High Spirit
Thank You
for
Jeremy
Rick
Liz
Lisa
Greg
Randy
Carolyne
Rhonda
Mike
Aidalis
Mike
Michelle
Laurie
David
Dave
Jane
Melvin
Elaine
Kelly
Laurie
John
Robin
Building A Culture Of Health
Research tells us that 70 percent of all poor health is preventable, and 40 percent of all healthcare expenses in the United States stem from preventable chronic illnesses. These are illnesses which are most often caused by three lifestyle choices: physical inactivity; unhealthy eating habits; and tobacco use. By improving our health habits in these areas, we can make a significant impact on our healthcare expenses.
Sustaining our organization through these challenging economic times will require an intense focus on both our fiscal and physical health. For that reason, High ® has formed a partnership with Cooper Corporate Solutions, a world renowned wellness company founded on the principal that it is easier and less expensive to maintain good health than it is to regain it once it is lost. Cooper is designing a comprehensive health management program with the goal of improving the health, productivity, and performance of each coworker, and the organization as a whole.
The first step in our journey to build a culture of health began earlier this year when Cooper took a look at our current “state of wellness”. Through meetings with management to better understand High’s leadership interests, as well as co-worker focus groups, a program for various health and wellness offerings is being developed to help educate our co-workers about their personal health. This more robust wellness program will require personal accountability; however, the program will provide support to help you make meaningful changes toward a healthier lifestyle. We recognized a tremendous opportunity to create a healthier work environment with our initiative to establish tobacco-free properties in July of 2012. Tobacco use, and smoking in particular, is directly responsible for deadly and preventable health conditions, and predictably represents a large portion of High’s excess medical costs. The facts are indisputable.
In order for businesses to be globally competitive, they need to focus on helping their employees live healthier lifestyles.
Dr. Michael Roizen
The 2010 Surgeon General’s Report, “How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease”, shows that there are more than 7,000 chemicals and compounds found in cigarette smoke, hundreds of which are toxic. At least 69 of these compounds cause cancer.
Smoking is known to cause up to 85 percent of lung cancers in the U.S.
More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.
50 percent of long-term smokers who do not stop will be killed by smoking-related diseases.
Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic
Greg High, Dale High, Suzanne High Schenck, Sadie High, and Steve High.
These statistics are staggering, but not surprising. While we want to address many of the risk factors that affect our co-workers’ health, quitting tobacco is still the most beneficial action a tobacco user can take. Quitting is hard. That is why High is committed to supporting both co-workers and their spouses through a variety of cessation programs, including on-line, telephonic, group, or individual counseling, and by reimbursing a portion of the cost of a program or nicotine replacement therapy. More information on how you can take advantage of these cessation tools for a healthier, tobacco-free lifestyle is available from your Human Resource Services Department.
To remain competitive across all of our various industries, now is the time to take control of our healthcare costs. Last year the company spent over $14 million on healthcare. Knowing that a large portion of that expense is avoidable, it is important that we all take positive steps toward healthier habits before the cost of health care impacts our health and the sustainability of the Company.
As a part of the 2012 wellness initiative and our ongoing commitment to personal health accountability, you can expect to learn more about other opportunities to improve health habits in the “Big 4” areas – tobacco use, nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
We continue to be committed to the safety, health, and well-being of every coworker, as stated in The High Philosophy. Because of the talents, innovation, and dedication you provide to help the business succeed, co-workers are High’s greatest asset; therefore, High is dedicated to aiding you on this journey to a healthier lifestyle. Together, we can positively impact your health and the health of the Company as we look forward to another successful 80 years.
Equal Employment Opportunity
And Affirmative Action
It is the policy of High® to fully comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action laws and regulations, including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination In Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Executive Order 11246, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and any other State, Federal, or local law relating to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Further, High provides equal employment opportunities to all co-workers and applicants for employment, and ensures that all personnel actions, such as recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff, recall, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, social and recreational programs, and other Company relationships with co-workers, are administered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
New Trailer Stretches The Limits
An extraordinary new 227-foot truck-trailer assembly has enabled High Transit LLC (HTL) to stretch the limits for shipping of High Steel Structures Inc.’s (HSSI) structural elements. The trailer features multi-axle positive steering and has the ability to negotiate corners and navigate through urban congestion. In addition, the trailer deck is only 11 inches off the ground, a full 22 inches lower than HTL’s standard trailers, and can transport bridge members up to 70 feet long, and weighing up to 85 tons.
By shipping more and larger pieces per load, HTL provides optimal economy for the project owner and for HSSI. This is just one more way that HTL’s innovative ideas help business units to provide value-added products that meet customers’ needs and enhance the Company’s bottom line.
