas. Distribute the olives, tomato
and green onions over the top of the cheese. At this point you can bake this or cover with foil and keep up to one day. Bake
at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with guacamole or avocado. Enjoy!
775