There is no avoiding stress – we feel it. As we attempt to return to normal, post pandemic, we find ourselves somewhat changed, mentally and emotionally. People are experiencing anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression, and our question is, how can the work environment advance mental health and help employees de-stress and return to normal or better?
There was a lot of fear in the world with COVID, and uncertainty. We held strong and here at AMS. We did everything we could, plus some, to alleviate that fear and stay well. Even though we dedicated ourselves to keeping employees safe, some of us lost friends or family, and some of us may be experiencing ongoing health effects of covid. Every one of us has experienced a loss of one depth or another. We lost a way of life.
If we can learn techniques to gain a greater level of health and well-being and have access to counseling and understanding we can experience a recovery and greater mental health.
The World Health Organization website published a “Wake-up call to all countries to step up mental health services and support.” The article states that anxiety and depression have increased by 25%. According to the article, mental health conditions have prompted 90% of countries to increase mental health and psychosocial support. The WHO Director-General was quoted as saying, “This is a wake-up call to all countries to pay more attention to mental health and do a better job of supporting their populations’ mental health.”
What is AMS doing to help employees deal with the mental health effects of uncertainty and loss from the pandemic? We asked Samantha Hicks, Corporate Culture and Org. Development Business Partner.
“To best support employee’s emotional health, we must consider every aspect of what makes us human.
“Work life balance – the time we spend at work has an undeniable influence on our personal lives and well-being. We are all human, so leaders support employees having to take time off work due to day care issues or coaching their kid’s baseball team, or caring for a loved one, for example.
“Volunteer committee – we spend more time at work than we do with our own families. Our volunteer committee fosters a culture where employees can be themselves and have fun at work.
“Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – doing nothing to support employee mental health contributes to the stigma that prevents people from seeking help when they need it. It’s not up to company leaders to diagnose conditions. But it is an organizational responsibility to recognize when employees are struggling and offer ways to help. AMS offers employees and their household free EAP, with mental health services accessible and readily available for all.”
For more information on AMS’ Employee Assistance Program, you are welcome to contact the HR Department.
During the lockdown many of us experienced loneliness from the social isolation. While AMS was considered essential, and we stayed open, quite a few people were sent home, to work from home utilizing the Internet. We were no longer able to engage with family and friends. We also experienced fear of infection, suffering and grief for loved ones and friends. And far from least, we had new financial worries.
According to the WHO, young people are more at risk of suicidal and self-harming behaviors, and also, the data indicates that women have been more severely impacted than men and people with pre-existing physical health conditions, such as asthma, cancer and heart disease, were more likely to develop symptoms of mental disorders.
Unfortunately, during the pandemic mental health services were disrupted. Today many people are still unable to get the care and support they need. We encourage AMS employees and families to take advantage of the free Employee Assistance Program if they feel it might be beneficial.
AMS is a B Corporation, and we consider our employees vital to our success, and worthy of our investment.
Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of June: Angelina C., Abad D., Marlen L., Dessire P., Stephen H., Judy A., Eric L., and Amber P.
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!
Angelina C., Janitor I, (05/05/2015) HQ, Valencia, CA
We nominate Angelina because she does an excellent job in making sure all is clean and organized. She is always smiling and working hard. She is very conscious of making sure all is sanitized to the best of her ability. She knows the importance of making sure that we all have a safe and clean environment and is helpful in what is needed to tend to the facility. The best part is she is very polite, courteous, and respects everyone.
Abad D., Janitor I, (11/08/2022) LIV, Valencia, CA
Abad is definitely the one we want to nominate for her hard work here at our Livingston facility. She has a strong work ethic with keeping everything clean, up to par, and she is accommodating everybody with their different needs. Since her arrival, all employees have seen and mentioned the big change in the cleanliness in the warehouse. She is always smiling and bringing everyone’s spirits up with her cheerful spirit, respect, and politeness. Her eager attitude to help has won the hearts of many employees here at Livingston. We are in a playful battle with HQ because she is wanted everywhere she goes. Thank you, Abad, being such a positive asset in the AMS facilities.
Marlen L., Operations Lead I, (08/15/2016) WIL, Valencia, CA
We are nominating Marlen for Employee of the Month because she oversees nine accounts and manages two different shifts successfully. She is always on time, and cross-trains employees with kindness and patience. She is always open to new processes and willing to take anyone to the next level. She enjoys her career, and she is creative in cultivating new ways to keep processes running smoothly. She is a pleasure to work with and a true asset to the Williams team.
Dessire P., Operations Associate II, (03/21/2023) WIT, Valencia, CA
Dessire is our choice for June Employee of the Month. She is an excellent team player. Her commitment to get the job done quickly and efficiently is unlike any other. She is friendly and does not mind helping others when asked for help. She always has a smile and positive attitude at work. She definitely deserves this honor!