University Housing Is Built Using The Latest In Precast Technology
This fall, students at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, moved into a new dormitory enclosed with a CarbonCast® exterior wall system that is load-bearing, as well as thermally efficient. This is a new interpretation of a proven design from AltusGroup, Inc., the precast partnership High Concrete Group LLC (HCGL) co-founded to find more sustainable precast for green buildings.
The CarbonCast wall system encapsulates three inches of rigid foam insulation between concrete wythes that are secured with AltusGroup’s proprietary C-GRID® carbon fiber shear truss to deliver a uniform R value of 15. While AltusGroup pioneered the use of patented interior pilasters for load-bearing vertical wall panel applications, the interior wythes of these new architecturally detailed horizontal panels are thickened to six inches to accommodate the load-bearing condition.
In keeping with The High Companies Sustainability Statement, HCGL continues to co-develop CarbonCast as a sustainable precast technology. As the race for more green building products accelerates, HCGL is positioned to be a frontrunner by helping customers to achieve their sustainable design objectives.
Trucks parked nearby provide perspective for the length of the new HTL trucktrailer assembly.
The new dorms at Montclair State University are clad with load-bearing, thermally efficient CarbonCast ® walls.
HREGL Affiliates Join Forces For A Total Team Project
High Real Estate Group LLC (HREGL) has broken ground for construction of a new 25,000 square-foot facility at its Highlands Corporate Center in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The client, The Gilbertson Group, is a family-owned company that specializes in security systems integration and custom-built retail delivery solutions for the commercial and financial industries.
Scheduled for completion in April 2012, the facility features 19,000 square feet of warehouse space and 6,000 square feet of office space. The build-to-suit-tolease project is a total team project for HREGL affiliates. It is designed by Greenfield Architects Ltd., and is being built by High Construction Company. High Associates Ltd. (HAL) is providing development, property management, and tenant care services.
“It is a privilege for us to continue to serve The Gilbertson Group as they expand at Highlands Corporate Center,” said Stephen Leibert, Highland’s Regional Manager. “It is also gratifying to see the start of construction of their new corporate headquarters, along with the creation of new jobs.” Congratulations to the HREGL Team for earning The Gilbertson Group’s confidence!
Early Completion Of BRAC Project Draws Praise For HCGL
The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) construction project at the WrightPatterson Air Force Base finished nearly three months ahead of schedule, garnering praise for High Concrete Group LLC (HCGL), and enabling the Air Force to relocate hundreds of employees from other sites around the country. Thomas Wells, Director of the 711th Human Performance Wing, said, “It is nearly a miracle that we were able to take possession of a facility this large and complex 89 days ahead of the original schedule.”
Compared to using hand-laid brick, the precast enclosure allowed the project to be completed almost three full months ahead of schedule.
HCGL’s Springboro, Ohio, Plant supplied 147,600 square feet of architectural precast for this massive 680,000 square-foot, $194.5 million Human Performance Wing complex. The project is Wright-Patterson’s largest single construction project since World War II, and is the centerpiece of its $332 million BRAC construction program. It will house the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, as well as a massive centrifuge that will be used to test human and equipment performance under multiple gravity pressures, and a wide range of laboratory and testing facilities.
HCGL’s Springboro facility is a frequent subcontractor at Wright-Patterson and was able to delight the customer with products that met their aesthetic and scheduling requirements. Hats off to our co-workers for a job well done!
HCGL Adds Its Expertise To A Maryland Design-Build Project
High Concrete Group LLC (HCGL) is part of a team working on the Largo Kaiser Permanente parking garage in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The design-build partnership was assembled by the general contractor, Donohoe Construction Company of Washington, DC, and includes Walker Parking Consultants of Wayne, Pennsylvania, WBA Architects of Alexandria, Virginia, and HCGL.
The innovative design features an efficient functional layout, eliminating significant portions of underground parking and providing significant savings on the project.
The structural façade is being produced by HCGL’s Denver, Pennsylvania, Plant. It features a thin brick veneer that complements adjacent brick structures, as well as precast planters that enhance the structure. Inside, drains are cast into the double-tee driving surfaces. Plant-applied washes – or drainage channels – replace more water-permeable field-applied pour strips, eliminating a source of potential corrosion.
HAL Finds The Perfect Fit For Its Client
High Associates Ltd. (HAL) is marketed as a full-service real estate firm; but to industry outsiders, what does that mean? Well, for Paul Davis Restoration it meant that HAL was able to provide a turn-key solution for the company’s move to a larger facility that was literally around the corner!
Finding that its growing business was bursting at the seams, this Lancaster County restoration business and Greenfield Corporate Center client contacted Ruth Devenney, Associate Broker with HAL. Ruth helped them identify the best facility solution to support their objectives. With the aid of other HAL team members, they collaborated to provide space planning, interior design, and fit-out services.
