News

We’re ready to begin the month of May with a salute to our AMS employees of Mexican heritage! Cinco de Mayo is coming right up and there is recognition of that day, that battle victory, the culture, the food and the people at AMS Fulfillment.

Before mentioning the celebrations in the Los Angeles area, we’ll look at the event that is being celebrated. From the History website we find out that this event celebrates a particular battle – the Battle of Puebla.

“Certain that success would come swiftly, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. From his new headquarters in the north, Juárez rounded up a ragtag force of 2,000 loyal men—many of them either Indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry—and sent them to Puebla.

“The vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans, led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza, fortified the town and prepared for the French assault. On May 5, 1862, Lorencez gathered his army—supported by heavy artillery—before the city of Puebla and led an assault.

“The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash.”

This victory is even more significant in that the main goal of the French army was to conquer the USA under the military and political leader, Napoleon Bonaparte! You can read the full story HERE.

AMS is very grateful to and appreciative of our employees of Mexican heritage and our Spanish speaking employees. For six years we have offered free ESL classes during work hours and we have enjoyed an excellent response, with many graduates. We have also translated our OSHA safety training booklet into Spanish and begun holding our OSHA walks in both English and Spanish.

We are confident there will be many Cinco de Mayo celebrants at our various AMS facilities on May 5^th, and we wish them all a great day, with good food, friends and fun!

An excellent listing of Cinco de Mayo events in the Los Angeles area can be found HERE.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Harris

Saturday, May 14, is a ‘big day’ coming up in May – the SCV Relay for Life! Relay for Life is a fundraising movement of the American Cancer Society in which communities across the world come together to honor and remember loved ones and help raise funds to support cancer research, provide help for cancer patients, provide access to screening and so forth.

The Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) community is holding a Relay for Life and AMS Fulfillment is proudly participating as a Team. We want to share some details to encourage you – our employees and friends – to attend the SCV Relay for Life with us. This is a community based walk event to celebrate our Survivors, remember those we have lost, and fight back as a community to end cancer.

At the cancer.org website we find the following information:

“Relay For Life is a movement, a community of like-minded survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and participants who believe that the future can be free from cancer. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our community is currently connecting in different ways. While our fundraising might look different right now, our passion to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer is unchanged.

“When you participate in Relay For Life, you become a vital part of the American Cancer Society: a volunteer. You are now part of an organization of 2.5 million survivors, patients, advocates, volunteers, caregivers, and researchers doing everything within our power to save lives.” 

The location of the SCV Relay for Life event is CENTRAL PARK, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, California, 91350. You can map the location HERE.

AMS Team participants will meet up at a Campsite Location, and details on the location will be shared soon. You can join the AMS group in person by registering HERE and also participate by donating. The AMS Team will setup a space to fundraise and hang out, with participants welcome to bring tents, chairs, and so forth.

What Are The Basics To Know?

* Relay For Life runs from 9 am – 9 pm on May 14, 2022
* Food will be available for purchase throughout the entire event. (details coming soon)
* Upon arrival, follow the direction signs and drive slowly to a parking spot. 
* Schedule of activities is available below.
* You can participate in 2 ways: Walk and/or Donate

Schedule of Events

• 9:00 am – Opening Ceremonies
• 9:45 am – Team Lap/Introductions
• 10:00 am – 1:45 pm – Various performances on stage
• 2:45 pm – Road to Recovery event
• 3:15 pm – Survivor Lap
• 4:00 pm – 6:15 pm – Various performances on stage
• 7:30 pm – Luminaria Ceremony / Silent Lap
• 8:30 pm – Fight Back / Bell
• 9:00 pm – Last Lap / Closing Ceremonies

Learn More about Relay for Life HERE.  Join the AMS Team and/or Donate HERE.

Fight Back with AMS

We come together as a community to fight back against cancer. Invite your family and friends to attend the event and support you and your fellow Relayers’ fundraising efforts.

Contact [email protected] for more details and please feel free to share the image below.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of March: Bryanna A., Tanya C., Jose M., Hugo J., Ana V., Thomas C., Shamar G., Naphaterie R. and Anton J.

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.

The following nominations demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond and deserves Special Thanks! All winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate & T-Shirt!

Bryanna A., Account Manager (01/30/2017)
HQ Admin, Valencia, CA

I nominate Bryanna for March Employee of the Month because she has great leadership skills and is a hard worker. She goes above and beyond for our clients and really puts in the work. Bryanna is always eager to help any team member if they have questions. We are so lucky to work with her each day because she is always positive even when things get busy here at AMS. Bryanna is someone who really stands out to us. She is always there for the team and gets things done without follow up. Bryanna is very knowledgeable and takes on tasks given to her. When we asked our team members to describe Bryanna this is what they said… Hard Working, Strong, Reliable, Sweet, Patient, Compassionate, An Inspiration, Dedicated, and a Team Player! Bryanna has all these positive traits and so much more! She truly deserves this!

