Year End Round Up – Midwest
Para leer este boletín en Español, abra el mensaje en su navegador y seleccione “Español” en el menú de idioma. En su teléfono, desplácese hasta la parte inferior para buscar el menú de idioma y seleccione “Español.”
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Watch a holiday video greeting from CEO Jeff VanderLaan.
Transcripción en Español:
Hola a todos. Soy Jeff VanderLaan, CEO de Kent Companies. Tengo un breve mensaje de Navidad para usted y sus colegas en todo el país. En esta época del año, estamos especialmente agradecidos por las muchas bendiciones que tenemos. Nos tomamos el tiempo para reflexionar sobre el año que nos pasó, y todos los éxitos y grandes logros que hemos tenido juntos como un equipo. Por encima de todo, estoy agradecido por todos los que forman parte de nuestro equipo, y por el arduo trabajo y la dedicación que se necesita todos los días para que seamos exitosos. Esta Navidad, tómese un tiempo para descansar y estar plenamente presente con sus familias y seres queridos. Gracias por todo el año pasado. Prepárate para 2019 … hay grandes cosas por delante. En nombre mío y de mi familia, les deseo a usted y a su familia una muy feliz y feliz Navidad y un feliz año nuevo. Go RED!
The Challenge is ON!
Job site safety starts with simple check points that catch common hazards before they become serious problems.
How do you work safely every day? What simple checks do you perform when you pick up a power tool, climb a ladder or tie-off at heights?
Send us a short video about your easy safety checks. You can qualify to win up to $250 in prizes each week!
The Level UP for Safety Challenge runs now through January 13th. Learn more here!
English: https://www.kentcompanies.com/careers/employee-links/levelupsafety/
Spanish: https://www.kentcompanies.com/careers/employee-links/desafiodeseguridad/
Celebrating Success at the Fall 2018 Make it Happen Event!
All-employee celebrations were hosted in Grand Rapids, Redford, Strasburg, St. Louis and Charlotte within the past few weeks. Congratulations to those who reached service milestones and earned Honor Coins.
Honor Coin – Lamont Hardge, Division 810
Honor Coin – Russell Simmons, Logistics Manager
John VanderLaan – 40 Years of Service
Rex Hart – 30 Years of Service
Kurt McEntaffer, Randy Bergakker – 25 Years of Service
Fredy Martinez, David Martinez, Saul Martinez, Barb Silvis – 15 Years of Service
Sergio Gardiner – 15 Years of Service
Dave McCauley – 15 Years of Service
David Cowley, Jeff French – 10 Years of Service
Ernie Hinderer, retiring after 23 years of service.
5 Years of Service:
Larry Brooks, Matt Brozowski, Chris Carmack, JC Cole, Adam Hawley, Juan Iva Cerda, Blane Lester, Baldo Lopez, Sarah Miller, Antonio Parra, Jesus Parra, Rassie Rector, Phil Shafer, Rick Silvis, Laurel Smitter, Justin Sportel, Ben Valdez Lopez, Matt Visser, Fay Williams
Click here for the Midwest Photo Album on Facebook.
Click here for the Carolinas Photo Album on Facebook.
Operation Santa Delivers Hope in Detroit
“These guys give me hope,” shared one of our “neighbors” in inner-city Detroit.
Hope, gratitude and service took on real meaning as Division 810 dedicated a day to service in Detroit. The team assembled meals and care kits for the homeless living in and around the job sites the crews worked on most frequently.
Over the course of days, and sometimes weeks, the crews got to know the people living on the streets surrounding their job sites. Tim Redwood and Liz Schwendemann collaborated on a project to give back to these “neighbors.” The entire team received the even greater gift of gratitude in return.
Division 110 Delivers the Four Hallmarks
Project: 150 Ottawa – Elevator Shaft
Orion’s Field Operations Manager sent kudos to the crew after an inspection of the main elevator shaft on 150 Ottawa. “The elevator installer found the north side of the shaft to only be out of plumb by 1/8” from top to bottom. The installer also found the south side of the shaft to be out only 5/8” out of plumb from top to bottom. These tolerances are well within a reasonable range. They serve to show the dedication and commitment that Kent Companies has put into ensuring that this project is a success.”
Thank you to Nate Tarte, Spencer Savage, Kevin Perleberg, Matt Visser and your crews for your commitment to quality!
Project: Tommy’s
Elzinga & Volkers’ Field Manager called our team the “cream of the crop.” He shared, “Your site crew at Plainfield led by Jose and Rigo did a tremendous job having the site ready for us when the building arrived. These guys reminded me of the old familiar line regarding the US Postal Service, “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”. The fact that these guys worked through rain and snow and darkness to make our schedule is very much appreciated. The impressive part is that it was done with high quality and smiles on their faces. It is a reflection on Kent’s leadership that these guys look forward to coming to work, even in those conditions. Thanks for the great experience on these projects, I look forward to many more.”
Congratulations to our KCTX ESL Graduates!
Our first group students in the Dallas office graduated an ESL class with flying colors!
Division 310 – Underlayments
Project: Hellenic Senior Living – Elkhart
The Superintendent at Shiel Sexton Company applauded the 310 crew for great work on Hellenic Senior Living. The crew pumped out more than 3,300 bags in two days.
Crew: Kurt Kruithoff, Kasey Kruithoff, Tyler Struble, Jeff Dulyea, Nolan Dickens, Luis Quilantan-Luna, Bishop Lofquist-Arp, and AJ from 3010
Thank you to all of the guys that came out and installed the Gypcrete. Your guys put in some really long days but kept great attitudes throughout. A three-to-four day job was completed in two days. Once the gypcrete was placed, they took the time to clean up their work area and mess so that it looked like they were never even here. The quality, efforts and duration of the work is much appreciated. I look forward to working with Kent Companies on another project.
5th Annual Business Partner Awards
Each year we recognize the customers and vendors whose partnership contributes to our overall success. Congratulations to the following winners across the Midwest!
- First Companies
- Shape Corporation
- Ryan Homes
- Moceri Construction
- High Grade Materials
- EJ Stutzman Inc.
- Redford Building Supply
First Companies: Jeff Baker, Jeff VanderLaan, Craig Baker (Left to Right)
Redford Building Supply: Pino Meloni, Dean Stacer, Gino Ledda (Left to Right)
They will celebrate 40 years in business in April 2019, and we have been purchasing material from them for the last 25 years, possibly longer.
Ryan Homes
New Year…New Programs, Training & Resources for our Team
Send your ideas to ideas@kentcompanies.com. We’re looking for new training topics, suggestions and unique ways to help us all work with more efficiency and focus in the new year.