The result was a larger, move-in ready facility in Greenfield Corporate Center, located within a half-mile of the previous location, and designed to meet the business’ specific needs. It is the perfect fit for this client, who was recently named to Central Penn Business Journal’s list of “Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies for 2011”.
Darryl Gordon and Mary Kreider (HCL), Zoraida and Francisco Rosa (HCGL), and Jorge Echegoyen’s (HCGL) son, Nathaniel, enjoy cruising the
Seminars Spread The Word About Sustainable Precast Concrete
High Concrete Group LLC (HCGL) regularly sponsors continuing education programs for architects and other construction professionals. These seminars are mutually beneficial to designers, who are required to take up to 18 hours of continuing education annually, and HCGL presenters, who explain product features and benefits to decision-makers.
Recently, HCGL participated in AltusGroup’s “More with Less” seminars, which focused on lighter weight, more sustainable precast concrete enclosures. AltusGroup is a partnership of 14 precasters from around the country dedicating resources to developing and marketing precast products.
Over the years, seminars have resulted in significant projects for HCGL, as attendees learn about the advances in precast technology. This year, AltusGroup presented seminars in 15 cities, with HCGL presenting in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, New York City, St. Louis, and Chicago.
Co-Workers
And Others Enjoy CAC’s Big Apple Adventure
On Saturday, September 24, 2011, the Co-worker Activities Committee (CAC) sponsored a bus trip to New York City. Co-workers and their family members and friends departed Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to enjoy a sunny day in The Big Apple.
Upon arrival, the group boarded The Spirit of New York, an entertaining and unique cruise that combines dining, dancing, entertainment, and spectacular views. Seeing New York from the Hudson River allows unique views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, the Financial District, and the redevelopment of Ground Zero.
After docking at Chelsea Pier, the motor coaches took the group to central Manhattan, where they spent the remainder of the day roaming the city at their leisure. Many enjoyed shopping, sightseeing, and fine restaurants.
Future CAC events include two motor coach trips during 2012. Events are posted on High Home and on Company bulletin boards. If you have suggestions for trips or events, please contact a CAC member.
Hudson River on The Spirit of New York.
President Profile: Melvin D. Pullen Jr., HCGL
Melvin D. Pullen Jr. may be new to Lancaster County, but he is not new to High Concrete Group LLC (HCGL). He began his career with the Springboro, Ohio, office in 2005 as Project Manager, and was promoted to Director of Project Management in 2007. In 2010, Melvin transferred to the Denver, Pennsylvania, facility as Vice President of Construction Services, and was named President of HCGL in July 2011.
The economic environment has changed over the past several years, with increasing service requirements placed on HCGL by its customers. Melvin credits HCGL co-workers, saying, “I am very proud of our coworkers for the tremendous job they have done in meeting or exceeding our customers’ expectations. This has helped our ability to sign work on the total value that we offer, and not just on the cost.”
Melvin holds a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and recently earned a Masters degree in Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology. In addition, he is a PCI Certified Field Auditor and is certified as a Fall Protection Qualified Person through Gravitec Systems Inc. Melvin and his wife, Monica, live in Lititz with their two children - Kristina, who is seven years old and attends Reidenbaugh Elementary School, and Leila, age three. The Pullens are enjoying their new Lancaster County home, and are especially pleased to discover the area’s abundance of excellent non-chain restaurants.
HSSI Expansion Is Complete
High Steel Structures Inc. recently completed the expansion of Plant Two’s North Bay. High Construction Company was the General Contractor for this project.
The addition was built to create more finishing cells at the west end of the Bay. The expansion also included installation of mega doors in North Bay, South Bay, and the Paint Bay. These doors accommodate use of a new low-profile travel lift, and allow for efficient movement of girders in and out of the Bays.
Shown in the photo to the left, a mega door allows easy movement of materials.
The photo below shows the exterior of the expansion.
They Give Good Measure!
HIGH TRANSIT LLC
LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
Bruce E. Moore, Over The Road Truck Driver
Nominated by Robert T. Oldham
When High Steel Service Center LLC’s (HSSCL) materials were sustaining damage during shipping, Bruce Moore identified the problem and devised a solution. The damage was occurring when wind and friction created holes in tarps that were meant to cover and protect materials. With tarps in shreds, HSSCL’s products were exposed to the elements.
Bruce’s solution was to obtain 100 magnets, which he pop-riveted to 100 corner protectors, and distributed to co-workers to use. The corner protectors keep the tarps from tearing at the corners of materials being hauled, allowing HTL and HSSCL to supply customers with undamaged products. This Bruce did one weekend on his personal time - and in time for Monday morning shipments!