Tanya C., Operations Supervisor (03/14/2016)
HQ Warehouse, Valencia, CA

I nominate Tanya for March Employee of the Month. Recently, the Safety Team held our OSHA Safety class in Spanish for our employees who don’t speak English or have limited English speaking skills. We asked Tanya if she could translate the 4-hour class in Spanish for us and she came through in perfect form. Not only did she translate from Spanish to English, but she did it with such enthusiasm. We are so happy to have her as a part of our Safety Team.

Jose M., Janitorial Custodial (10/05/2020)
WIT, Valencia, CA

I nominate Jose for March Employee of the Month because Jose is a team player and does an amazing job with the tasks at WIT.  He is always willing to help wherever he is needed and is an all-around great AMS employee.

Hugo J., Janitorial Custodial (09/07/2021)
WIL, Valencia, CA

I nominate Hugo for March Employee of the Month. Hugo is awfully good in his tasks. He does them fast and efficient. He always has a positive attitude which spreads across to others. He keeps the areas clean and safe from possible accidents. We appreciate his commitment to his work. No matter what the task is Hugo is always willing to lend a hand. He is always going above and beyond to help any department or anyone in the building with a smile. He is a great asset to the team, and we appreciate him very much!

Ana V., General Warehouse II (01/28/2021)
LIV, Valencia, CA

I nominate Ana for March Employee of the Month because Ana is a very hard worker. She is always on time and is here with a great attitude, helping in other departments and willing to learn new processes to improve herself. She is a great member of our team at LIV! Ana took the lead on a difficult client when we needed someone quickly and she has done an excellent job. She learned everything about the client and quickly trained everyone in the department and now everything runs very smoothly. Ana is always willing to learn more and help in any department whenever she is needed. She always has a great attitude and a smile on her face and says, “don’t worry, I got this.”

Thomas C., General Warehouse II F (04/01/2021)
HAR, Valencia, CA

I nominate Thomas for March Employee of the Month because he has shown me a smile and positive attitude since the day I began at AMS. Thomas is always willing to help, he strives to learn, and goes far beyond in both effort and input. During the Client close-down Thomas displayed initiative and dedication that helped this crew do some amazing things. He is the heart of this team; his energy and positive attitude has an impact on this crew, and we hope to see him continue to grow.

Shamar G., IT Associate (08/08/2016)
New Holland, PA

I nominate Shamar for March Employee of the Month. Shamar is always quick to help resolve issues and goes above by checking in to make sure everything is going ok after assisting with IT issues and on a regular basis. He is always personable when doing his work and he is also willing to explain what the problem is instead of just fixing. Additionally, he is also fun to be around and willing to participate when there are events and such. Thank you, Shamar!

Naphaterie R., Logistics Coordinator (04/19/2017)
New Castle, DE

I nominate Naphaterie for March Employee of the Month. As the new HR Manager, my first week was very busy meeting new people. As I was visiting all the locations on the East, Naphaterie stood out. She actively shares information, sets a positive example for others, made me feel part of the team from day one, and made a point to stop in to say hello when she was in New Holland. Neffy is well respected among the management team as well as the front-line staff. She does what it takes to get it done, even when it is hard and unpredictable. Neffy cares about her staff and her colleagues and puts in the effort to recognize everyone for their contributions. She is doing it right!

Anton J., Receiving Clerk (06/15/2020)
Newark, DE

I nominate Anton for March Employee of the Month. Anton has agreed to transfer from New Castle to Newark and we are excited for him to be here. When we were in New Castle together it was great having him on the receiving team.  Anton has always stayed busy working hard throughout the day. He has brought that same work ethic over to OGL1. Anton never complains he just takes on whatever task is asked of him. If you want an example of a team player, it is Anton. I am thankful to have him as part of the team! AMS appreciates what you do!!

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

One of the most relevant, historic and important global commemorative days is Earth Day – April 22^nd. In a recent blog we spoke about the origins of Earth Day; organized in response to a massive oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara 53 years ago. The sentiment was very strong at the time, to respect the environment and stop the destruction and exploitation of ‘Mother’ Earth.

The environmental movement has continued and grown considerably since that time, and we are very pleased to see that an increasing number of corporations have reached the stage of the B Corporation – a business legally committed to consider the environment a stakeholder in business decisions. AMS Fulfillment is proud to be a B Corporation.

Our AMS Green Team is active, committed, and accomplishing things!! To commemorate Earth Day last year AMS published an Earth Day report that can be read HERE. Much has happened in the past year, and in 2022 we have another Earth Day report for you. Contributing to this report are three Green Team members: Daniel Butera, COO; Samantha Hicks, Senior Program Administrator; and Jeff Pierson, Acct. Manager Client Services.

