There are some very important awareness events in July, having to do with the oceans and our natural environment. The AMS Green Team would like to inform readers about ‘Plastics Free July’. We have all seen and grieved at the sight of wildlife, and especially ocean life, being harmed and destroyed by plastics that have been discarded – not recycled, or not reused or properly disposed of.
From the website Plastic Free, we read the following: “Humans have been harming the ocean’s ecosystem for hundreds of years with plastics, toxic waste, oil spills, and much more. Land-based waste products end up in seas, oceans, and beaches. Ocean trash affects the health of wildlife, people, and local economies. The trash in the water and on the shore can be ingested by wildlife, or entangle animals with lethal consequences. Plastic also attracts and concentrates other pollutants from surrounding seawater, posing a contamination risk to those species that then eat it. Scientists are studying the impacts of that contamination on fish and shellfish as well as the possible impact it may have on human health.”
And here is the truth that really calls us to action: “Plastic has been found in 59% of seabirds such as albatross and pelicans, in 100% of sea turtle species, and more than 25% of fish sampled from seafood markets around the world.”
The website is doing an Ecochallenge for people to take in their own homes, with regard to their personal use of plastic. The challenge offers ways to refuse plastic and reduce single-use plastic for one month. We encourage readers to take the challenge at this link: HERE
AMS and Plastic Reuse and Recycling
The majority of the waste in a fulfillment services company will be corrugate and plastic stretch film (used for packing, wrapping, and shipping of many types of items). Corrugate is recyclable, and AMS recycles it. But plastic stretch film is not accepted in the majority of recycling centers unless it is bailed and in very large amounts. Stretch film is generally made with linear low-density polyethylene, which is denoted as category four in recycling programs.
The AMS Green Team felt they had to come up with a solution, as the stretch film was rejected for recycling and therefore it was ending up in a landfill, and it was quite a lot. Each of the AMS’ five facilities receive 60-80 stretch wrapped pallets a day. After some searching, the Team located a company that will pick up and recycle bailed plastic stretch film once it reaches 10K lbs. To solve this, AMS purchased 92 waste bins enabling the team to properly dispose of this waste so it could be bailed, weighed, and stored until the facility has 10K pounds, at which time it is recycled.
What’s really good about this plastic recycle option is that it qualifies for re-use as composite lumber. It can also be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and pipe. That is the point of it all.
This is Plastics Free July, and the goal of being plastics FREE is a wonderful one. We know there are ongoing efforts to develop alternatives to plastic that will be bio-degradable. We’re keeping our eyes on alternatives to plastic as that is our goal as well. AMS is a Certified B Corporation, and the environment is a stakeholder in our decisions.
When should the supply chain begin preparing for peak season? When should fulfillment companies as well as manufacturers and eCommerce sellers, logistics providers, ocean transport, and carriers begin? We will attempt to put forth best practices, but first, we’ll need to answer the question, “What is considered peak season?”
When should the supply chain begin preparing for peak season? When should fulfillment companies as well as manufacturers and eCommerce sellers, logistics providers, ocean transport, and carriers begin? We will attempt to put forth best practices, but first, we’ll need to answer the question, “What is considered peak season?”
When we ask Google, the answer is: “When is Retail Peak Season? Retail peak season doesn’t have strictly defined dates — every supply chain is different. That said, typically the initial retail peak season surge occurs begins in October. Retail peak season ends roughly three months later at the end of December.”
That’s the beginning of an answer. Another question could be, when do we see the most shopping and buying? In the US several times come immediately to mind: Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas. We also should include Valentine’s Day and Amazon Prime Day, and possibly Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Halloween. Some businesses may sell Valentine’s or Halloween products so their holiday season will differ from others.
What does the peak season focus on? The answer to this question depends upon where in the supply chain the business operates. In this writing, we’ll cover what the eCommerce retailer would focus on, and how the fulfillment company does peak season planning.
Retailers & Peak Season
According to Kardinal.ai, some online retailers generate 50% of their sales during a peak season. Of course, with this eCommerce company, there has to be preparation for this peak, which could be related to a holiday or an organized promotion.
The online retailer will use past experience or previous peak seasons to predict the start and end of the season. If the peak begins with Thanksgiving, the retailer will begin offering deals and promotions before Black Friday, Super Saturday, and the Cyber Monday online shopping event. The business will need to plan for the beginning and the end of the season, with a focus on getting the deliveries to the customer on time. The company may have to hire temporary labor or purchase or expand equipment. Predicting and timing these things wrong can be costly, so the first thing the eCommerce business must do is forecast this year’s peak season and get the timing right.
More forecasting must be done concerning volumes. There may be an influx of orders across all channels, or spikes of orders, or there may be an extended unusually heavy volume making peak prediction accuracy vital. Is there adequate product supply – not too much, not too little. Will there be an adequate labor supply? Labor supply changes from year to year so the company must factor in the current circumstances. The shipping and carrier situation can change too, so the business not only prepares itself, it must analyze other factors it cannot control but must adapt to.
Previous Peak Seasons
The online seller may not manufacture the products it sells and therefore it will need to purchase from the manufacturer enough of the right products, hire enough staff to fulfill the orders, do its marketing and promotion on time, and get the timing right takes some predictive skills.
Nowadays the companies doing the most accurate forecasting are using technology to look at past experiences and previous peak seasons and depend upon machine learning to advise them: advanced algorithms will be used to look at trends in the data. The company will use this information to make decisions on timing, inventory, and labor.
Some training of new and/or temporary labor has become easier and quicker due to robotics, thus reducing the cost of hiring and spending several weeks of training. Accurate forecasting concerning labor does depend on the amount of automation. Some demand patterns remain consistent over the years and some will change due to advancements that have been made in automation.
Peak Season Planning
Online sellers who outsource fulfillment to a fulfillment company will also need to forecast. What will the peak season require of them? They will need to get the right amount of products into the inventory at the fulfillment company, they will need to anticipate and choose the products that buyers are going to want, and they may need to add to their customer service team.
All online sellers will want to optimize their website’s checkout, promote and market their products and time their marketing appropriately, choose the right fulfillment partner, and get their inventory and technology in place. They will also need to monitor the fulfillment, shipping, and delivery while peak season is in process, so this means the technology the eCommerce seller has integrated with the fulfillment company needs to be top-notch before peak season begins.
Reviewing what businesses should do first and determining what is most important, they will look at the historical data. When do the high-volume sales begin and when do they end? Peak seasons begin and end differently depending on the products being sold but every company will have experience and data regarding their peak orders. If there is a new product in the company’s line that they’ve been marketing for the first time in the season, predicting peak sales will be more challenging.
Peak Season Hits
The business needs to identify which products will be in high demand. What are the trends, what are people marketing, what is the company marketing, and what is predicted to sell. The business will stock up on products that are in high demand or predicted to be in high demand. Having adequate stock in the warehouse, or at the fulfillment provider’s warehouse is essential.
