Company News and Highlights

June 17, 2017

Congratulations to AMS’ ESL Graduates!

The AMS commitment to retaining, educating, training and advancing employees was established from the start. And yet, for the past three years, AMS has taken its family culture to another level by creating some unique and groundbreaking partnerships with businesses and organizations the community.

Several years ago AMS CEO, Ken Wiseman met with educators and administrators from Santa Clarita’s College of the Canyons (COC) with the aim of establishing an education and job-training partnership that would have a broad benefit. Describing their efforts Ken said, “The business and the college have been working together to explore educational opportunities and funding initiatives.” The AMS-COC partnership is now several years old, and has been a great success.

AMS provides classroom space within one of the AMS buildings; a space that employees have named the “Advance My Skills Learning Center.” Included in the space is a 25-person computer lab. In addition to this classroom, AMS provides books and materials, and offers the classes free of charge. College of the Canyons provides the instructors, coursework and registration of students. This partnership works extremely well as it meets the needs of AMS, the employees, the College and the community.

Among the courses offered is English as a Second Language (ESL 1), and May 2017 is the one-year anniversary of the first ESL course. This course is one that employees have been eager to take advantage of. By studying English through a respected school, without having to leave the workplace, they are more able to write and respond to emails, letters and so on, and possibly pursue more skilled positions at AMS or elsewhere.

Recently a group of AMS employees who had completed their fourth segment of ESL were presented with certificates of achievement at a COC ceremony, attended by more than 300 people. Ken was the guest speaker at this event, where he was able to express his pride in the students and the program and talk about the significance of their achievement.

Ken said, “Although these certificates symbolize a finish line, they really are the starting line for something new and something greater.” He encouraged the students to continue making commitments and working hard to achieve a goal.

Some of the other courses taught in the AMS classroom are the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt course, Microsoft Excel, Clerk Mentoring, Supervisor training, Hazardous Material Handling, CPR, AMS Safety Certification, OSHA Certification, and a first of its kind Apprenticeship Program. The benefit of these classes to AMS is apparent. A large fulfillment company needs trained staff. Well-trained employees are happier, and happier people do a better job for the clients.

Congratulations to all of graduates!

June 16, 2017

AMS Employee Recognition – May 2017

Congratulations to the AMS Employees of the Month for May 2017! We are very grateful for your efforts! Thank you Terrance N., Natalia A., David B., Ramiro R., Marlen L.

Every month the supervisors in our various facilities nominate a team member who has provided outstanding service to the AMS clients. The nominations and comments demonstrate that the individual being recognized deserves to be thanked and appreciated for not only doing a job well, but for caring enough to go above and beyond. Nominations are listed according to the facility that the employee represents. All of the AMS facilities are located in Valencia, CA, City of Santa Clarita.

Terrance N., Account Manager (March 2016)
HQ Administration, 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Terrance has the extremely difficult job of doing collections. He must call customers who are in arrears and ask them to please send payment now. I sit near Terrance and I hear his conversations and I am constantly amazed at his demeanor when speaking with customers. He is always calm, polite and always professional; even when the person the other end of the line is angry he does his very best to calm the situation. He is a true Southern Gentleman (from Louisiana), always addressing the caller as Ma’am or Sir. I have told him many times that in my opinion he’s the perfect person for this, at times, extremely frustrating position. He is always very friendly to everyone on or off the phone. Terrance is an extremely professional and polished representative and a great asset to AMS.

Natalia A., General Warehouse III (April 2014)
HQ Warehouse, 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Natalia is always willing to take on any workload in any job. I have never given her something she could not handle with accuracy and speed. She works very well with the entire team and we depend on her to do the more detailed jobs that require much care and accuracy such as UCC labeling and shipping. Natalia is a hard worker, very intelligent and works in a very efficient way.

David B., General Warehouse II (March 2017)
SCO3: 27801 Avenue Scott

David is a great worker with a great attitude. He is always here, always on time and willing to do whatever is necessary to get the work done. He has recently taken on the responsibility of not only picking his orders, but due the recent spike in orders he has also learned how to scan and ship the orders as well. David is a perfect addition to the team.

Ramiro R., General Warehouse I (July 2011)
WILL/WIT: 28936 Avenue Williams, 28624 Witherspoon Parkway

Ramiro is a BEAST when it comes to unloading containers or loading trailers. He always has a positive attitude and gets his tasks done quickly and accurately. Ramiro is always willing to come in early, stay late, or work the weekend if needed. He is a true team player helping out any area or client that is in need of assistance. No matter what building or client he is helping with or what task he is assigned we can always count on Ramiro to get any job done.