Stephen H., IT Support II, (11/18/2021) IT, Valencia, CA
We are nominating Stephen because he does everything he can to help AMS be as productive a company as possible. He is always willing to help an IT counterpart or any person that needs assistance. He will always do it with a smile on his face. Whether a simple fix or a complex project, he will always see to it that it is done properly and on time. He has a very professional demeanor and seems to have a good relationship with everyone he encounters. I have had several workers make very positive comments about Stephen. He truly deserves employee of the month.
Judy A., Operations Associate I, (09/08/2022) New Castle, DE
Judy is our choice for employee of the month because since she joined the team, she has been an A+ employee. She is always here early and jumps right into her work with a positive, smiling attitude on her face. She will do anything you ask her to do and will get it done fast. She goes above and beyond with one of our most challenging clients. We appreciate all her hard work.
Eric L., Operations Associate I, (08/12/2021) New Holland, PA
Eric recently joined our receiving team and quickly learned all that is needed to get product from dock to stock. He’s done a terrific job and he is our choice for Employee of the Month! Great work Eric!
Amber P., Operations Lead I, (10/03/2022) Churchman’s, New Castle, DE
We are nominating Amber because she has stepped up and met every challenge we’ve had moving into this new facility. She deserves Employee of the Month! With each month of CT B2B growing she has adapted and grown with it and shown the ability to work in a fast-paced busy environment day in and day out. Thank you Amber!
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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!
One of the ways that AMS has served the community for many years is to arrange for the charitable donation of inventory that our fulfillment clients have offered for donation.
There are times when a fulfillment company client has older inventory or overstock inventory sitting on the shelves, taking up space in the warehouse. This inventory is sometimes sold through a liquidator. But another option, one that AMS encourages, and many AMS clients prefer, is to donate inventory to nonprofit organizations in the community. This has been the practice at both AMS East and AMS West for a number of years. We locate nonprofits that are in need of donations, and we facilitate the gift of clients’ products.
In the first six months of 2023 AMS clients have partnered with us to donate over $350,000 worth of product to help support nonprofits in our communities. The products include T-shirts, items of clothing, household detergents, coffee, makeup, shoes, nail polish, and all kinds of other products as well.
The clients of AMS place value in our B Corporation status and they are inspired to use their business as a force for good as well. Another positive in some cases it that there are more advantages for the client to donate stagnant merchandise rather than clear it through a liquidator. Liquidators look for the lowest price possible and then resell for profit. By donating that nonmoving merchandise to charity, AMS clients can earn a federal income tax deduction up to twice the cost and have the satisfaction of knowing that their merchandise is going to a nonprofit in the local community.
When an AMS client comes to us, knowing we are a B Corp, and asks for suggestions on how and where to donate, our client service team will investigate the inventory and report to the client any products or clothing items that have been stagnant. Then the team will determine which community organizations would benefit, and suggest that organization to the client as a recipient.
AMS began this form of charitable contribution as early as 2004. We have searched for nonprofits within our local communities that are fostering civic engagement and leadership, driving economic growth, and strengthening the fabric of our communities. We also look into the nonprofit’s mission in action when our employees, families or neighbors are direct beneficiaries.
Some of the organizations that have received donations from our clients are as follows:
East coast – Phoenix Used Clothing, Plummer Community Correction Center, Horizon House Peer Recovery Center, Network Connect, Inc.
West coast – Bridge to Home, Single Mothers Outreach, LA Homeless Shelter.
Samantha Hicks, Corporate Culture and Org. Development Business Partner, handles the charitable contributions at AMS West and LaTanya Warren, Human Resources Manager handles the contributions at AMS East. Both Samantha and LaTanya have the help of hard-working teams that know the community and facilitate the donations. Our drivers, who deliver the donations, get to experience the smiles and gratitude and they do enjoy it. Ultimately our donations team includes clients, client services, nonprofits, and delivery drivers, all feeling good about making the world a better place.
Samantha had this to say regarding the donation process: “How I help decide on the charity has to do with the product being donated and which non-profit can best benefit from that item.”
We are very grateful to our clients who approach us to offer donations of their older inventory. There are also instances where we reach out to clients and recommend donation of their overstock or older inventory. We appreciate every client that thinks of the community and the benefit of donation to people in need. AMS is a B Corporation and we consider the communities in which we live as stakeholders in our decisions.
The UN General Assembly, in November of 2009, declared July 18th as “Nelson Mandela International Day.” The reason for their declaration was that Nelson Mandela, born on this day, devoted 67 years of his life in service to humanity. Due to the dedication and sacrifice of Nelson Mandela, the efforts of the people he led and inspired, and international pressure upon the government of South Africa, we today have a better world. Please click HERE to read the UN Declaration.
Time has passed since the end of apartheid in South Africa, and young people in today’s world may not know and understand the long battle that was engaged in to bring an end to this horrific system of racism, prejudice and discrimination.