Of course, the business needs to prepare the employees for peak season and add temporary staff to handle the increased workload. If the business operates its own warehouse, this would include the warehouse staff. If the company outsources its warehousing and fulfillment, it will be customer service staffing and other positions within the business where an increase in staff may be needed. Customer service is vital during peak season as satisfying the customer is always the goal.
Peak season offers the opportunity to attract new customers that will remain customers beyond the peak season. With peak season comes the opportunity to increase sales, gain new customers and increase revenue, so in the upcoming holiday season, satisfied customers are a must.
Successful Peak Season
An article at Alibaba.com offers tips for peak season for businesses. Number one is to plan ahead, primarily reviewing what to expect based on past experience. Next, we will develop a marketing campaign strategy.
The advice is to look at which products might trend in the current season and develop a marketing strategy for those products, identify the target audience, and decide where to invest the marketing capital, i.e. in videos, website upgrades, on social media, paid ads, develop a referral system or other strategies that work as a method to make contact with customers.
Before peak season a company’s website should be at peak performance concerning the load time, the payment systems, and so forth. Prepare the website for increased traffic. The fourth recommendation goes back to marketing and giving attention to the best-performing channels. If emailing contacts has worked well in the past, they will use it before peak season letting customers know what discounts and specials are being offered.
Whether the business has their own warehouse and fulfillment process or it outsources to a fulfillment company, they need its inventory in place before the beginning of the peak holiday season. How much and what inventory is the question. That brings us back to forecasting and predicting.
Predicting & Maintaining
If an online business partners with a fulfillment company the partnership and working relationship must be in place and functioning well before peak season. The holiday season is not the time to onboard and start working with a fulfillment company, and businesses do recognize this. Fulfillment partnerships are established before peak season, and onboarding will include preparing for peak season.
We have pointed toward hiring staff, which is the next on the list. No matter the business, whether a big box retailer or a boutique, or an eCommerce-only business, staff will be needed, and previous peak seasons will be the best predictor of who is needed, where they will be needed, and how much training time is involved. Whether it is the customer service team or the warehouse personnel or both, there must be time to train, and this would include safety training for warehouse personnel.
Putting the customers first comes next, with encouragement to prepare the customer service team, and determine what perks should be offered to past customers. Customer service is vital when it comes to returns as well, so hiring the team and training the team is required preparation. There will be returns, and it’s vital to make it a smooth process, so the business should review its return policy before peak season comes. Of course, all employees should be aware of the gear-up to peak season and how the business is preparing for it. Informing and preparing all employees and reviewing policies is vital in putting the customers first.
The next recommendation has to do with servicing and repairing equipment. Some eCommerce businesses will not have to worry about maintaining warehousing equipment. If they outsource fulfillment there will be little equipment to maintain other than technological, which they definitely need to review and maintain before peak season.
Early in this writing, we talked about automation, and how that can make staffing less of an expenditure. Automation would be in place and in use well before peak season, so the impact would be less hiring and less training. The final recommendation has to do with the budget. The business is encouraged to get the estimated costs in place well before peak season so there is no sudden overspending. This would include marketing, inventory, and labor.
How Does the Fulfillment Company Prepare?
Now that we have covered how a business engaged in eCommerce should prepare for peak season, it’s time to look at a fulfillment company and see what a business that is heavily impacted by all peak seasons will do to prepare. Preparing fulfillment operations involves hiring and training staff, streamlining operations, doing detailed stock counts, maintaining equipment, forecasting, examining data, communicating, and much more.
When peak fulfillment season begins, there will not be time to do equipment repairs or machinery maintenance. This must be done well before the beginning of peak. A fulfillment company in the business for several years will have a historical record of peaks to look at to determine when this should be done. Equipment maintenance and building maintenance will be high on the list of preparations for the peak holiday season.
We spoke about automation concerning businesses preparing for peak and fulfillment companies are well aware of the savings that can be made with automation. The automation of certain tasks will be in place, in use, and maintained before peak season. The fulfillment company will schedule and complete maintenance on all moving systems – sorters, conveyors, labeling systems, and so forth. Spare parts will be stocked up as the equipment will be heavily used and if repairs are needed during peak, the company must be ready.
Technology, Slotting, & Shipping
Fulfillment companies depend very heavily on technology, with the warehouse management system, inventory management system, integrations with clients, electronic data interchange, and more. Fulfillment companies are very reliant on their technology team. Any upgrades and all maintenance of these systems must be done before peak shipping season. And we should mention, the best fulfillment companies will have their in-house technology team.
Another area that is important to look at before peak season is the location of inventory in the warehouse. Slotting is the process of the warehouse management system organizing inventory, and in a fulfillment company, this is an immense task. Past data on peak seasons will inform the present task, but clients may have changed, or client needs may have changed so preparation for slotting must take place before peak season. The experience of the fulfillment professionals is very helpful in making these decisions along with the data.
What does peak season mean in shipping? Shipping is another area where pre-planning must be done. What does the supply chain look like? Where are the shortages? Are there any port problems, any carrier problems? The shipping department can prepare only so much, as there are circumstances outside of the fulfillment company’s control. Peak season is peak shipping season and a great deal of customer satisfaction, and client satisfaction will depend upon shipping. The fulfillment company must be well informed about supply chain issues and base their preparation and decisions upon their research and relationships with the carriers.
Labor & the Long Term
Fulfillment companies do hire temporary labor and they have past data to help them know how much and when. This is another area where circumstances might dictate the ease or difficulty of the process. Is there a labor shortage or will temporary labor be available? While there are some jobs handled by technology and other jobs easier to train for because of technology, labor is still one of the major peak season concerns, and job training and safety training is an absolute necessity. The staffing must be at its best to handle peak volume.
In addition to the preparations mentioned, if there are any changes taking place, the fulfillment company will get the changes in place and settled before peak season. And finally, the fulfillment company should set up processes to collect the data to help in future planning. Keeping data that answers the question… what are your throughputs; what and how much material or how many items have passed through your system, and how is your operation performing according to key metrics during the holiday peak season. Fulfillment companies do collect and analyze data from year to year and they use this data to aid in forecasting.
AMS Fulfillment
AMS Fulfillment has more than 20 years of experience in handling peak seasons under all kinds of conditions. Planning for peak season at AMS, a company with years of experience, includes all that we have mentioned…
Reliance on past data from previous peak seasons.
Examination of that data based on current conditions.
Thorough maintenance of all equipment.
All automated systems in place and in use.
Extensive communication with clients as to their predictions.
Timing for hiring temporary labor and training of that labor.
Analysis of supply chain issues regarding shipping and shipping carriers.
Communication with employees
At AMS, peak seasons in the past few years have been greatly affected by the pandemic. Preparing for peak season has been exceptionally challenging for AMS and its clients. We did make it through these challenges and performed exceptionally well for its clients, many of whom enjoyed a successful peak season. Online orders increased, clients went through changes, and the company was very much put to the test. Fortunately, we came through the test stronger, better, and smarter. Today commerce in general has changed and new footing has been gained upon which to analyze and plan.