Marlen L., Inventory Clerk (August 2016)
IND1: 28220 Industry Drive

Marlen is an excellent worker. She has 100% commitment to do the job in the correct and efficient way. Without her help we would not have been able to perform the tasks that were assigned to her in previous months and bring this warehouse into great shape. She can easily be trained to be one of the leaders in the company. Marlen is respectful to all people and can guide others in any tasks knowing the job will be finished in a good way. We have a diamond in her!

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As you can see from the supervisor comments, AMS has nurtured a culture that depends upon and places great value in employees. We call it an ‘AMS Family’ culture that takes note of and cares about the people who work here, their wellbeing, and their job satisfaction. No matter which department they work in, which task they do, or which location we find them in, our employees are the reason that AMS succeeds so well and continues to grow.

Employees of the Month recognition is meant to be a sincere Thank You from the entire AMS Fulfillment Family! You are the reason for our success!

June 1, 2017

Employees of the Month: AMS April 2017

Congratulations to the AMS Employees of the Month for April 2017! We are very pleased and proud to recognize Daniel C., Rebecca A., Manuel M., Janet R., and Carlos G.

AMS is a large fulfillment company, with several facilities and several hundred employees, located in Valencia, CA, City of Santa Clarita. Due to our many educational and community service efforts, we are known and recognized within the community as a company that cares. Our employees are the reason for this reputation, and a very big part of our endeavor to serve others through entry-level employment and training.

Every month the supervisors at our facilities nominate individuals who are doing an outstanding job for the clients. These nominations and supervisor comments demonstrate that the individual being recognized has not only been noticed, but has served the clients, the company and the community in a way that is exemplary!

Thank You to the following members of the AMS Family!

Daniel C., IT (March 2015)
HQ Office: 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Daniel is a pleasure to work with. He always responds quickly to requests and follows up to make sure things are working correctly afterward. He brings a great attitude to work every day and works very hard to take care of problems. Daniel goes above and beyond his call of duty! We know that he can be busy and a bit overwhelmed but he manages to respond to our requests in a professional manner. Daniel is always very responsive and helpful with a friendly demeanor when interacting with his colleagues. He has a very positive attitude and is willing to take on projects and see them to completion. He uploaded software to 26 computers in the AMS Learning Center on short notice and came in early the next morning to ensure that all the computers were operating correctly and trouble-shooting any login in or software problems. Well Done Daniel – great employee!!

Rebecca A., Clerk II-Returns (March 2017)
HQ Warehouse: 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Rebecca (Becky) is a go-to person. She came on board from Exact Staff and if I could have nominated her at that time I would have. She demonstrates exemplary performance. She is detailed in all her assignments and has the willingness to exercise leadership. Becky takes initiative, accepts all challenges and carries out additional responsibilities. Her attitude is bar none. She is a key team player in the HQ returns department and she is a great and fun co-worker who takes pride in her work. She is always willing to help out, gets her job done in the most efficient way, and is always on time and ready to do her job. I decided to nominate Becky because she is always looking to help others the best way she can. She’s a positive person to have in our department and a hard working young lady. I came in new to the department and she has been a great help to me without hesitation. Becky motivates others with her professionalism and dedication to all she does. I am very proud to have her on the returns team. She enjoys helping others in the various departments and gets along with others. I look forward to watching Becky grow at AMS.

Manuel M., General Warehouse II-Forklift (July 2016)
SCO3: 27801 Avenue Scott

Manuel is always very responsive when we need to complete a project, and he clearly derives enjoyment from his duties and his enthusiasm. Manuel has contributed to the fun working atmosphere in our team. He is always on time, a hard worker, and we’re glad to have Manuel in the Receiving/Inventory team. No matter how difficult the assignment is, he is truly a pleasure to have on our team. Every day Manuel comes to work with a smile and a positive attitude, and it is a pleasure to nominate him as one of the employees of the month.

Janet R., Lead I-Shipping (February 2016)
WIL/WIT2: 28624 Witherspoon Parkway and 28936 Ave Williams

Janet has done an excellent job with her duties, especially recently. We have had an abundance of ticketing, labeling and various VAS jobs in which she has been tracking productivity, communicating all issues and timelines and making sure the jobs are completed in time. Janet is a dedicated, hard working and responsible employee, and she deserves to be nominated.