In honoring the life of Nelson Mandela we will first answer the question… what is apartheid? The following paragraph is from Britannica.com. “Apartheid, (Afrikaans: “apartness”) policy that governed relations between South Africa’s white minority and nonwhite majority for much of the latter half of the 20th century, sanctioning racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against nonwhites.”
Apartheid was strongly resisted by Black South Africans. The African National Congress (ANC) campaigned to defy the system by entering white areas, using white facilities and refusing to carry “passes”. The government banned the ANC in 1960.
Nelson Mandela was an ANC activist who committed his life to the overthrow of the apartheid system. Because of his activities as an attorney and a leader, he was arrested in 1956 for seditious activities. His ‘treason trial’ prosecution was unsuccessful, but he was arrested again in 1962 as an ANC leader and sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the State. He spent 27 years in prison.
During these years the government of South Africa came under increasing international pressure to end the apartheid system. Finally, under fears of a racial civil war, the President of South Africa, President F.W. deKlerk, released Mandela from prison. That was in 1990. Nelson Mandela and President deKlerk led efforts to bring an end to apartheid. In the 1994 multiracial election, Mandela led the ANC to victory and became President of South Africa. In 1996, the country initiated a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in an attempt to reckon with the gross human rights violations during apartheid.
The History website covers how apartheid was brought to an end through internal and international pressure. “The formal end of the apartheid government in South Africa was hard-won. It took decades of activism from both inside and outside the country, as well as international economic pressure, to end the regime that allowed the country’s white minority to subjugate its Black majority. This work culminated in the dismantling of apartheid between 1990 and 1994.” We encourage readers to enjoy the full article HERE.
The UN resolution that created Nelson Mandela Day International recognizes Mandela’s service to humanity. Nelson Mandela was and is a true international hero who contributed significantly to a better world.
AMS Fulfillment is happy to recognize and honor his service. On Nelson Mandela Day International we encourage our readers to study the life of this man who helped to create a better world through 67 years of battle and sacrifice. We believe that every one of us has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better! Thank you Nelson Mandela!
At the Nobel Peace Prize website readers can enjoy some biographical information and find inspiration in the life of this exemplary man. Click HERE to enjoy this information.
When we see something inspiring that B Corporations are doing, we like to share it with the readers. Such a moment has come regarding reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada and beyond. According to a message from B The Change, certified B Corporations in Canada are working with the government in exploring ways to create reconciliation models that can be applicable beyond the Canadian border.
Quoting from the message: “During a recent B Corp Leadership Development (BLD) webinar, Indigenous peoples and allies shared practices, policies, and pathways for reconciliation. Gwen Bridge of Gwen Bridge Consulting emphasized the importance of trust-based relationships as a framework for healing.”
The reason that reconciliation is so inspiring and valuable is that it seeks to address past wrongs, repair relationships, create understanding, restore trust, and rebuild. According to the article, Indigenous Peoples are 5% of the population but they maintain 80% of the biodiversity. The framework that Gwen Bridge referred to involves learning from Indigenous Peoples and it provides a foundation for a relationship.
Gwen Bridge went on to say, “It’s really important to understand how Indigenous peoples view their relationship to the land — land is the fundamental relationship. Reconciliation is the work we’re doing in support of the relationship.”
It is important to recognize harms done to Indigenous Peoples in the US and Canada, and as a B Corporation, AMS supports and appreciates efforts of B Corporations to create healing and bring about economic and social parity. Thank you Gwen Bridge Consulting. Readers can enjoy the full article linked below.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Relationships As a Framework for Reconciliation Within Businesses
“By adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Canada committed to legal, economic, and moral actions that acknowledge and recognize the harms done to Indigenous peoples during colonization.” Read the full article HERE.
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We are pleased to share with readers two additional B Lab articles that feature ideas and inspiration to guide businesses on the pathway to racial equity as well as information on plans for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
A Framework for Collective Business Action Toward Racial Equity New Impact Improvement Program Helps B Corps Explore Racial Equity Practices and Policies
“Providing a way for business leaders to build anti-racist companies and a more equitable economy was the key goal at the inception of the first Racial Equity Impact Improvement Program led by B Lab U.S. & Canada. The program, launched in April 2023, included leaders from 12 Certified B Corporations who took an eight-week journey of education and exploration about racial equity with guidance from experts at partner organizations.” Read the full article HERE.
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How B Corps Can Commit to a Racial Equity Journey Highlights from Listen & Level Up: Disrupting with Love and Humanity
“As part of its work to build an inclusive economy that works for all people, B Lab U.S. & Canada prioritizes racial equity as one of three pillars in its Theory of Change. Initiatives in support of this include the Level program for women business owners who also identify as Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color. Through models of engagement and support on B Corp Certification, the Level program takes aim at barriers to business funding and growth these women typically face due to systemic racism.” Read the full article HERE.
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AMS Fulfillment is fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we appreciate the work of other B Corporations on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and racial equity. We can all learn from each other and be inspired and strengthened in our efforts.
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!