Most likely, this year’s peak season will begin in October and it will last until January. Since the pandemic occurred, this season begins a bit earlier and lasts a bit longer. Sales continue to rise but the supply chain has also become more complex. A list of general recommendations includes:
Forecast the demand
Get the inventory levels prepared.
Slot the inventory in the best warehouse location for speed and efficiency.
Communicate with carriers, know the delivery deadlines, and have order tracking up to speed.
A B Corporation fulfillment company is a rarity. AMS Fulfillment has been a certified B Corporation since 2017, committed to our five stakeholders: our employees, the communities in which we exist, the natural environment we share, our valued clients, and ourselves. Every decision we make has our five stakeholders in mind as we seek to B the Change we wish to see in the world.
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in the month of July to honor the history and efforts of the disability community to achieve equality and overcome barriers to employment and inclusion in society. Why July? It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
At ada.gov we find the following: “The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Disability rights are civil rights. From voting to parking, the ADA is a law that protects people with disabilities in many areas of public life.”
AMS has a long and rewarding history of hiring individuals with disabilities. We enjoy a longstanding relationship with Pleasantview Industries, thanks to the efforts of our former CEO, Ken Wiseman, who served on the Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities. Ken has retired, but the relationship continues on, as well as relationships with Desert Haven, and Carosel Ranch.
Pleasantview Industries is an organization working within the community for many decades. The organization offers job skills training for individuals with disabilities who are transitioning into work life as well as for those ready to seek employment. Desert Haven is an organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and Carosel Ranch offers equestrian therapy and vocational training programs. In our experience at AMS, individuals with disabilities are excellent employees, eager to enter the workplace and demonstrate their abilities.
From Wikipedia we find some information as to the beginning of disability pride Month.
“On March 12, 1990, over 1,000 people marched from the White House to the U.S. Capitol to demand that Congress pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. Upon arrival, about 60 activists, including eight-year-old Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, physically demonstrated the inaccessibility of public spaces by getting out of their wheelchairs or setting aside their mobility aids and crawling up the Capitol steps in an act of civil disobedience that later became known as the Capitol Crawl. 104 activists were arrested for unlawful demonstration, many of whom were in their wheelchairs. On July 26, 1990 President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. Each July is celebrated as Disability Pride Month in commemoration of the historic moment.”
Some of us can think back to the time when there were no ramps for entering buildings and navigating stairs, no ways for disabled individuals to get on a bus in a wheelchair, and so many other obstacles. We are so grateful for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which took these things into consideration.
The first Disability Pride Day was held in 1990 in Boston. On this day more than 400 people marched, drove, and wheeled from City Hall to Boston Common. Their purpose was to demonstrate that disability is a natural part of the human experience, and it does not need to be viewed as tragic. The first Disability Pride Parade, outside of the Boston parades, took place in Chicago. The date was 2004. Fifteen hundred people attended the first parade, and parades have been held every year since with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the years there have been many more parades across the US as well as in England, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, and South Korea. As of 2022, Disability Pride Month is not yet nationally recognized in the United States. Hopefully that will change, and soon.
A website called The ARC has some excellent information on how to celebrate Disability Pride Month. From the website we quote the following inspiring words:
“Disability is a part of the rich tapestry of human diversity, and something that nearly all of us will experience at some point in our lives. It’s also a significant identity that defines how we experience the world. Yet people with disabilities have been marginalized and misunderstood for generations. All disabilities and their intersecting identities should be acknowledged, valued, and respected, and one way to do that is during Disability Pride Month.”
We hope you will check out events in your area and enjoy and support them. Visit The ARC HERE.
AMS Fulfillment is a certified B Corporation, committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are greatly benefitted by a diverse workforce.
It’s that special day of fireworks, pool parties, picnics, fun, movies, events, relaxation, and family – Independence Day – July 4th. We hope you’re having a wonderful time.
What exactly are we celebrating besides having a day off and the fact that it’s Summer? We all know that this celebration is about the independence of the Colonies from Great Britain. But how many of us have actually read the Declaration of Independence? There’s a lot more in there beside the wonderful statement:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Declaration goes through the injuries and usurpations committed by the King of Great Britain. It covers 27 items and goes on to declare, “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
It’s a very interesting and even exciting document when thinking back to the time and the writing of it. History.com tells it like this:
“When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical. By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet “Common Sense,” published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.”
It was July 2nd, 1776 when the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later, delegates from the 13 Colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. There we have it – the reason July 4th is Independence Day. An interesting tidbit is included in the history of that Congress:
“On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 ‘will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival’ and that the celebration should include ‘Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.’”
John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date and according to the story, he turned down invitations to July 4th events in protest. One more interesting fact is that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
The 4th of July became a federal holiday in 1941, but the history of celebrations goes way back. One story is that some of the early celebrations included mock funerals for King George III. Other celebrations included concerts, bonfires, parades, firing cannons and muskets and public readings of the Declaration of Independence.
When did fireworks come into the picture? The answer is a bit surprising. Fireworks on the 4th is apparently not a new thing! The history points to July 4th, 1777 during a celebration in Philadelphia:
“The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: ‘At night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.’ That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.”
We stated that July 4th became a federal holiday in 1941, but that date points toward the year when the day became a paid holiday for all federal employees. Congress actually made July 4th a holiday in 1870, so the 1941 date is when it expanded to include a paid day off work.
Over the years the holiday has become less political and more celebratory as a special summer event for families and friends. As you celebrate, one thing we would encourage is to consider your pets and watch over them due to the startling effect of firework noise. Keep them in a safe space during the hours of fireworks.
We hope you have a great time!! Happy July 4th to all AMS employees, clients, and friends.
You can read the Declaration of Independence HERE.
It’s time for another report in our AMS safety series. In this end of June report we will review warehouse areas where injuries could happen, and then look at some of the areas we focus on as a B Corporation.
As we have shown in past blogs, AMS has a great safety record. For example, at AMS West we have had, in these 6 months of 2023, a lost time injury rate of 2 individuals among 444 full-time employees. This is significantly below the average.
In past months we have said that safety means a lot to AMS because B Corporations consider their employees stakeholders. What does it actually mean to say that employees are stakeholders? What it means to us is employee safety, health benefits, free education for training and advancement, and hiring individuals from the community who might otherwise have difficulty finding employment. We want to treat our employees right, and a part of doing that is considering them when making business decisions – they have a stake in the business.
Employee Safety – OSHA Standards
In warehouses, injuries happen most often in certain vulnerable areas. The areas include 1) manual handling, 2) hazardous chemicals, 3) heavy equipment, 4) machine entanglement and 5) conveyor belts.
Manual handling refers to employees physically handling packages and receiving injuries due to physical strain. In order to prevent injuries in manual handling, the training team teaches employees ways of handling items safely, i.e. don’t attempt to lift a package that is too heavy for you and also try not to stoop, reach too far or twist your body in order to handle a package. All employees who are required to lift and handle packages are trained in handling.
The next item is hazardous chemicals. The rules with regard to any materials that are considered hazardous is first of all to store these materials in cool, well-ventilated areas, marked with “Caution” signage. Employees who handle such materials must wear personal protective equipment, and most importantly, they receive specific training on how to handle anything that could be considered hazardous.