Carlos G., Operations Manager (January 2017)
IND1: 28220 Industry Drive

I would like to nominate Carlos as our candidate for employees of the month recognition. He has been here a short time and has only shown positive leadership qualities. He is professional to everyone. Carlos is so passionate about his work and is always there to help in any situation. I really enjoy working with him and know I can always count on him to be 100% onboard the AMS Team!

No matter which department they work in, which task they do, or which location we find them in, our outstanding employees are the reason that AMS succeeds so well and continues to grow. Employees of the Month recognition is meant to be a sincere Thank You from the entire AMS Fulfillment Family! You are the reason for our success!

May 2, 2017

AMS Employees of the Month for March 2017

Congratulations to the AMS Employees of the Month for March! We are very grateful to these outstanding members of our corporate family! Thank you Margie M., Hector E., Jerry S., Francisco R., William C.

In the fulfillment industry employees are much more than human resources. They directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. AMS Fulfillment is a large company with a number of facilities and several hundred employees. But even though we are large, it’s not difficult for us to notice individuals and their achievements. In fact, we make a point of it.

Each month the supervisors within AMS’ Valencia CA facilities nominate an employee who has provided outstanding service to the clients. The nominations and supervisor comments demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond, and deserves Special Thanks!

It’s our pleasure to recognize the following Employees of the Month:

Margie M., Executive Assistant (April 2011)
HQ Administration, 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Margie continues to face every day with a smile and a willingness to take on every challenge that is thrown her way. Our company is actively involved in the community, and she is always there to help with correspondences, meeting scheduling and so on. Margie always also assists a lot with the tracking of client and visitor meetings and lunches. She produces certificates for Employee of the Month, safety badges and other special honors. Margie also handles calls and appointment setting for Jay and Ken. People repeatedly pass on to management just how friendly and professional she is at all times.

Hector E., Returns Supervisor (January 2015)
HQ Warehouse, 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Hector has improved the returns department regarding accuracy, organization, and professionalism. As a supervisor, he demonstrates strong leadership while making the team feel like family. Hector is a great supervisor with positive attitude, and he is a big help.

Jerry S., General Warehouse II (July 2016)
SCO3: 27801 Avenue Scott

Jerry has massively improved since his first day in the department. We never have issues with orders being incomplete or units being miss-picked. Jerry is always on time and ready to work at the start of the day and he always has a great attitude no matter what is going on. He helps out his fellow employees without being asked.

Francisco R., General Warehouse II- F (November 2015)
WIT2/WIL1: 28624 Witherspoon Parkway & 28936 Avenue Williams

Francisco is always willing to help out with whatever is needed. It doesn’t matter if it is his home department or if he is helping out with other clients, he always gives 100%. He comes to work on time, every day ready to get whatever is asked of him done. He is always willing to come in early/stay late/ or even work on the weekends to help out. Francisco’s dedication, impeccable attendance, and attention to detail are just a few things that make him an asset here at AMS.

William C., Inventory Clerk I (December 2016)
IND1: 28220 Industry Drive

William is a great worker, very dedicated to the job and always doing the correct things in order to get the job done. He follows procedures and is always looking for a new method to improve safety, performance and time. He is an excellent team worker. William wants to learn new procedures and tasks for the good of the company.

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Whether these outstanding employees are part of the management team, client services, technology, accounting, fulfillment operations, facilities, the warehouse team, taking inventory, answering the phone, training people, making decisions, doing payroll… they are the reason that AMS succeeds so well and continues to grow.

Employees of the Month recognition is offered as a sincere Thank You from the AMS Fulfillment Family!

May 2, 2017

Hazmat Safety Training Begins at AMS

Safety and security are bound to be priorities in a company like AMS, which operates warehouses containing the equivalent of 30 football fields of consumer products! Recently the training of employees in safety and security has been expanded under the direction of Steve Perez, Manager of Security/Safety.

In recognition of the importance of training in all matters where safety is concerned, a new Hazmat course has been added to the training schedule.

When asked about employee training in general, Steve explained that although AMS has a great safety record, there is a lot of space to keep safe, equipment to become aware of, conveyor belt systems, pallets and forklifts, sharp edges, various carts in movement, and numerous places where carelessness or inattention could lead to a serious safety concern. The additional concern that is now being addressed is recognition of hazardous materials and procedures to use when handling and shipping such materials.

AMS does not commonly store and ship hazardous materials, and yet, in an effort to assure the full safety of employees and the public, management determined that employees should be trained on how to meet the standards of certification for materials that might be considered hazardous, and how to recognize such materials.