Update on Carpool –2022 C02 Report

With AMS’ Vanpool program, 14 employees participate in ridesharing, equaling 65 metric tons of C02 which is avoided because of this rideshare program. This may not seem like a big deal to most, but when we look at the big picture, the equivalence of these emissions would have to be counterbalanced by 22.5 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled, 76.9 acres of US forests in one year, and 2,463 incandescent lamps switched to LED’s.

BIG SHOUT TO AMS EMPLOYEES: Mayra C, Maria B, Analida H, Jocelyn G, Reina C, Jazmine A, Maria G, Angie M, Martha D, Destiny S, Abraham T, Emely G, & Adam H.

Update on LEED Interns

We have received four resumes of College of the Canyons Interns, and plan to start Summer and/or Fall of this year! In this program College of the Canyons Interns will partner with the AMS Green Team to identify and promote modern green infrastructure. The interns will help AMS reduce its environmental impact by identifying meaningful operational solutions which balance sustainability concerns with financial profitability. 

Membership in Sustainable Packaging Coalition

AMS Fulfillment is proud to say we are an active member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, whose sole purpose is to change the packaging norms and educate businesses on sustainable packaging. To help our clients with options for sustainable packaging, we are creating a Sustainable Packaging Catalog for them to order sustainable supplies and different options from different companies, with the goal of encouraging them to think more eco-friendly with their products.

Evaluating, Educating & Investigating

Some of the other initiatives that the Green Team is working on consist of evaluating recycling options for both coasts and at all facilities for supplies used as well as personal/employee waste. We are educating ourselves on how we ensure that these materials that are recycled are being done so correctly, so they end up back into the life cycle of reusable raw materials for new packaging and products. 

We’ve launched an internal investigation that includes bringing in third party groups to evaluate us on where we are being wasteful and where we can make changes. We are also evaluating ways to actively help our clients in finding options for more sustainable business practices, including supplies, so they too can contribute to this goal of carbon neutrality.

Learning Center Reusable Materials

The AMS Learning Center is fully paperless, with dry erase name tents and reusable training material. Our caterer for luncheons and events, LaCo Taco, is using cardboard meal treys to replace plastic.

Goal to be carbon neutral by 2023

AMS Fulfillment is proud to say we are underway on an extensive and in-depth analysis of how we can become a greener, more eco-friendly company and reduce and eventually completely offset our carbon footprint.

We are seeking the following certifications: Carbon/Climate Neutral Certification and Green Business Certification.

Other

We have made available Reusable AMS Water Bottles for all Employees, we are communicating with Employees on Green Best Practices at home and at work and we are holding Weekly Green Team Meetings.

** ** **

Key Performance Indicators in Green Warehousing

In global supply chains, warehouses produce environmental pollution mostly from heating, cooling, and lighting. Generally, the bigger the warehouse, the larger the carbon footprint. Interns and Green Team can measure the carbon footprint of their operations by considering key performance indicators: emissions, natural resource use, amount of waste and extent of recycling and reuse. Studying total carbon dioxide emissions, as well as energy consumption, water consumption, and rate of product or material use, will reveal areas where companies can apply green initiatives.

For example, a warehouse with a high electricity bill might discover that alternative lighting sources—like natural light, automatic lights, or other renewable energy options—offer savings. Likewise, the discovery that a warehouse consumes large quantities of water from an unsustainable and expensive natural source might inspire change. By installing water flow reduction mechanisms or a rainwater capture system, warehouses can reduce, offset, or optimize water use.

PDF: Sustainability Among Consumers

Photo credit: Amy Shamblen

Warehouse safety is in the news nowadays as we move closer to an eCommerce world and become more conscious of the people making up the supply chain we depend upon. Warehouse employees are needed, valuable, and deserving of respect and protection. Accidents can happen in warehouses, and employee safety should be a top priority: safety matters.

AMS Fulfillment is proud of our safety record, as it’s one of the best in the industry. A great deal of thought and care, and attention have gone into safety over the years. Back in early 2020 we began a covid safety blog as something of a guide as to precautions that a fulfillment company can take. Today the covid safety measures continue at AMS, including on-campus free vaccine clinics.

But as we know, warehouse safety goes well beyond covid. In our last blog we spoke about OSHA training. This training is essential as it involves employees in understanding safety procedures, spotting hazards, and reporting issues. We have begun doing our OSHA training in both English and Spanish, and that has been a very rewarding effort.  

In this month’s blog Eric Wiseman, Safety and Security Director and Matthew Warholy, Security and Safety Manager have penned an outline of actions to take in an emergency situation.

Emergency Preparedness

When we think of Emergency Preparedness, we should always think of the Before, During and After to keep us safe. These include Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Fires and Earthquakes at our East Coast and West Coast facilities.