The next item is heavy equipment. Heavy equipment refers to the operation of forklifts and injuries that could result from forklift accidents. These injuries can be very serious and that’s why forklift training and safety is a high priority at AMS. AMS carefully maintains its equipment, provides PPE and follows the OSHA guidelines with regard to all protocols, including communication when forklifts are in operation.
The fourth item where injuries happen is with machine entanglement. Machine entanglement can also be quite serious. This incident would occur for example if an employee’s shirt sleeve got caught in machinery or sorting equipment or a conveyor belt. To avoid this occurring AMS employees are required to wear appropriate clothing and they are carefully trained, once again according to OSHA guidelines. AMS also maintains and inspects the machinery to prevent accidents.
Item number five is conveyor belt accidents. These injuries would be similar to machine entanglement, such as getting a finger or hand caught in the belt. The ways to prevent conveyor belt accidents have to do with keeping the conveyor belt speed right for the employee, allowing the employee time, and not overloading the belt. AMS conveyor belt loading and speed are very much attuned to avoid any injuries. Also, safety training is done here as well, according to OSHA guidelines, and the belts are well maintained.
B Corporations – Employees as Stakeholders
Following OSHA standards and training employees according to these standards is very specifically warehouse safety related, and OSHA training is effective. The B Corporation standards take into account employee satisfaction as well as safety, as B Corporations consider employees stakeholders in the company. Below is a report from Samantha Hicks, Corporate Culture and Org. Development Business Partner, on the B Corp standards as related to safety.
As a B Corporation, a distinct impact area that presents AMS’ key stakeholder group is our workers. AMS Safety Program evaluates our company’s contribution to health and safety.
Safety Goal:
helps demonstrate that our business is socially responsible
protects workers
helps maximize the productivity of workers
enhances employees’ commitment to the business
builds a more competent, healthier workforce
reduces business costs and disruption
enables business to meet OSHA expectations
Initiatives
Ensuring structures are appropriate for the work being carried out- employees have adequate workspace, lighting, ventilation, the offices are located in a well-built structure.
Labeling hazardous chemicals and equipment highlighting proper use, and if possible, replacing them with safer ones.
Providing protective gear for anyone handling hazardous equipment.
Promoting awareness of the workplace Occupational Safety and Health policies through training workers, managers and supervisors, providing copies of the policies to workers, posting the policies and procedures publicly where workers can easily access.
Ensuring machines are properly maintained to avoid unnecessary injuries. Provide training on new machines before they are used.
Training on first aid, provision of on-site clinics or subsidized health care can better improve employee health. Where employees work with hazardous materials/chemicals, employees should undergo annual checkups.
Employee Incentives
Monthly Safety monetary awards (including company lunch) for no lost time injuries, submitting safety checklist, and team training logs.
Safety Matters at AMS
Thank you Samantha for your report. As readers can see, safety matters in a warehouse. There is equipment that could cause injuries with improper use, and there are instances where communication and awareness is vital. Preventing injuries is a team effort and we train according to OSHA standards. We also go above and beyond with B Corporation standards, caring for employee health and wellness. Our employees are vital to the success of the business and we appreciate them as employees and as human beings.
We speak often about AMS being a B Corporation, placing our employees, community, environment and clients in the position of stakeholders. We do a series of blogs on the Green Team, and highlight the focus of AMS on reducing our impact on the environment. We’ve also spoken of employee education and employee safety in our Safety Series. We’ve spoken often about our clients and how we consider them stakeholders and partners in this business. But it has been quite a long while since we’ve covered our efforts to support the communities in which we do business.
There has been a Volunteer Committee at AMS almost since the company began. At the west coast location, AMS employees donated to support turkey dinners for Thanksgiving, and Christmas gift giving for families in need as far back as 2006. Betty-Lou and Ken Wiseman organized these efforts. And at AMS East the Activities Committee was started by Sharon Spanakos in 2008. That Committee organized similar giving events for families in need in the community.
Today the AMS Volunteer Committee supports the community in a number of ways. One of the areas involves volunteering in community cleanups. Another one of the activities is to hold fundraisers and donate the funds to local non-profit organizations. A third effort the committee makes is to partner with AMS clients to donate liquidation goods to non-profits. Another effort AMS has made for years is to train and hire individuals from local organizations who may have difficulty securing employment. AMS coordinates full circle with clients, the non-profits, operations, and drivers.
We invite readers to visit the websites and support the organizations AMS supports through donation and job training. AMS has long supported Senior Concerns, an organization dedicated to helping seniors with meals and home care. Single Mothers Outreach is another organization AMS has long supported, helping single parents with donations and jobs. LA Homeless Shelter supports the homeless as does Bridge to Home. The Boys and Girls Club supports youth, giving them a place to go to enjoy positive activities, and the American Youth Soccer Organization helps young soccer players afford their uniforms and furthers participation in soccer teams for all youth.
We decided to ask our volunteers what led them to be a volunteer at AMS and we received a most inspiring answer from Jamie B.
“I joined the Volunteer Committee to help advocate for fellow employees and help employees and encourage employees to participate in our monthly activities. I feel that enjoying where you work helps motivate people to do great things. I feel some of the ways to help the local community is to volunteer our time to food pantries, collecting items for homeless people or battered women possibly. Also cleaning up our community as well.”
For an overview on the goals of the volunteer committee and the individuals involved, we asked Samantha Hicks, Corporate Culture and Org. Development Business Partner who serves as the Program Lead.
“Our volunteer committee meetings improve culture and cohesiveness between team members across all levels, from Ops. Associates to C-Suites, and that’s the thing I appreciate, titles are left at the door. There is collaboration, and ideas are viewed at the same level. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have our CFO on our committee, advocating for budget allocation.
“Our projects are organic, meaning every Rep has different interest and can mold their event to their passion, or the culture of their facility, allowing creative freedom and reflecting the employees it represents. For example, one Rep expressed interest in celebrating Mexican Mother’s Day, the week prior American Mother’s Day, or choosing a non-profit that has meaning to them. The end goal is the same, improving employee experience, and being a positive force for our community.
“As a result, employees are happier, do better work, and contribute to a positive, supportive work culture. Employees feel the energy and are inspired to do great things in the community.”
“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” Dalai Lama
AMS Volunteer Reps:
AMS Volunteer Program Lead- Samantha H., HQ- Teresa G.; LIV- Saul M.; WIL- Alicia G.; WIT- Tangie D.; HR WEST- Rocio A. & Jamie B.; Delaware- Gabrielle F.; New Holland- Sharon S, Gabrielle F., Alyssa W., Wendy M.; HR East- Emma A., LaTanya W.; Executive- Bobbi B.
Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of May: Lupe R., Jesus M., Alicia G.., David B., Sharon S., Tyrone S., Tiffany S., and Taisha C.
In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them. Every month we see our employees working so hard with such outstanding dedication and we are continually impressed by the results they produce!
Congratulations to this month’s winners! All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch!