The standards for Hazmat training in the US have been established by the Department of Transportation (DOT), and AMS uses these standards in their training program.

Some of the information that employees receive in training can include how to identify hazardous material and define it, reporting requirements, how to determine the hazard class and select packaging and labeling, how to segregate, load, block and brace hazardous material and so on. Transportation of a hazardous material in commerce includes movement, loading, unloading and storage during transport, so training must teach how to transport by air, rail, vessel and motor vehicle.

Also included in training is emergency response information, self-protection measures and accident prevention methods and procedures. The goal is awareness and familiarization training designed to provide familiarity with DOT regulations for shippers, transporters and manufacturers. In essence, although contact with hazardous materials is unlikely, for the protection, safety and security of AMS employees and the public, this function-specific training for the AMS warehouse employees is taking place.

Steve Perez spoke about the likelihood of AMS employees encountering hazardous materials, and the reason for Hazmat training, saying, “At AMS we do handle materials that require certification. Even though these materials might not be considered truly hazardous, their handling and shipping requires training.”

The safety and security record at AMS is top notch, and intentionally so, for the protection of both employees and clients. Congratulations to the employees for their successful achievement of Hazmat training.

April 14, 2017

AMS CEO Undertakes Climb to Fight Cancer

Community service has been at the forefront of the personal life of AMS CEO Ken Wiseman for many years. There is a long list of volunteer positions he has held including Chair of the Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, six years as president of the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation, 11 years on the Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team, Board member of the SCVEDC and Member of the SCV Homeless Coalition.

AMS has created a unique corporate culture, with service to family and community being nurtured in many ways since opening our doors for business. We were proud indeed when our CEO received recognition from The Signal as #1 most influential Business Leader in Santa Clarita Valley in 2016 in their listing of “Top 51 Business Leaders.”

Ken has led the company into utilizing a multitude of entry-level positions to help individuals from many parts of the community find entry and reentry into the workforce. AMS seeks out challenged and motivated individuals, provides employability skills training and mentoring opportunities, and prepares these employees for higher paid jobs. In addition, AMS has undertaken a groundbreaking educational effort in alliance with College of the Canyons, offering free classes to employees and the community within two dedicated AMS classroom spaces, one being a new 25-person computer lab.

Once again, with a great deal of pride in our CEO, we ask the community to support him and his son in an admirable effort to serve through personal effort. The following is Ken Wiseman’s message to the public:

Dear friends and associates,

To raise funds for cancer research, my son Eric and I have embraced the Fred Hutch Cancer Research challenge to climb Mount Hood as a father and son team June 10-11, joining other associates of mine from Los Angeles County Sheriff Search & Rescue Teams, of which I am a volunteer. Our group is hoping to raise $25,000 to support Fred Hutch Cancer Research.

Ken is CEO, and son Eric is an Operation’s Manager at AMS Fulfillment. Outside their careers, Ken is President of the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation, and a 12-year volunteer with the SCV Search & Rescue Team. This will be Ken’s 3rd climb to raise money for Cancer research, and Eric’s 2nd.

Why We Are Doing This

Along with the other Search & Rescue team members on this trip, we are raising funds to address the challenge that every day faces individuals who are diagnosed with Cancer. We hope a cure is within our reach.

Almost 11 years ago Ken reached the summit of Mount Rainier and proudly flew the prayer flag that he had carried to the top. Ken and Eric also climbed Mount Rainier last year. Between the two climbs and the combined efforts of the team that climbed, they raised over $50,000 for cancer research.

At the time of Ken’s first climb, his sister Lauren was battling Breast Cancer. We are grateful to say that Lauren has been in remission since that time and is doing well. With much progress in breast cancer treatments, many have put cancer behind them, but others have not had such blessed recoveries.

Like many challenges, the training, the commitment, and the resolve to accomplish are best undertaken when the rewards benefit others. Such is the nature of this venture, and the reason we have once again joined The Fred-Hutch Climbing Challenge. May our victory on the mountain play some small part in the more outstanding one that can be achieved through a cure for cancer.

Please Send a Gift

You can make a difference. Your support, perhaps the names you share with us to place on our prayer flag, and the stories many of you will share, all reinforce our mission. Please click on this link to give to the “Climb to Fight Cancer.” Every gift helps!

Kindest regards,

Ken & Eric Wiseman

March 29, 2017

The Importance of the Twin Ports

Essential to AMS Fulfillment are the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Nearly half of the incoming containers entering the United States come into the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. These two ports, referred to as the Twin Ports, are the largest in the United States but not the largest in the world. Compared to other ports in the world, they are the 10th largest.

