NEWSLETTER
BWT CONNECT
As the holiday season approaches, we’re placing a strong emphasis on kindness, safety, and team spirit to support one another through a busy end to the year. In this month’s issue, you’ll find updates on holiday events, tips for practicing safety, and opportunities to give back to the community. Let’s keep the spirit of the season alive through teamwork, gratitude, and growth as we close out the year on a high note.
WHAT'S INSIDE THE ISSUE
Spotlight on Gene Wright
New Castle Location
Fun Fact
Employee of the Month
Birthdays
Thanksgiving in a Bag
Safety First
BWT Work Perks
November Events
Career Corner
Driver of the Year Winner
Employee Feedback
Spotlight on Gene Wright
Senior Vice President of Operations
With over 25 years in global supply chain and manufacturing, Gene Wright is a powerhouse in operations, known for his transformative work across companies of all sizes. He brings expertise in supply chain management, engineering, purchasing, quality assurance, and data-driven decision-making, guiding multiple sites to success in high-stakes turnarounds and strategic sourcing.
Gene’s career began in the United States Air Force, where he built strong leadership foundations. With over 27 years in management roles, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Paine College, an esteemed HBCU, and a Master’s in Engineering Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Now residing in North Carolina, Gene enjoys family time, connecting with his two kids, and gathering with his fraternity brothers from Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc. Through his dedication, Gene continues to make a meaningful impact on our team and operations.
Spotlight on New Castle, Delaware Location Address: 350 Anchor Mill, New Castle, DE 19726
Strategically located within 200 miles of four major ports, our New Castle site is vital to BWT Logistics’ regional operations. Uniquely, it’s the only Clarios location that handles the TIN commodity, adding a valuable dimension to our services and solidifying our role as a trusted logistics provider.
Operational Highlights:
Growth Initiatives: A new SAP project to enhance efficiency by setting up Cores bin locations, keeping operations streamlined and ready for growth.
Safety Focus: Every team member is encouraged to prioritize safety, ensuring a culture where employees go home safely each day.
Daily Operations: Operators are dedicated to safe and efficient loading and unloading, meeting the demands of our high-volume operations with skill and care.
Under the guidance of General Manager Brian Seth, who is known for his dedication to professional and personal team development, New Castle embodies the collaborative spirit of BWT Logistics. Leadership Lunches and open communication channels foster a strong team dynamic.
Team members enjoy working together in this cohesive environment, where they support key Clarios clients, handling cores, exports, imports, parts, fibers, and TIN. Facing recent high volumes of inbound containers, the New Castle team has devised plans to manage workloads with enhanced efficiency, aiming for 100% inventory accuracy and zero safety incidents. With these goals and a dedicated team, New Castle is poised for continued success in the year ahead.
Gene Wright
Job Title: Senior Vice President of Operations
Years with the Company: 2.5
Proudest Accomplishment: Adopting my two kids.
Passion Outside of Work: Volunteering and community involvement. 4.
Smartest Person I Know: Chris Gardner (The Pursuit of Happiness). 5.
Surprising Fact: Former marathon runner invited to try out for the Olympics in the ’90s.
Bucket List: Visit China, explore the Phi Phi Islands, and see Iceland.
Musical Talent: Acoustic guitar player, still practicing. 8.
Favorite Food: Pizza 9.
Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan 10.
Most Interesting Place Visited: Venice, Italy 11.
Favorite Movie: Love Jones 12.
Top Songs: Umi Says by Mos Def, I Smile by Kirk Franklin, Happy by Pharrell Williams 13.
Childhood Dream Job: Archaeologist 14.
Best Advice: “Control what you can; safeguard the rest.” 15.
Currently Learning: How to prioritize myself. 16.
Top Books: The Pivot Year, Let That Sht Go*, Ikigai 17.
Dream Job: Millionaire—no job needed! 18.
Theme Song: Trouble Man by Marvin Gaye 19.
Pet Peeve: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 20.
Favorite Gadget: My cell phone 21.
Cellphone Wallpaper: A photo of my daughter 22.
Interesting Desk Item: My grandfather’s fraternity paddle 23.
Congratulations to Ricky Pope!
Ricky Pope, our Maintenance Manager in Lowell, NC, has been a pillar of strength and dedication since joining us in 2002. Known affectionately as “PaPa Bear” for his unfailing reliability, Ricky consistently goes above and beyond in both his work performance and his support for the entire team. His hands-on, cost-effective approach ensures that all tasks are completed with precision and quality, often providing solutions that enhance efficiency without straining resources. Ricky has been a safety leader, with over 22 years of safe driving and an active role on the safety committee, where he promotes best practices and helps train team members on maintaining a safe work environment.