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Lupe R., Operations Associate III (01/22/2020) HQ, Valencia, CA
I nominate Lupe because she has shown so much potential and skill in the short time she has helped the receiving and inventory department. From helping in the CJ move, to now overall assist receiving, I have heard she does a good job, but I would have to say it is an understatement. She does an excellent job! She is quick to learn, recheck and verify the work is done correctly. Within days she figured out how to do the job and has been getting better at doing it. Lupe has primarily worked in shipping and picking roles for the past three years. This year, she has expanded her experiences by assisting in the receiving department and learning the differences between the role of the two departments. She has been fundamental in assisting with QC work, receiving processes, and timely communication. A big thank you to Lupe for stepping into a role that has truly helped the receiving team during a time of transition.
Jesus M., Operations Lead I (05/02/2019) LIV, Valencia, CA
Our choice for Employee of the Month for May is Jesus M. He is outstanding in that we see him show up to work early every day and leave late, making sure he gets the job done. He goes above and beyond his responsibilities, is always so courteous to lend a hand, and always making sure the client’s products are being properly shipped. He definitely deserves the Employee of the Month recognition!
Alicia G., Operations Supervisor I (09/30/2002) WIL, Valencia, CA
Alicia G. is the employee I would like to nominate for this honor because to me, she is an honest person who helps us with our day-to-day work and what whatever we need. Alicia is diligent in her work, without discriminating against anyone. She is a very good supervisor, knowing how to lead a group of people. The only thing I can say is Thank You very much Alicia for your help.
David B., Operations Associate II (08/22/2016) WIT, Valencia, CA
For Employee of the Month for May I would like to nominate David B. Every day he arrives to work with a smile and positive attitude. He is one of our fastest B2C pickers and is always willing to assist in other departments when help is needed. David’s attention to detail is a huge help with separating PO’s and item numbers when assisting in receiving. Thank you, David B., for a great job!
Sharon S., Billing Specialist II (04/26/1999) East Admin, New Holland, PA
Sharon is my nomination for Employee of the Month because she goes above and beyond working nights and weekends to ensure the billing is done in a timely manner for East and West coasts. She is helping with some accounting responsibilities until we can find suitable replacements for the employees who are no longer working at AMS. She never calls off from work and very rarely takes any vacation time off because of the workload. We Thank You Sharon for all you do! You deserve this honor and more.
Tyrone S., Operations Associate I (06/13/2022) New Castle, DE
I nominate Tyrone because he has been with AMS for over a year; he started in assembly and has grown into a vital part of the replenishment team for a very challenging client. He is always eager to learn and grow, he’s extremely reliable, and is always willing to help a team member out. But most importantly, his upbeat attitude, big smile, and Whitney Houston playlist keep us all in good spirits! I am so thankful Ty is a part of the AMS team! He absolutely deserves Employee of the Month!
Tiffany S., Operations Lead (05/03/2021) New Holland, PA
Tiffany is the perfect choice for Employee of the Month because she is a steadfast worker and is very dedicated to personal growth inside and outside of AMS. She has come an extremely long way since she started with our company as a temp associate and was hired on directly as an operations lead. Tiffany had shown great potential early on and has worked very hard to improve her leadership skills. She now is someone that many look up to. She is a team player always willing to help wherever needed, working long hours at times. We are so proud of how far she has come with AMS, and we are looking forward to seeing her continue her journey with us! Thank you Tiffany.
Taisha C., Exact Staff Associate (05/09/2023) Newark, DE
For our May Employee of the Month nomination I choose Taisha C. She has only been with us for about a month and a half, but we are very glad to have her on our team. Ty is here every day early and will stay late or come in on a Saturday whenever she is needed. She comes in here with a positive attitude and is willing to learn all of it. Thank you so much Ty and everything you do here! You deserve the to win the employee of the month!
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To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You! Keep up the great work!
President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became official January 1, 1863. It was 2 ½ years later that men, women and children enslaved in Texas heard the following news:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston June 19, 1865
Why did it take 2 ½ years for this message to be delivered. According to Juneteenth.com there are several answers to the why question:
“Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or none of these versions could be true. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln’s authority over the rebellious states was in question. Whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory.”
Why Juneteenth in Texas?
Apparently in response to the Emancipation, slave owners left Louisiana and other areas and fled to Texas which was still under Confederate control. When the troops did arrive, as seen in Granger’s order, the freedmen were told to stay where they were and become hired labor and they were also warned not to come to military posts as they would not be fed or sheltered there. At that point the freedmen had no food or living quarters other than what was provided the slave. Yet, some did leave and go North, and some simply left. But of course there were vagrant laws set up allowing them to be arrested and leased out as labor. So freedom was celebrated in a harsh reality.
According to the Juneteenth website the reaction to the news of freedom ranged from shock to jubilation. The writer states:
“North was a logical destination and for many it represented true freedom, while the desire to reach family members in neighboring states drove some into Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Settling into these new areas as free men and women brought on new realities and the challenges of establishing a heretofore non-existent status for black people in America.”
The beginnings of Juneteenth
The article goes on: “Recounting the memories of that great day in June of 1865 and its festivities would serve as motivation as well as a release from the growing pressures encountered in their new territories. The celebration of June 19th was coined “Juneteenth” and grew with more participation from descendants. The Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassuring each other, for praying and for gathering remaining family members. Juneteenth continued to be highly revered in Texas decades later, with many former slaves and descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on this date.”
When we celebrate Juneteenth at AMS Fulfillment, we do so with gratitude that the enslavement of human beings came to an end, finally, on this day. We know how hard-fought true freedom has been. In the years that followed the first Juneteenth we saw efforts at reconstruction, years of lynching and terrorism, years of Jim Crow laws and segregation, and finally the Civil Rights battles (still within the memory of many Americans.) It has been a long and arduous journey. Today our efforts focus on diversity in the workplace, equity and inclusion. At AMS we are thankful for the B Corporation model as we seek to ‘Be the Change’ and create the world that we would ALL want to live in.
The Celebrations over the Years
In the early years the Freedmen created the celebrations. They used rural locations around rivers and creeks, avoiding public property which in many places were barred to them. The activities included fishing, horseback riding, barbeques and church activities.
The article states, “Eventually, as African Americans became land owners, land was donated and dedicated for these festivities. One of the earliest documented land purchases in the name of Juneteenth was organized by Rev. Jack Yates. This fund-raising effort yielded $1000 and made possible the purchase of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas.”
The celebrations declined during the Great Depression and resurged again during the Civil Rights years. Juneteenth became an official state holiday on January 1, 1980 in Texas. This was due to the efforts of an African American state legislator, Al Edwards.
After that, celebrations of Juneteenth grew with Institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum and others sponsoring activities. Juneteenth celebrations promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. We need to know this history, celebrate the victories and take pride in the mountains we all have climbed as a culture. Getting involved and supporting Juneteenth celebrations creates new bonds of friendship and understanding among us.
On June 17th, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Juneteenth is a time to celebrate the inspiring truth within all human beings that we are created equal and gifted at birth with human rights. Wherever slavery and oppression still exist in the world, let us work together to bring freedom and opportunity.