AMS Fulfillment is strategically located near the ports in order to provide an advantage to our clients, especially those engaged in global commerce.

Right now the news from the Twin Ports is good. The Port of Los Angeles handled more than 8.8 million containers of cargo in 2016, setting an all-time record for all ports in the Western Hemisphere. Also in the news is the 2017 Spring forecast of double-digit US import growth. Third on the list, the new US Commerce Secretary also owns a shipping line, and people are wondering how that will affect the maritime industry. We haven’t heard predictions as yet.

AMS pays attention to news from the ports as fulfillment involves being in the middle, between the manufacturer and the consumer, directly impacted by the circumstances and management of the Twin Ports.

There is no need for consumers to contemplate the millions of shipping containers in constant motion around the globe, carrying all kinds of things they use. In most cases, people order or buy products without giving a second thought as to how this product will travel from the place of origin to their local store or their home, or how many companies and individuals might be involved in that travel. They will take an interest, though, if that travel slows down and their favorite product isn’t on the shelf or the item they ordered doesn’t arrive at the front door.

Why would the product not arrive? Well, like anything that moves, ports can be affected by circumstances, some over which they have little control. They can suffer slow-downs, get jammed up, products won’t get unloaded, or containers might sit in the port for a long time, there might be strikes that affect the flow… so many things are possible.

If the ports are bottlenecked or there’s a strike AMS, the clients, and the consumers will feel the pain. The flow of port traffic, port efficiency, the quick resolution of strikes, such as the trucking strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach a few years ago, are of major concern.

We have seen these world-renowned Twin Ports grow over the past few years as they are pressed to meet the demands of a growing market. Looking at the Spring season, as we then head into peak season, this growth is not slowing, and in fact, impressive growth is expected this year.

The Twin Ports provide a great deal of strength to the Southern California economy, of which we are a part, so AMS is quite pleased to see that the ports are improving infrastructure, bringing new projects online, and handling an increasing market.

For more information on how AMS’ expertise can benefit you, please contact John Bevacqua at 661-775-0611 or email: [email protected].

March 13, 2017

Thank You! February 2017 Employees of the Month

Congratulations to the AMS Employees of the Month for February 2017! We are very grateful to these outstanding members of our corporate family! Thank you Veronica A., Steve D., Marquette J., Jose D., Mariela G. and Cindy R.

AMS has nurtured a corporate family culture from the beginning and to this day we value a close environment that takes note of and cares about the people who work here, their wellbeing, and their job satisfaction. With sincere appreciation, we recognize…

Veronica A., Account Support (November 2011)
HQ Office: 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Veronica is a very hard worker. She is quiet and keeps to herself but goes above and beyond to make sure the job gets done. She’s a very low maintenance worker and is such a pleasure to work with. Veronica is focused and dedicated to doing a good job for her team and the accounts that she works with. She takes notes and follows up when needed to make sure all answers are provided. On top of doing a great job in client services, she always has a positive attitude and treats everyone with respect. Veronica is a very nice person who is always working diligently with others to get the job done. She stays on top of her work so the job gets done right and deadlines are met. She has a positive attitude and doesn’t bring her problems from home to work. Overall, Veronica is a great team player.

Steve D., Inventory Manager (September 2012)
HQ Warehouse: 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Steve is always available to answer questions and help solve problems. You can talk with him about any concerns that may arise during the workday. He listens to the members of his team, has a great attitude, is always cheerful and has a good sense of humor. Steve makes his team members really feel like members of a corporate family. The department knows that they can count on him at any time; he will always be there.

Marquette J., General Warehouse (July 2016)
SCO3: 27801 Avenue Scott

Marquette is a very hard worker and has taken on duties that are beyond his job description. He is willing to come in early and stay late when needed without questions and he continues to learn more and more things to get the job done. The department can count on him to load all freight as well, and he does it accurately.

Jose D., Lead (July 2007)
WILL: 28936 Avenue Williams

Jose has been a wonderful addition to the team. We never have to worry about his job not getting done. He is dedicated and will stay until every piece of work is done. He always shares ideas and techniques on every area he’s assigned to. The team wouldn’t be as effective without him.

Mariela G., Lead (January 2017)
IND1: 28220 Industry Drive

Mariela has gone above and beyond on all of the tasks that have been given to her. She gets along well with others and always has a positive attitude. She is eager and willing to learn, and a model employee to have.