These rules can and should be applied at our homes and while we’re out in public as well to keep our families safe and protected.

*The before should include thinking ahead of what to do in case of a natural disaster or fire. What would I do in case there’s an emergency?

*The during should include taking cover and protecting ourselves until the emergency has passed. Waiting until the shaking stops in an earthquake or the tornado has passed.

*The after should be the evacuation. Get out of the building at ANY exit. Don’t walk across the warehouse to the employee entrance. Just get out at any door.

*Each exit should have a list of emergency phone numbers and a map with evacuation meeting points. These maps are also for emergency personnel coming into our buildings to see how the floor plan is laid out.

*Can’t remember your evacuation point? That’s OK. Just walk around the perimeter of the building until you see a crowd forming. It’s natural to want to leave and check on our loved ones. Kids at daycare, grandma, a loved one at home. Just remember to check in and make sure someone gets your name. If we don’t know that you’ve left, we will be searching for you in the warehouse. That could put someone else’s life at risk.

*Remember to take a breath and don’t panic. Think clearly and stay alive!

With April being Earth Month, and April 22^nd being Earth Day, we set out to see what other B Corporations are doing to celebrate and recognize their obligation to the Earth and to their own impact on the environment. A comprehensive Earth Day report from AMS Fulfillment is forthcoming, and in the meantime we have chosen to look into one of the main environmental concerns of B Corporations and of AMS Fulfillment – deforestation.

Readers may recall that in December AMS Fulfillment chose the Rainforest Climate Action Fund as recipient of its holiday donation on behalf of our valued clients. Like many other companies and certainly all B Corporations, we know that everyone who lives and breathes should care about and take action to prevent the exploitation and destruction of the lungs of the Earth – the rainforests.

The bthechange.com newsletter points us to certified B Corporations that are dedicating themselves to the protection of rainforests. The following article introduces readers to a B Corp called Wild + Pine. They have developed a project called Forest B. The same article also covers an advocacy movement to support passage of the Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act. Here’s more info on the FOREST Act.

We hope you will enjoy this interesting information and that the efforts of these B Corps will have a real impact. AMS Fulfillment believes that our future matters, and corporations that take action to prevent negatively impacting the Earth are the successful businesses in a better world. For a B Corp, success is measured not in monetary profit alone, but in the beneficial impact of the business on all who have a stake. When the Earth is a stakeholder in every business, we will see a healed Earth.

Collective Business Climate Action to Support Reforestation

U.S. and Canadian B Corps Tackle Deforestation Through Advocacy and Group Initiatives

“The loss of trees around the world — whether for business use or from wildfires — and their carbon-storage role is a growing contributor to climate change and its escalating impacts. As huge tracts of forests are cleared to make way for farms producing crops and cattle, deforestation is responsible for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Amid growing awareness of the effects of this loss — rising temperature, extreme weather, and other ecological impacts — Certified B Corporations are tapping into the collective nature of the community to help businesses raise awareness of the effects of deforestation and take business climate action to protect forests and other natural areas.”

Read the full article HERE

Most of us are aware that April is Earth Month, and Earth Day is coming up on April 22^nd. Due to the efforts of some long-standing and heroic environmental organizations we have seen the devastating photos of plastic pollution in the oceans and the resulting destruction of marine life. For years the general public has been concerned to the degree that we recycle and look for plastic alternatives. We want to purchase products in biodegradable packaging and sometimes wonder, “Why are they still selling water in plastic bottles… and why are people still buying it?”

Earth Day is one of the reasons for public awareness of dirty air, polluted water and destroyed forests – we know well that it is past time to show respect for the Earth. What was it like when Earth Day began, 53 years ago? It was seriously worse from many angles. The first Earth Day emerged out of a disaster – a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. People were becoming conscious of the utter carelessness of some corporations with regard to the environment. The public was realizing that… “We had better start to care and let business know we care.” From that sentiment came our present Earth Day!

Today things have changed quite a lot, and an inspiring indicator of that change is the B Corporation. The B Corp considers the environment to be a stakeholder in its business decisions, and it is obligated by contract to do so. That is one of the most inspiring features of a B Corporation – purpose before profit. In the past corporations may have found it more profitable to pollute the environment. The B Corporation promises that the environment will be considered with every decision, and profit does not come first. With the B Corp in the lead, perhaps one day soon that bottle of water we want to buy will be packaged in in a container that will degrade in the environment in a healthy manner, and we won’t be forced to pay more for it!

A Fulfillment company like AMS has its own impact on the environment as do all businesses. AMS uses packaging materials, cardboard boxes and other types of disposable items, and it is always on the search for the better and better materials – things that will decompose and if not decompose, be fully recyclable into another useful purpose. This concern for the environment has been evident in the decision-making from the beginning of the company 20 years ago. Today our ‘Green Team’ is consulting with experts and making every effort possible to modify our impact on the environment until AMS Fulfillment is carbon neutral.