The energy is stirring, the gifts are bought, the children have created the perfect artwork, meals are in the oven, what about the memes and the favorite pictures, let’s get ready – it’s Father’s Day!! How can we tell Daddy how much he means to us? Let’s find a way!!
No worries… I think he knows! Our Fathers, those in our lives who guide us and show us how to Be Fathers… we love them. And when Father’s Day comes around, we try to show them what they mean to us, somehow, some way.
Two of the most important commemorations of the year are for our parents – Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We’re grateful that these ‘days’ exist, causing us to return in the mind to fathers who may be no longer living, to recognize fathers who are indeed living and doing a great job, and to acknowledge and show love to all who are holding up the role of father in our families and neighborhoods – thank you!
Let’s take a quick look into where this commemoration came from. Who ‘decided’ it and why. Here’s what google says:
“Father’s Day was founded in Spokane, Washington, at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Its first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there.”
Well there we have it – founded out of love for an exemplary father. But then again, according to History.com Father’s Day has a longer and very interesting story behind it.
“The nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. However, it was not until 1972—58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official—that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States. Father’s Day 2023 will occur on Sunday, June 18.”
The Inspiration
The History article goes on to say that the ‘official’ Father’s Day was inspired by Mother’s Day, and as we saw, Mother’s Day came first by 58 years. The original Mother’s Day was held to honor a mother who brought together the mothers of the Confederate and Union soldiers during a reconciliation campaign after the Civil War ended. The daughter, Anna Jarvis, wanted to make the day a national holiday so she created a service dedicated to mothers that was sponsored by a Philadelphia department store. That was in 1909, and apparently the idea caught on so well it was made official by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. He dedicated it to “that tender, gentle army, the mothers of America.”
Now that we know about Mother’s Day, what about Father’s Day? Well, apparently this was more challenging. Retailers knew they could sell flowers and gifts for Mothers, but Fathers didn’t cooperate very well – they didn’t go for the sentimentality.
The First Father’s Days
A West Virginia church organized a Father’s Day for a reason far above and beyond sentimentality: “On July 5, 1908, a West Virginia church sponsored the nation’s first event explicitly in honor of fathers, a Sunday sermon in memory of the 362 men who had died in the previous December’s explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah, but it was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday.”
The next year in Spokane, Washington, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, went to churches, shopkeepers, YMCA and government officials in an effort to establish an official Father’s Day. She and her brothers and sisters had been raised by their father, who was a widower. She was successful in getting Washington State to celebrate Father’s Day on June 19, 1910. Apparently the idea did spread and States began honoring Fathers, but as we know, Father’s Day didn’t become ‘official’ until 1972.
What took it so long? Apparently the men just weren’t into it! As we mentioned, it was considered a little too sentimental for them. The retailers tried to move it forward but the Fathers resisted… they didn’t want to spend their money on gifts for themselves. The argument arose that both parents should be loved and honored, so a movement was created to scrap Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and create a Parent’s Day. This idea was derailed by the Great Depression.
On we go to the time period of WWII. Once again, retailers took up the Father’s Day advocacy, arguing that celebrating Father’s Day was a way to honor American troops and support the war effort. By the end of the war, Father’s Day was not yet a federal holiday, but it was celebrated across the nation. Finally, in 1972 President Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a federal holiday.
Yes, retailers did play a role in creating Father’s Day but let’s go back to the first one. If you recall, the very first one took place to honor more than 360 Fathers who died in a coal company mining explosion. And the second one was founded to honor a father who raised six children by himself. Just two examples of the sacrifice, dedication and strength of Fathers. And let’s include guidance as well.
Happy Father’s Day to all AMS Dads, all surrogate Dads, and all who take up the noble role of Father. You know what we love about you? It is your Example to us. We all know a gift to Dad doesn’t have to involve spending money. Spending time is a cherished gift, and doing something special that Dad enjoys will give him memories. Those are the best gifts of all. But if we want to make the retailers happy and spend a little money on a sentimental gift… it’s okay. Dad likes getting gifts too.
In our B Corporation Series we focus on B Corporations that are examples to all. We link to B Corps that are undertaking inspiring roles in creating the world we all want to see, where employees, the community and the environment are stakeholders in the decisions of the corporation.
In this week’s newsletter, the B the Change organization is putting their emphasis on the Power of Purpose. The B Corporation concept has come a great distance since the first companies certified in 2007. Today there are now more than 6,700 companies that are verified for their positive impact around the world. They range in size from small to multinational.
AMS Fulfillment is one of only a few B Corp certified fulfillment companies across the world. We became B Corporation certified in 2017. The ‘business with a purpose’ concept fit very well with what AMS had been doing with regard to employees, community and environment. We are truly proud of the free higher education we offer our employees, which is just one of the benefits our employees enjoy. Our Green Team is an example to others of what a fulfillment company can do to lessen its impact on the environment, and our community involvement goes back many years not only doing charitable work but in hiring individuals from the community who otherwise might have difficulty finding employment.
In this report, readers will look into a Champion B Corp bank that has a very long record of being purpose driven, and an inspiring story of a B Corp paying a living wage in a world where wages are not sufficient. We found these stories to be excellent examples of the Power of Purpose.
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Banking for Impact: 100 Years of Purpose-Driven Services Add Up for B Corp Bank
Amalgamated Bank Helps Customers Align Their Money with Their Values
“When the B Corporation community launched with the first companies certifying their positive impact in 2007, the concept of using business for purpose in addition to profit had been practiced by some companies for much longer. One of those is Amalgamated Bank, a B Corp that recently marked its 100th anniversary. The bank was started by women and immigrants to serve the financial needs of workers and continues to help customers align their money with their values.
“As companies and individuals look to align their values with their banking and investments, B Corp banks are an option certified for their commitment to people and the planet alongside profit. Amalgamated is one long-standing example of how banking and investment practices can be financially sound and enable customers to have a positive, values-aligned impact.”
You can read the full story about this bank’s 100 years of Purpose Driven Business HERE.
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4 Lessons from Implementing a Living Wage
B Corp Boldr Rolls Out Living Wage Goal in the Philippines
“’A rising tide lifts all boats’ is a metaphor that means when a community shows material positive improvement or grows, everyone benefits. The same way a rising tide in the ocean raises all boats, a growing economy or company is meant to benefit everyone in it, regardless of their specific circumstances. This was the kind of upliftment Boldr envisioned when we made it our goal to introduce a living wage.
“However, when we set out on a mission to pay each team member a living wage, there were a couple of knock-on effects that we did not anticipate. While these learnings presented some challenges, they did not derail our journey toward achieving a living wage in all the countries we operate in.
“All team members will be paid a living wage by the end of 2023. This was the goal we set at the beginning of the year. In the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, which historically kept wages as low as competitively possible, we committed to paying wages that enabled all team members to live dignified lives.”
You can read the full story of Boldr’s Power of Purpose, to provide a living wage to its employees HERE.