Cindy R., General Warehouse (October 2016)
WIT: 28624 Witherspoon Parkway

Cindy is one of the newest members of our team and she has shown an excellent work ethic. Cindy is a dependable employee and a pleasure to work with.

Whether part of the management team, client services, technology, accounting, fulfillment operations, facilities, the warehouse team, taking inventory, answering the phone, training people, making decisions, doing payroll… our employees are our corporate family, and they are the reason for our success. Employees of the Month recognition is meant to be a sincere Thank You from everyone at AMS!

March 7, 2017

AMS Begins Companywide Safety Training

AMS has enjoyed an excellent record of safety within their sprawling warehouses, handled by a Safety Committee for each building. Members of the committee are tasked with walking the warehouse floor to monitor concerns, and meeting monthly to discuss and recommend improvements. For two years AMS has utilized the Safety Committee method of monitoring, which includes an audit walk-through of each facility every week.

While the Safety Committee has served AMS well, several months ago the decision was made to train every employee on the standard of cleanliness and safety awareness that all employees should have when working in the warehouse. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards are being used as a foundation for this training.

The first five-week, five-person class began in the fourth quarter of 2016, and the 4th class of five has just recently graduated. Steve Perez, Manager of Security/Safety, had this to say about AMS’ first intensive course to train all employees in safety. He explained how the program began and how it is progressing:

“We value every employee’s safety and security as we value our own. Even though AMS’ record is very good, management decided to make it even better by extending the training to every employee, including those who may not regularly work in one of our warehouses. More than 30 people have gone through the program since we began, and they have gained extensive knowledge on how to identify and report concerns and hazards. We plan to achieve full safety training for all warehouse employees.”

With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and healthful working conditions for private and public sector employees. OSHA sets and enforces safety standards and also provides training, outreach, education and assistance. OSHA is part of the United States Department of Labor.

For the new, companywide safety training, AMS has based it’s program on OSHA’s comprehensive guidelines. For this course, AMS selects five employees at a time, and trains these employees in five of AMS’ warehouse locations. The goal of the AMS program is for every employee to graduate. The training takes place on the warehouse floor, utilizing audit and compliance directives. The classes are concluded with testing taking place in the new Advance My Skills Learning Center.

The weekly audits are led by CEO Ken Wiseman, who through sharing a series of real life examples and discoveries during audits, tries to convey not only a safety inspection, but an opportunity to convey the culture of AMS where employees are empowered to ‘see a problem and speak up’.

Ken said, “We discovered that many employees, particularly new employees, have been in work environments where their concerns were not valued, and they felt their jobs were in jeopardy for reporting issues. For this reason, I lead the audits, as I want our team to hear first-hand that we don’t tolerate safety issues, lunchrooms, bathrooms, or facilities in general that are not well kept, and work areas that are inefficient or not ergonomically designed. Ever since we started these weekly audits, our employees are speaking up. It’s the most fun I have each week in working with the audit teams.”

Safety and security issues at AMS are similar to any you would find in a large warehouse. With the equivalent of 30 football fields of consumer products, there is a lot of space to keep safe and efficient. There is equipment to become aware of; there are conveyor belt systems, pallets and forklifts, sharp edges, various carts in movement, and numerous places where carelessness or inattention could lead to a serious safety concern.

The intention of the OSHA-based training is the improvement and advancement of knowledge, and the empowerment of AMS employees. We consider pro-active prevention of any accidents or injuries on the job to be our responsibility.

Congratulations to all Graduates of the AMS Safety Training!

March 6, 2017

AMS Classroom Now Available to SCV Community

AMS Fulfillment has long been committed to uplifting the community in one manner or another. With its massive warehouses, kept busy with shipping and receiving, assembling, picking and packing consumer goods, AMS hires a large number of entry-level employees. Knowing there are many individuals who need employment but may not have the basic skills to enter the workforce, AMS has, for several years, offered training programs in a fully equipped classroom space within their headquarter facility.

During an interview with AMS CEO Ken Wiseman, the question was asked: How did the AMS focus on training begin? Ken revealed the origins of the partnership with College of the Canyons (COC), saying, “Several years ago I attended a Business Alliance meeting at the COC where we engaged in a discussion on how the college could help local businesses. I told the group that it had been difficult to be fully aware of all of their opportunities while also correlating the opportunities with the educational needs of AMS, and I asked if there were college representatives who could come out and meet with us to explore how the business and the college could work together. I called it giving them a ‘license to hunt’!”