In our first blog celebrating Earth Month we find it appropriate to mention some of the ways that other B Corporations are considering the environment.

An article at bthechange.com entitled B Corps Raise the Bar for Business Climate Action, talks about three B Corps: Gaia Herbs, Flow Water, and Legacy Vacation Resorts. Every B Corporation has a story and a purpose. These businesses are inspiring, honest, and dedicated with regard to the Earth. For example, here is a quote from Flow Water:

“This Earth Month we’re raising awareness about the power we all have to make mindful purchases. With our sustainable, plant-based package and sustainably-sourced alkaline spring water you’ll be doing your part for the planet while simultaneously giving your body optimal hydration.”

It is exciting to consider that our wish for a bottle of water in a biodegradable container may be granted by a B Corporation! We encourage you to read the article and see what these B Corporations are doing in recognition of Earth Month.

In April we see a focus on autism and on hiring individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities in World Autism Day. In recognition of this commemorative day, on April 2nd, the following statement was made by the White House:

“On World Autism Awareness Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the more than 5 million Americans who live with autism are able to make the most of their talents and participate fully in our society, and we celebrate the contributions autistic Americans have made to our families, our communities, our Nation, and the world.”

AMS has a long and rewarding history of hiring individuals with disabilities. Looking back on our news reports, we see a strong, cooperative relationship with Pleasantview Industries and other community organizations serving individuals with disabilities. We also see a presence on the Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities; an event recognizing employers of individuals with disabilities at College of the Canyons as well as a continental breakfast event at AMS on behalf of the Autism community.

After that AMS event, then CEO of AMS, Ken Wiseman said, “It has been hard work in years past to place many individuals, but we have seen so much progress. In our experience at AMS, individuals with disabilities are excellent employees, eager to enter the workplace and demonstrate their abilities. All of us have been touched with deep appreciation.”

And we don’t just talk the talk. Our relationship with community organizations, and our commitment to hire individuals with disabilities continues and advances in the present day. We truly value our partnership with Pleasantview Industries, an organization working within the community for many decades. We also partner with New Horizons, a non-profit serving individuals with special needs; Desert Haven, an organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and the US Department of Rehabilitation, which assists people with disabilities in obtaining and retaining employment. In addition to partnering with these excellent organizations, AMS works with Bridge to Home which supports the homeless population in finding employment.

Regarding the AMS focus on diversity in hiring and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, Samantha Hicks, Senior Programs Administrator, stated: “AMS prides itself in our diverse workforce, and welcomes with open arms all members of our community. Through AMS DEI Trainings, and DEI Champions Club, we have a culture that strives to inspire and maintain trust on the basis of ethical decision-making. We treat each other with respect and communicate often and openly to foster collaborative efforts. We appreciate the value of diverse backgrounds, expertise, ideas and incorporate multiple perspectives in decision-making and strategic actions.”

Finally, we would like to mention an article in Business Matters Magazine which points to the benefits of employing people with disabilities and autism… benefits that we at AMS Fulfillment have experienced: “As we recently marked World Autism Day, where people are encouraged to provide opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, I’d particularly like the business community to consider the benefits of employing people with a learning disability, autism spectrum condition or both.”

We recommend reading the full article HERE.

The month of March has been a very special one for B Corporations. The B The Change organization, and many participating B Corporations, including AMS Fulfillment, have been celebrating B Corp Month, getting to know each other, attending training webinars and accomplishing special projects. The organization concluded the celebration by reporting on how all of us B Corps are advocating for the spread of positive impact. AMS Fulfillment is proud to have been included among the businesses featured in their latest publication.

Explaining their choices of companies to feature, the organization stated:

“The broader approach to business success taken at Certified B Corporations means balancing profit with impact on stakeholders such as workers, community members, and the environment. This can play into every business decision, from which company to partner with (do they pay employees a living wage?), to product choices (which packaging has the least environmental impact?), and more. We’re going Behind the B during B Corp Month to celebrate the ways that B Corps are using business as a force for good.” 

The first B Corp featured in their article is called Get Lagos Now, located in Portland, OR. It describes itself as a partnership to support marginalized youths and people who are homeless. This business partners with another Portland business that collects working laptops, tablets and cellphones, refurbishes them and donates them to support people who are homeless in the community. Click HERE to visit their website.

The next B Corp that is featured is one we are familiar with. They have a terrific blog in which they included our own Betty-Lou Wiseman in an article featuring the achievements of women. It’s a Toronto-based marketing agency called 5&Vine that invests in startups and incubating ideas. In the article they talk about The Challenger Brand, which is a new quarterly project that includes releasing a limited-design sustainable T-shirt, with profits used for no-strings grants that go to community organizations. You can visit their website HERE.