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We are proud to bring this B Corporation Series to the readers and feature B Corps that stand out as examples of businesses that commit themselves to Be the Change that we wish to see in the world. AMS publishes a Green Team blog on the work being done to reduce our environmental impact and we also publish a Safety Series on the very successful efforts being made to see to our employees’ safety.
As Betty-Lou Wiseman is leaving AMS, she takes a piece of our hearts with her. The President of AMS has been with us a long time, she has built the AMS culture perhaps more than anyone else. Betty-Lou has played many roles within the business, she has shown us what community service means, and she has shown us that yes, women can definitely lead.
Betty-Lou came to AMS in 2004 with over 15 years of experience in many aspects of fulfillment including directing Client Services. She became AMS’ Executive VP of Client Services and was promoted to President of AMS in 2019. In her years at AMS Betty-Lou mentored many individuals who today thank her sincerely for her guidance.
Over the years her service to the community was inspiring as well. She served on the Board of the SCV Domestic Violence Center and did fundraising for numerous organizations including multiple youth organizations, Senior Concerns and Single Mothers Outreach. She serves on AMS’ exemplary Volunteer Champion committee. Betty-Lou has been amazing in her service to the community.
Where is she going? AMS CEO, Jay Catlin, gives us that information in his announcement of her departure in a message to employees.
Betty-Lou has been with AMS for nearly 20 years as an incredible contributor toward our success, and someone who has embodied our giving, family-like culture from Day One. Betty-Lou has chosen to pursue a new path outside of AMS… one that will serve her community as she is looking forward to working with her husband Ken (long-time AMS CEO) on all his new ventures. I know Betty-Lou will remain connected to AMS and its people as an owner of the company and most importantly, a friend and mentor to so many. On behalf of AMS, I sincerely thank Betty-Lou for her contributions over the years and being a pillar of strength for so many along the way.
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To say a fitting farewell, we have asked several individuals that Betty-Lou worked with and inspired to speak for us, and we added a final message you will enjoy!!
Samantha Hicks – Corporate Culture and Org. Development Business Partner
I could write a book on Betty-Lou! I don’t even know where to begin to capture the essence of how amazing this person is, how much she has accomplished as a professional woman, and the gravity of the difference she made on so many people lives and on so many different levels, from a mom to someone who lost theirs at an early age, to mentoring an entry level warehouse employee to a director, to personally helping those in need, to hosting the most fab girl bonding parties at her house, to being so humble and caring someone wouldn’t know she is the president of the company so people open up to her, this is just my observations from the top of my head. She interviewed me in 2011 and has watched my career like an angel, always supporting growth for me. She is a safe-haven for me, and I know she was for a lot of people too, which is why her leaving brings a few tears.
She taught me the “human” side of my career. She is empathetic on how situations at work make people feel, and never made people feel bad about themselves. She is the queen of building relationships. There were two sides to every coin, and she believed in the goodness of people. She stops to listen and does everything in her power to help. When you walk around the warehouses with her, she glows. People look up and smile at her, hugs & kisses and everything! She has instilled what a company culture should be, and thanks to Betty-Lou, I now know and hope to carry her legacy and make her proud.”
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Michael Gumm, Director of Client Services
When I got the chance to write a little something about Betty-Lou Wiseman, I asked myself, where do I possibly start? Should I start at the very beginning when I walked across the street to interview for an Account Manager position, and she told me that I could join her team on the spot? Should I start with the fun parties we’ve had at the Wiseman house with great food, drinks, and most importantly… friends? Maybe I’ll start by thanking her for always caring for me when my mom passed away just a few months after I started at AMS. I couldn’t believe the way that Betty-Lou put her heart out and took me in as a son, when I was only 22 years old, with much confusion, anger, and growing up to do both inside and outside the workplace. Perhaps the best spot would be to thank her for showing me what it was to be true to herself, her family, her co-workers, her teams, no matter what the situation.
I could probably start with any of these points, but the truth is, I would always end up at the very same conclusion by the time I got to the end of my note. That being, that Betty-Lou is a person who you’ll only find once in a lifetime. She’s a once in a lifetime boss, mother, friend, wife, president, golfer, philanthropist, and absolutely incredible human that you’d be lucky to have spent time with. Betty-Lou can light up a room with laughter, good stories, and energy just by sitting down and eating some lunch. She has an energy and spirit about her that makes everyone in the room gather around and want to have a conversation with.
Folks who have worked for Betty-Lou know that they always give their best effort when she’s in charge of a project. We give it our all when she’s around. Not because she’s strict or pushes employees towards success, but simply because you can’t help but love her and want to do your very best to make her proud, knowing that she’ll be right by your side every step of the way (regardless of the circumstances). Win or lose, profit or loss, acquisition or disengagement, Betty-Lou has your back to the end. It is with much sorrow and excitement (at the very same time) that I will muster up the courage to say goodbye to her at AMS. Tears start building up every time I think about her retirement, but they are happy tears that represent all the great memories, the great achievements, the great fun we’ve had over the past 15 years.
The crazy part about this long ride is that it never really felt too much like work when Betty-Lou was at the helm of the ship. She was and is such a great leader that you can’t help but work hard for. She never stopped being fair and true to her morals and values, even when inevitable success overwhelmed AMS over many years of growth, she held true to her job, herself, her people, and her family. She never faked the funk, and always kept it real by speaking the truth (even to the folks that couldn’t handle the truth). My keyboard is damp with happy tears as I type the end of this note to my 2nd mother Betty-Lou. There is no doubt in the world that she will be just as great of a person outside the workplace as she was inside. She worked so hard to get here and I’ll always remember how much fun we had along the way, how great of a job we did for all those clients, how many employees we made happy when they were down, how many folks we groomed and grew when they didn’t look to have much of a future, how many awesome battles we fought (and won) against the toughest businessmen and businesswomen.
Through all those endeavors, I wish you a warm and loving farewell Betty-Lou. Even though I’ll still get to see you from time to time, I’ll miss you so much at work and think of you all the time. It makes me happy to think that I can carry on so many great things that you taught me along the way: staying true to morals, taking the fair pathway, even if it’s a challenging one, sharing good virtues to team members, leading by example, sticking up for yourself when you know it’s right, fighting for the quiet ones who can’t fight for themselves, staying positive during the tough times, and always showing up with a smile and a good attitude. Love you Betty-Lou and will always have you in my heart. Thank you for believing in a young stubborn boy and always being there for me, rain or shine. It was a great blessing to get to work for you for all these years.
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Justin Wiseman – Director of Operations WIT 2 (and son of Betty-Lou and Ken Wiseman)
It’s with a heavy heart that my mom Betty-Lou Wiseman is moving on from AMS. Our company has been built on a platform where our employees are #1. It’s one of the most important things my mom and dad taught me. If you speak to any of our WIT2 employees they will feel the same way. We are the AMS family. We all spend more time with each other than we do with our own families. That being said I’ve been a lucky guy to work with my Mom and Dad for 20 years and help build this company to what it is today.