Ken said that within a few days of that first meeting, a number of persons in senior leadership at COC arrived at AMS, and from that time forward, the business and the college have been working together to explore educational opportunities and funding initiatives. We now know that was the beginning of a groundbreaking partnership that is a model for other businesses and colleges. Courses were soon offered at AMS as the idea took on life.

It soon became apparent that AMS needed to designate a specific room for training and education, so the company moved forward to design and fully furnish a classroom space. Proud employees took part in naming the classroom the Advance My Skills Learning Center. The ‘classroom at work’ idea was successful from the very beginning due to its convenience for employees and members of the community. Today the AMS Learning Center is the hub of a great deal of beneficial activity with students learning at a college level right on the AMS campus… all at no cost to the student!

The first classes were established to teach the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt course, which conveys a business management philosophy that is meant to improve the efficiency of a company. Soon after, AMS and COC began other courses: English as a Second Language, Microsoft Excel, Clerk Mentoring, and finally, a first of its kind Apprenticeship program; all of these in partnership with COC, and all classes open to the public as well as AMS employees.

Recently AMS added a 25-person computer lab as an additional learning center space. With regard to the computer lab, AMS CEO, Ken Wiseman indicated that the lab will soon be made available for lease to other SCV businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Ken said, “The computer lab is a great benefit, and nowadays a necessity in educational programs. Logistics is technology driven, and computers and hand-held devices are key to efficiency. Our classroom allows groups of employees to explore training and new technology updates together.”

The benefit of the classroom to the community was underlined recently when fifty top educators from around the state toured the AMS educational facility. One of the many conversations for Ken was with the head of Goodwill Southern California. They discussed additional partnership opportunities that will enable AMS to expand the promise of employment to even more individuals from communities that are underserved.

With the AMS facility available for lease, SCV community groups, other businesses, churches and organizations will have the opportunity to hold one-time events or ongoing classes in a well equipped, convenient and nearby location: 28624 Witherspoon Parkway in Valencia.

In advancing education and training opportunities, the community benefits, the company benefits, the social service organizations succeed, and the people who have been looking for a chance to prove what they can do for themselves and their families find that the door of opportunity is open.

We invite businesses, organizations and community groups to call us and arrange a tour of the Advance My Skills Learning Center. Please contact AMS at 661-775-0611 for more information.

March 1, 2017

AMS Thanks January 2017 Employees of the Month

Congratulations to the AMS Employees of the Month for January, 2017! We are very pleased to recognize Antwan T., Guadalupe G., Carlos M., Melanie M., Yesenia P., and Ciera A.

In the fulfillment industry, employees are much more than human resources. They directly serve the company’s clients and their daily efforts are vital to the growth and success of the business. AMS Fulfillment is a large company with a number of facilities and several hundred employees. One might assume that in such an expanded environment it’s difficult to notice individuals and their achievements. But AMS makes it a point to notice and care about the individual employees, their well-being, and their job satisfaction.

Each month the supervisors within AMS’ Valencia, CA facilities nominate an employee who has provided outstanding service to the clients. The nominations and supervisor comments demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond, and deserves Special Thanks!

AMS offers a resounding “Thank You” to the following Employees of the Month:

Antwan T., Account Support (2012)
HQ Administration: 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Antwan is what we call an amazing “worker bee”. He has job duties that are extremely important to our business and he gets them done daily. We never have to worry about his job not getting done because he is so dedicated he will stay till every piece of work is finished. Antwan is Mike’s “right hand man”. He is our quiet working machine in the Client Service Department.

Guadalupe G., General Warehouse (2013)
HQ Warehouse: 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Guadalupe is a great worker. She always helps out where needed, and is always on time. We appreciate her positive vibe and the way she is friendly with everyone. Guadalupe is responsible and takes her job seriously. She is fun, friendly and enthusiastic, respectful and nice. Guadalupe is now as “Lupita”… she is very productive and always focused on whatever task she may have. Always on time, willing to stay to get the job done, Guadalupe is there to help everyone.

Carlos M., General Warehouse (2007)
SCO3: 27801 Avenue Scott

Carlos recently rejoined the SCO3 inventory/receiving team and has made a great impact. He has taken the lead on teaching the team how to be more organized and efficient. He has also been a great help with our recent physical inventories. It is great having Carlos as part of the team.