Another featured B Corp, Moye White LLP, describes its task as providing resources for climate action and sustainability. Here is a quote from the article: With the knowledge that buildings play a large role in the climate crisis — generating almost 40% of the world’s annual CO2 emissions through operations, material, and construction —Moye White LLP helped develop a collaborative publication that looks to address climate change through changes to the built environment. You can visit their website HERE.

And finally, let’s look at AMS Fulfillment, featured for building a more diverse and knowledgeable workforce and community!!! Below is a quote from the article:

Building a knowledgeable and diverse workforce is a part of the company culture at AMS Fulfillment , which provides fulfillment and distribution services to consumer products companies. The B Corp’s 600 employees — at sites in Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and Delaware — have access to paid personal betterment and professional training during work hours.

 “Long ago, we recognized that success in the workplace for many individuals requires ongoing training programs focused on areas where there are challenges,” CEO Jay Catlin says. “Offering paid courses during work hours allows all of our employees the opportunity for betterment. This has been a major step in equity at AMS.”

Please enjoy the full article HERE, at bthechange.com!

We have enjoyed B Corp Month, connecting with other B Corporations and hearing their fascinating stories.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of February: Stacy J., Rio V., Naruebet P., Henry D., Perla N., Ivan S., Scott B., Nigelee W. and Amber S.!

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.

The following nominations demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond and deserves Special Thanks! All winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate & T-Shirt!

Stacy J., Sr. Account Manager (05/21/2012)
HQ Administration, CA

I Nominate Stacy for February Employee of the Month because… Stacy is an exemplary leader who has shaped the managers on our team. She is patient and makes every mistake a teachable learning experience. She always challenges us in ways that make us better at our job. I want to nominate Stacy because she so deserves the recognition for all the hard work she puts in every day.

Rio V., General Warehouse II (11/17/2021)
HQ Warehouse, CA

I nominate Rio for February Employee of the Month because… This young man has astonished me in the way he works. How he continues to ask questions, learn as much as he can and is always ready to work. He has helped us out in receiving and I have to say he has caught on quickly. The team and I like his work ethic and skills. His desire to learn and do the job right is beyond compare. Rio has a great attitude and always performs great work. He also a huge help in other departments.

Naruebet P., General Warehouse II (11/10/2021)
WIT, CA

I nominate Naruebet for February Employee of the Month because… Naruebet joined us in November and has done a great job learning the different functions of operations. He is dependable and eager to learn. Naruebet is very approachable, open to receiving instructions and taking on new tasks.

Henry D., Shipping Supervisor I (09/13/2021)
WIL, CA

I nominate Henry for February Employee of the Month because… Henry has shown great potential in the short time he has been working at AMS. He always comes in with a positive attitude, prepared for the tasks of the day. He has immediately demonstrated how quick and efficient he can be in all areas. In the last two months, Operations believed in his capabilities and skills, so he was given the opportunity of managing the circulation of four clients. He embraced this and demonstrated that he is the model employee that AMS needs.

Perla N., General Warehouse II (02/25/2022)
LIV, CA

I nominate Perla for February Employee of the month because… although she is our department’s newest addition, she has stepped up and become one of our top performers. She has such a positive attitude and is willing to learn anything and everything.

Ivan S., General Warehouse II F (04/01/2021)
HAR, CA

I nominate Ivan for Employee of the Month. Ivan takes it upon himself to learn all facets of our business. He often helps in all areas, looking for improvement or taking lead for his crew. He is an extremely dedicated employee showing up at 5 a.m. if necessary and is very dependable. No matter the task, Ivan can be counted on to give 110%, ask questions, and goes above and beyond for his crew and our clients.

Scott B., Manager of Technical Devices (05/25/2016)
New Holland, PA

I nominate Scott for February Employee of the Month because… Scott has been my direct report since I joined AMS and has always been available to teach and coach me on processes here whenever I need help. He is always willing to share advice when I cannot figure something out on my own. One thing I like is he will help you find the answers versus doing the work for you. He has an open-door policy for conversations. He is a great example of leadership here at AMS.

Nigelee W., DFC Operator (11/01/2021)
New Castle, DE

I would like to nominate Nigelee (Lee). She joined our team about a year ago from a temp agency and quickly became a very reliable, dependable employee. Lee took the opportunity to convert to full-time status this past November and became a group lead in assembly. She is always at work with a smile on her face and she has a very laid back vibe that is easy to get along with. She does a great job of training new associates on assembly jobs and makes them feel a part of the group. Lee is very versatile when it comes to lending a hand in other departments and is willing to learn new processes. She is also good about coming to me when something is going wrong or she doesn’t fully understand a task. That shows me her motivation to grow within this company and her desire to complete a task to the best of her ability. Lee embodies what we look for in an A-player between her work ethic and her company culture and I am so grateful to have her as a part of our team!