My Mom has been a pivotal human in the organization and representation of our company. She has stuck by everyone and is always a “mom” when you need her. Overall I did my best to “not” work with Betty-Lou because than means there would be escalation and in my workplace and world that doesn’t happen.
I have learned from my family how to treat all people honestly and as equals. Never put anyone down. Work with people. Understand someone might be dealing with outside things and to be empathetic and realize life’s not always perfect. My Mom will be missed so much from our company. She’s not just my mom. She’s the AMS mom. I’m really glad I got to share the best Mom in the world with so many others. Her grace and the way she can fix anything is irreplaceable. Love you Betty-Lou. You’re not only an awesome mom but a great boss, role model, and just an overall super human whom I have so much respect for.
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We will end this writing with a message sent to us by Ken Wiseman, former AMS CEO and the ‘one and only one’ who could take Betty-Lou away from us!
Hello AMS!
I got word that a few people are sharing their thoughts about Betty-Lou leaving AMS. I thought I would also take a few minutes to share what her departure means to me…
While I know that Bet will be missed at AMS, it is so exciting to me to have Betty-Lou joining me once again in all of the projects we have going on in Piru. While Bet stayed on with AMS after I retired last year, to be honest, it’s been a difficult for me to see her heading off to work each day. Most that know us remember that I loved the fact that we have worked together for 44 years, 43 while married. Many recall how I sulked around on days Bet was away, and I usually didn’t go a full day without a few trips to her office to catch-up. Many also remember that at meetings, I was often pranked by team members purposely taking the seats next to Bet at meetings, but then graciously giving them up to me when my obvious disappointment prevailed.
Bet completes me. The tons of ideas gain foundation and occasional grounding when Bet gets involved. She has already been helping me on some of these projects in her spare time, but having her around full time is going to be a welcome change.
I know Bet takes great pride in the team that she has built, and has great confidence in the team’s continued success. I know she is excited to be joining me on these ventures, and while I know she will miss the team and she will always, as I have, keep the great memories close to her heart and look forward to future get togethers and updates on how everyone is doing.
So what do we have planned? Well first and importantly, more time for us and our family and friends. Being home bodies, much of that time will be spent at home and in our community. The Corazon de Piru Coffee Shop and Beer and Wine Café will be opening at the end of June. Our Mountain View Inn and Restaurant will open in August or September. We have 3-affordable housing projects underway, one for seniors, and 2 for general residential. Bet looks forward to more time with her Board position with the Santa Paula – Fillmore – Piru Boys and Girls Club and she is also excited about joining the Red Cross to train for disaster assistance and logistics for Piru. Bet has been already a big help to me with our involvement in the Piru Neighborhood Council. Relaxation will be time in our vineyard as we commercialize the vineyard and look forward to serving our wine to the Community in the Café and Restaurant. Hope to see many of you come by for a visit!
It has been a wonderful journey to have shared with our AMS family, and it has been much of what we have learned about working with people from all walks of life while at AMS, that has helped lay the path for our retirement and pursuing activities that embrace community. It’s with great joy that I welcome Bet back into my life on a full time basis!!!
Most sincerely, Ken
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Thank you Jay, Samantha, Michael, Justin and Ken. There is no way to express what Betty-Lou means to all of us, but we needed to try and send her off to her new ventures with LOVE. And it looks like we did just THAT!! Go with LOVE, Betty-Lou. We will miss you, but we know you’re in good hands!!
AMS Fulfillment is delighted to welcome our new VP of Human Resources, Lucenda (Cindy) Beeson. We are pleased and very fortunate to have Cindy join us at AMS with her skillset, training, her extensive experience in Human Resources and her knowledge of retail and distribution and employee safety. AMS looks forward to her leadership in this vital role. We are pleased as well that Cindy is aligned with our B Corporation culture, committed to our employees, our community and our world. Welcome Cindy into the AMS corporate family!
Cindy comes to AMS from Lamps Plus where she served as Vice President of Human Resources. She was responsible for Human Resources and Safety for 36 stores, and 2 large distribution centers. She served as Human Resources VP at Lamps Plus for over 12 years. During those years she enjoyed going out to the stores and working alongside the employees, assisting with inventory and product builds. Cindy began her career in Human Resources in manufacturing prior to moving to the aerospace Industry and eventually retail and distribution.
Cindy holds a BA in Human Resources from Almeda College, A six Sigma Green Belt, and she is a certified Project Manager. She spends her free time traveling with her husband in support of their philanthropic efforts. Cindy also enjoys sewing and various crafts.
AMS CEO, Jay Catlin, welcomed Cindy with these words:
“New to AMS is our VP of Human Resources, Cindy Beeson! You will all find that Cindy is an incredible fit for AMS with her commitment to ‘Do Good’ in business, her wealth of experience, and her dedication to the people who make the company run. I’m incredibly excited about the influx of talent in Human Resources at AMS, and I’m sure you all will be as well.”
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Welcome La Tanya Warren, HR Manager, AMS East
In March of 2023 LaTanya Warren joined AMS as our HR Manager, AMS East. We are so pleased and fortunate to have someone with her depth of experience in this vital position. Her ideals are aligned with our B Corporation goals and we very much look forward to working with her. LaTanya comes to AMS Fulfillment with more than 23 years of HR experience. Her experience was gained in a variety of industries, such as healthcare, non-profit, logistics and hospitality.
LaTanya gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management, and she is a Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional. In her time at home with family, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.
AMS CEO, Jay Catlin, welcomed La Tanya with these words:
“I’d like to officially welcome LaTanya Warren to the Team as our new HR Manager on the East Coast! LaTanya is a tremendous new addition to our HR Team who hit the ground running for us in March. As we all know, Human Resources is a critical success area for us with our people-intensive business, and LaTanya brings a strong level of overall HR experience to the Team, including managing the challenges of seasonal spikes.”
There are some very important awareness events in July, having to do with the oceans and our natural environment. The AMS Green Team would like to inform readers about ‘Plastics Free July’. We have all seen and grieved at the sight of wildlife, and especially ocean life, being harmed and destroyed by plastics that have been discarded – not recycled, or not reused or properly disposed of.
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in the month of July to honor the history and efforts of the disability community to achieve equality and overcome barriers to employment and inclusion in society. Why July? It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It’s time for another report in our AMS safety series. In this end of June report we will review warehouse areas where injuries could happen, and then look at some of the areas we focus on as a B Corporation.
President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became official January 1, 1863. It was 2 ½ years later that men, women and children enslaved in Texas heard the following news:
In our B Corporation Series we focus on B Corporations that are examples to all. We link to B Corps that are undertaking inspiring roles in creating the world we all want to see, where employees, the community and the environment are stakeholders in the decisions of the corporation.
As Betty-Lou Wiseman is leaving AMS, she takes a piece of our hearts with her. The President of AMS has been with us a long time, she has built the AMS culture perhaps more than anyone else. Betty-Lou has played many roles within the business, she has shown us what community service means, and she has shown us that yes, women can definitely lead.
Welcome Cindy Beeson, VP of Human Resources
Welcome La Tanya Warren, HR Manager, AMS East