Melanie M., General Warehouse (2015)
WIL1: 28936 Avenue Williams

Melanie is a good employee who never hesitates to take on responsibility or hold a more responsible position. She is also ready to work beyond the call of duty in order to meet goals or to solve problems; even if the job in discussion is not one of the regular work assignments that she does. She quickly adjusts herself to a new environment and is always ready and willing to learn new things in order to perform at her best.

Yesenia P., Assistant Operations Manager (2005)
IND1: 28220 Industry Drive

What we normally see in Yesenia is long hours, complete understanding of the daily operation, and passion for this company and the clients she is responsible for. Yesenia has a winning mindset and is the individual the client services group calls upon for the critical business assignments. To add to Yesenia’s tool box is… TEAMWORK. For the past couple of months she has been focused on working together to make our team successful. She seeks out and shares information with the new team and continues to instruct the new management team on system and operational processes.

Ciera A., General Warehouse (2016)
WIT2: 28624 Witherspoon Parkway

Ciera has been a wonderful addition to our team. In the short time she has been here she has made an amazing impact on our overall productivity and accuracy. Ciera is always up for any challenge we have. Whether it is unloading containers, getting product labeled and prepped to ship, or floor loading trailers, Ciera has a positive attitude and always jumps right in doing whatever is needed. Her ‘can do’ attitude and drive to get tasks completed accurately and quickly both inspires and motives the team. We are lucky to have found someone as dedicated and driven as Ciera.

Employees of the Month recognition is offered as a sincere Thank You from the AMS Fulfillment Family!

February 7, 2017

AMS and COC Creating ‘Great Opportunity’

There’s something going on that the people in and near Santa Clarita Valley need to know about, as it is the very definition of a Great Opportunity! Due to the groundbreaking collaboration between College of the Canyons (COC) and AMS Fulfillment (AMS) there is increasing opportunity for the underserved workforce of individuals who need a good job but may not be experienced or well trained enough to get that job.

Late in 2016 SCV News reported on an innovative apprenticeship program that will offer students the opportunity to earn while they learn. In the news report, COC announced their partnership program with AMS, beginning in January 2017, in which 13 apprenticeships in warehousing and shipping would be offered. This innovative program is the first of its kind in California between a college and an employer.

Recently the collaboration took another step ahead. Fifty top educators from around the state were invited to attend a contract education conference at COC in order to discuss how community colleges can provide customized training for local companies. The group included representatives from Goodwill Southern California and representatives from the California Chancellors Office in Sacramento. The highlight of the conference was a tour of the AMS educational facility, led by AMS CEO, Ken Wiseman.

Wiseman introduced the educators to the classroom space at AMS, dedicated several years ago, and he gave a presentation on the successful efforts of AMS to utilize this educational space in cooperation with COC. He then responded to questions from around the state regarding AMS’ efforts to recruit and employ individuals from underserved populations and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Those in attendance were greatly impressed by the learning center, enjoying the quotes written on a wall by AMS employees who have benefitted from the educational programs. One of the attendees stated they had never seen a company, such as AMS, that provides workplace opportunities to those in need. During the event, Wiseman was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from COC for his support of the AMS/COC apprenticeship program.

One of the many beneficial conversations for Wiseman was with the head of Goodwill Southern California. They discussed additional partnership opportunities that will enable AMS to expand the promise of employment to additional underserved populations. Regarding the event and the opportunities being created, Wiseman said, “What people need to know is that someone believes in them. We do, and hopefully this program will help our apprentices believe in themselves.

Adrineh Terantonians, Director of Workforce & Career Development Operations at Goodwill, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities ahead: “It was my honor and privilege to visit such an extraordinary organization and we are looking forward to working with them moving forward and celebrating their achievements.”

Terantonians went on the praise the AMS leadership: “AMS Fulfillment leaders Ken Wiseman and Jay Catlin are Champions of Change, as John Maxwell said ‘Everything rises and falls on leadership.’ AMS Fulfillment is empowering their employees, recognizing their efforts and truly enabling them by providing all the resources for advancement.”

The apprenticeship collaboration between AMS and COC is celebrated as a groundbreaking and successful effort, offering hope of many more partnerships in the future. The intention of the individuals involved has been clear and praiseworthy: to serve the community by offering both employment and job-related education.

Jeffrey Forrest, VP of Economic and Workforce Development at COC, sums it up well: “Ken Wiseman and the wonderful employees at AMS Fulfillment embody the true meaning of diversity, equity and inclusion. College of the Canyons is proud to serve as a partner with AMS Fulfillment in creating opportunities for members of the community, regardless of background. We salute the entire AMS Fulfillment family for their generosity, and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

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