Amber S., Exact Staff, contracted (10/12/2021)
Newark, DE

I nominate Amber for February Employee of the Month because… Amber is an exceptionally hard worker. Her work ethic is contagious, and the team follows her lead. She creates an atmosphere of motivation, and this is what every successful team needs. Keep up the hard work Amber, AMS appreciates what you do!

To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!

March is Women’s History Month; Women’s History Week began March 7th and March 8th was International Women’s Day. A glance at history, and a look around at the world, will tell us why we need a month, a week and a day giving a salute to women.

At history.com we find the following: “Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987.”

We are more than happy to salute the women of AMS – from top executives to the warehouse floor. Every single one has climbed her own mountain and we celebrate the contributions of all. In this writing we will give a special salute to the women in leadership positions at AMS Fulfillment:

Betty-Lou Wiseman, President AMS West, CA; Bobbi Booher, CFO, CA; Carmen Kernek, VP of Human Resources, CA; Kimberly Peszek, VP of Client Services, PA; and the Directors of Client Services, Evelyn Ruiz, CA; Zuleika Gonzales, CA and Maryanne Amalfitano, DE.

During the past month we have seen many published tributes to deserving women. Thoughtful writers made it clear that although we shine the light on the ones at the top, every woman is an achiever. Motherhood is an achievement, supporting family is an achievement, and supporting oneself and the challenges of life is an achievement.

In recognition of the Women at AMS, we contacted the President of AMS West, Betty-Lou; our CFO, Bobbi; Carmen, our VP of Human Resources; and Maryanne and Zuleika, Client Services Directors, asking if they would be willing to tell us what woman in their life, whether historical, personal or professional, inspired and motivated them to achieve. We thank them for telling their stories, offered here below.

** ** **

Betty-Lou Wiseman

The woman who has inspired me to achieve in life overall was my mother, Emma Ashman. Her priority was to take amazing care of her children and husband. She was there for all four of us until we left the nest. Watching her commitment in life to her family made me set high goals for myself to make her proud.

My goal in business was to be a strong leader, impact lives by teaching, to be compassionate, respectful, empathetic, and proud of the people I work with. I knew if I was successful with these qualities I would climb to the top. My mother taught me to be driven and not to ever give up. Making to President of AMS shows I did what it takes.

Not only in business did I set goals but the goal to give the same commitment that she did to our family to my family. The longevity in being married was a goal to match and to bring up your children in a way that makes you proud. I have conquered those being married for 42 years and being very proud of my sons. 

 I miss my mother but can hear her everyday saying how proud she is.

** ** **

Bobbi Booher

I have been extremely fortunate to have had a few mentors and sources of inspiration in both my personal and professional life. I would be hard pressed to call out a single person as being the most “motivational” but there has certainly been a common thread among those I have found to be truly inspirational.They all provided me with the tools and freedom to do and be whatever I set my mind to.

My earliest source of inspiration was my mother. She never tried to make me fit a “mold” of what I was supposed to be, but rather supported the notion that I could do or be whatever I set my mind to so long as I had a plan to get there. She never did any of the work for me and allowed me to hit the bumps in the road that are pivotal to growth and success while still providing that support when needed. That is something that I recall from my youngest memories. 

Along the same lines, my first boss was also an incredible source of inspiration and gave me an opportunity to take on a challenge that on paper didn’t seem like something I could accomplish. After some convincing, providing a road map, and the promise that if it didn’t work out, I’d gladly turn it over to someone “more qualified”, I was given the green light. Once again, I was allowed the independence and the opportunity, while being provided appropriate guidance, but the outcome was in my hands. 

I’ve always been inspired by those that allow me to step outside the “box” and my comfort zone while being there to provide their experience and guidance when needed. While I believe motivation is something that comes from within each of us, there are certainly those special people who truly provide the inspiration to achieve.

** ** **

Carmen Kernek

My Mother and Grandmother have inspired me to strive to be the best at what I do. Both my mother, Josefina Cortez and her mother, Guadalupe Cortez, were immigrants from Mexico.

My grandmother, who my siblings and I affectionally called MamaPita, was widowed when my mother was five years of age, and she left my mother in Mexico, with her sisters, to make a living in Los Angeles, in order to have and provide better opportunities to her daughter, Josefina, my mother. As a mother, I cannot imagine the agony in making this decision and the strength and determination she had to leave her daughter and start fresh in a new country…. But she did. My mother at such a young age, needed to figure life out, without her own mother – again, I can only imagine how tough it was for her. Fast forwarding to several years later…. MamaPita became a seamstress in Los Angeles and sent for my mother so that they could be together again. Through her actions, MamaPita demonstrated the strength and determination that women need in order to be successful in life – to my mother and her seven children (two boys and five girls). 