As a true innovator, Ricky has introduced valuable solutions like partitioned, temperaturecontrolled rooms in our warehouse and specialized racking for cargo, saving our customers time and resources. His attention to detail and willingness to fill in wherever needed have made him an invaluable asset—whether he's managing complex maintenance projects or even jumping into a truck to make deliveries in times of need. Ricky's kindness and dedication extend beyond work hours; he’s the first to lend a hand, helping teammates with personal repairs or showing up late at night with an air compressor to help someone with a flat tire. His remarkable character, constant support, and commitment to excellence make him an exemplary Employee of the Month and a true embodiment of our company’s values.
THANKSGIVING IN A BAG
This holiday season, you can help make a difference by creating a “Thanksgiving in a Bag” for those in need. For under $8, you can assemble a simple, comforting meal with items from Dollar Tree, packaged conveniently in a gallon-sized bag.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8LJ5Rde /
SAFETY FIRST SAFETY VIDEO
Distracted Driving
Key Points
Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction.
Distracted driving significantly increases the risk of a motor vehicle crash.
Distracted driving is preventable—do not multi-task while driving.
Overview
Distracted driving involves any activity that diverts attention from the task of driving, increasing the risk of a crash. There are three main types of distraction:
Visual: Taking your eyes off the road
Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel
Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving
Examples of distracted driving include texting, talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving. Each of these distractions can put you, your passengers, and others on the road in danger.
Impact
Distracted driving affects thousands of Americans each year:
Every day, nine people in the United States are killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. In 2019 alone, over 3,100 people were killed, and approximately 424,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers.
About 1 in 5 people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019 were not in vehicles—they were pedestrians, cyclists, or otherwise outside of vehicles.
BWT WORK PERKS
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Veterans Day
On November 11, we honor and celebrate the sacrifices of our veterans with events and activities across the nation. Here are some ways to participate in Veterans Day commemorations both in-person and online:
National Veterans Day Ceremony: Held annually at Arlington National Cemetery, this ceremony takes place on November 11 and is often live-streamed for viewers across the country.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: Located in Simi Valley, California, the library hosts a Veterans Day celebration with an honor guard, live music, and a Civil War encampment, bringing history to life in tribute to veterans. Local Events: Many cities organize parades and ceremonies. Schools and community organizations may also offer virtual events, including webinars, panel discussions, and online tributes.
Denny’s: Veterans and active-duty military personnel can enjoy a free Original Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s on November 11 from 5 AM to 12 PM with valid military ID or DD214.
2024 Veterans Day Free or Discounted Meals and Services
World Kindness Day
Celebrated worldwide on November 13, World Kindness Day offers a reminder of the power of kindness to bridge divides and foster community. Since its introduction in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, this day has promoted acts of kindness that transcend race, religion, politics, gender, and location, reminding us of our shared humanity. This year, let’s find ways to highlight and celebrate kindness in our communities.
For more ideas on how to spread kindness, explore this guide to seven ways to celebrate World Kindness Day.
Thanksgiving A Time for Gratitude and Giving
Thanksgiving is a time to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the people and moments that make a difference in our lives. However you choose to celebrate the holiday, may this season remind us of the importance of giving back to our communities and supporting those in need. Small acts of kindness, such as sharing a meal or lending a helping hand, can make a significant impact.
TAT WINNERS
TAT Course Completion
We’re thrilled to recognize our Crossett, Arkansas team as the first site to complete the Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) course ahead of the deadline! Their commitment to this important initiative highlights their dedication to safety and social responsibility.
To celebrate their achievement, each team member received a Bluetooth wireless speaker as a reward.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
We are excited to announce that Ronald Marcum has been honored as the NASTC 2024 Driver of the Year! This prestigious award recognizes his exceptional dedication, professionalism, and outstanding contributions to the industry.
Ronald’s commitment to excellence on the road is truly inspiring, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement.
Thank you, Ronald, for setting such a high standard and for being an invaluable part of our team.
CAREER CORNER
Help Us Find Great Talent!
Don’t forget, you can refer your friends and family for our open positions through our career site. If you know someone who would be a great fit for our team, please encourage them to apply using the link below:
Link to Career Site
Your referrals play an important role in helping us find skilled and motivated team members. Thank you for your support!
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