It is literally with tears in my eyes in recalling the struggles in my personal life and the lives of my mother and grandmother, that I can say with every ounce of me that it is because of these wonderfully strong women…. my mother and grandmother… who demonstrated perseverance, strength and determination, that my siblings and I strive to be better than yesterday… every day.

** ** **

Maryanne Amalfitano

Lori Homsher was a co-worker of mine when I worked at Sheeran Direct Marketing. She was the President of IT and we traveled a lot together. During our travels and at work she explained a lot of technical processes which helped me understand the 3PL world at a different level. She also taught IT security classes and was involved in many business groups. She inspired me to challenge and create goals for myself to further advance my career.

** ** **

Zuleika Gonzales

I have had a lot of strong and important women that have made an impact in my career. I admire their perseverance, and knowledge that they’ve shared along the years. The most important woman that has made an impact in my life is my mother… hardworking, passionate, and committed at anything she does. My family is what is most important to me, and I get that from her. Every day she continues to show her unconditional love, support, and positive energy, and that is just an example that I try to follow with my own family. 

Thank you Betty-Lou, Bobbi, Carmen, Maryanne and Zuleika, and thank you to ALL of the Women at AMS! Power ON!!!

Photo credit: Dakota Corbin

In today’s landscape of multichannel commerce, a supply chain that fires on all cylinders is essential for success. At the heart of this, for any fruitful business, is efficient and effective fulfillment services. This means being able to pick, pack and ship with high degrees of accuracy, efficiency and capacity.

The modern fulfillment center or warehouse should be organized around these elements as the highest priorities, or else your company can and will experience delays and mistakes that hurt your standing with customers.

Pick, pack and ship services might seem simple at first glance. An order comes into the warehouse, a packing list is created and the items are collected off the racks by human workers or robots. Once the items are all gathered, they are prepared for shipping. However, there are many nuances to how these tasks get done.

There are numerous techniques and methods that may be right for your operations and needs. Choosing the ones that are most beneficial for you begins with knowing each one and what type of advantages they provide. With that in mind, here’s an overview of some of the most common and what they mean.

Understanding Picking Processes

There are four basic picking procedures utilized in most fulfillment centers:

1. Piece Picking: This is the most obvious and simplest picking method. It involves an employee taking the packing slip for a single order and grabbing each item on the list one at a time. It’s typically used by smaller businesses that only need to fill a few orders each day and have limited SKUs — so there’s little confusion about which item is which.
2. Batch picking: This method ups the complexity slightly in exchange for greater efficiency with a larger number of orders. In this model, pickers group orders based on where in the warehouse the items are located. This means they don’t have to backtrack to different sections of the facility for each order because multiple orders can be fulfilled from the same general area.
   
   
3. Zone picking: For warehouses and fulfillment centers that cover a lot of real estate, it might make sense to go with zone picking. This involves pickers who stay stationed in a particular zone and only pick items within their zones. Orders are passed from zone to zone until all items are picked. This generally requires a more sophisticated system involving warehouse management software due to the complexity of the system.
   
   
4. Wave picking: Combining elements of the previous two models, wave picking means pickers are still confined to a specific zone. In this case, however, they pick for a batch of orders as opposed to one order at a time. When each wave of orders is completed in a zone, they are moved along to the next in line.

Successful Storage Strategies

Likewise, there are myriad ways to organize your inventory based on your needs and which models work best for your operations. Here are four of the most frequently employed techniques in pick and pack fulfillment centers: 

1. Like with like: In this model, items are stored according to their type. For example, umbrellas of different colors and sizes are grouped on the same shelf. Although this may seem intuitive, it can introduce problems because it increases the chances of the wrong item being picked by accident.
   
   
2. Chaotic: Don’t let the name scare you. This tactic helps improve picking accuracy. Instead of all umbrellas being on the same shelf, each size and/or color is grouped with unrelated items. This means there is a far lesser chance a picker will grab a large blue umbrella when the order is for a small blue umbrella. However, this technique requires the use of a 3PL warehouse management system to help ensure employees don’t have to memorize the layout of your entire facility.
   
   
3. Volume-based: This strategy involves placing items with the highest turnover as close to the packing station as they can be. Those that sell the slowest are placed in the farthest reaches of the floor. This means pickers don’t have to take as many steps over the course of the day and most orders are filled quickly.
   
   
4. Class-based: Related to the volume-based strategy is class-based inventory, where items that share certain qualities are stored. For example, items that require the same packing materials could be grouped so they are all within the same distance of the packing station.

Choosing the Right Partner

Having a fulfillment partner that understands all of these models is critical for your success. AMS Fulfillment provides best-in-class pickup, pack and ship services — thanks to our advanced technology, experienced personnel, scalable facilities and effective inventory control procedures.

If you would like to learn more about everything we can do for you, get in touch today.