This is a clear example of valuing our customers and meeting their needs and providing them with products that are “right the first time”, as well as energizing our teamwork with participative management and creating an environment for innovation. We applaud Bruce for taking the initiative to preserve the product and the reputation of our High ® companies!
HIGH COMPANY LLC
LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
Jane G. Owens, Secretary/Receptionist
Nominated by Robin D. Stauffer and Laurie M. Newmoyer
Jane Owens was not nominated for any one thing she has done – it is the things she does every day for which she has earned the Good Measure Award! As Secretary/Receptionist, Jane is the first contact at the High Corporate Office. Visitors, some of whom hold high-level management positions within their companies and who employ people in positions similar to Jane’s, often give glowing reviews to the professional and courteous service she provides.
As the coordinator of the monthly events for High Beamers, Jane continually finds new and interesting activities and destinations for the retirees, while keeping the economic contribution required of Beamers at a level that is affordable. She demonstrates her caring and compassion through her interaction with Beamers and their family members, and has visited hospitalized Beamers outside of working hours.
Jane consistently seeks opportunities to assist SRUs and SBUs with special projects. If you received a Service Anniversary Award packet, a Company
mailing at your home, or read The Bridge or High Spirit , Jane had a hand in it. And if you noticed that the Corporate Office lunch room refrigerator has been cleaned, Jane did that, too – most likely on her own time.
With her vast knowledge of the Company, Corporate Center, and community, Jane is a valued resource, and we are proud to have her on the Office Services Team!
HIGH HOTELS LTD.
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
Zelda A. Rowley, Houseperson
Nominated by Lydia A. Warco
Zelda Rowley, a Houseperson for the Courtyard by Marriott in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, does a great job; but it is what she did during a lunch break that has earned her a Good Measure Award.
Nominator Lydia Warco relayed an event in which an elderly lady arrived at the hotel’s front desk, and asked for directions to a nearby doctor’s office in Greenfield Corporate Center. As Lydia offered directions, Zelda came by and offered her assistance. When guests began to check out and the phone started ringing, Lydia needed to turn her attention to the front desk duties. Zelda patiently continued, doing her best to help the woman, even though it was clear she was having difficulty understanding.
Hesitantly, the lady went back to her car. Lydia explains, “At this point, Zelda and I exchanged a nervous glance. Both of us agreed that we did not think she would get there.” Already on her lunch break, Zelda said she would clock out and ride with the woman to the doctor’s office. Then she walked back to the hotel, despite the day’s consistent rain.
Zelda’s willingness to help a stranger in need clearly demonstrates her commitment to The High Philosophy . Her actions are a testament to her kindness and respect for others, and all this Zelda does with a smile and a humble heart. Industry
HIGH ASSOCIATES LTD.
LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
J. Lucinda Santiago, Administrative Coordinator
Nominated by Robert C. Vasko
Lucinda Santiago, Administrative Coordinator with High Associates Ltd. (HAL), wears many hats. For a portion of her day, she works with HAL’s Construction, Building, and Property Services Teams, providing administrative support. Nominator Rob Vasko extends much of the credit to Lucinda for the group’s best safety audit ever. Lu organized paperwork and scheduled monthly safety topics and speakers to help the Team achieve this great record.
For another part of her day, Lucinda provides general office support to HAL’s Asset Management Team, helping to keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly. On top of all that, one co-worker mentions, “She organizes and records minutes for more meetings than we can mention.”
Lu offers assistance to the Executive Offices at Greenfield and the High Corporate Office front desk, providing coverage and phone support - often on short notice, but always with a smile.
Lu photographs events for the Co-worker Activities Committee (CAC). She participates in the annual Tail Waggers Trot, and also finds room in her heart and home for any feathered, scaled, hopping, scurrying, or even spinning critter in need. In addition, Lucinda takes care of her husband and daughter, as well as her mother, brother, and sister. One co-worker said, “Lucinda is an amazing friend, co-worker, and all around great person. She is the perfect example of why the Good Measure Award was created.”
HIGH CONCRETE GROUP LLC DENVER, PENNSYLVANIA
Luis A. “Alex” Santiago-Perez, Leadperson
Garry L. Frees, Senior Job Planner
Robert L. Wentzel, Production Supervisor
Nominated by Matthew G. Mahonski
When High Concrete Group LLC’s (HCGL) Plant in Denver, Pennsylvania, was faced with increased levels of production and targeted efficiencies, it was determined that a skilled group of co-workers was needed to identify problems, and develop quick solutions and effectively implement them to yield savings in time and money. To that end, the SWAT Team, comprised of co-workers Alex Santiago, Garry Frees, and Bob Wentzel, was formed with the mission to jump start the Plant’s Continuous Improvement (CI) processes.
During the ten weeks Alex, Garry, and Bob dedicated to the project, they were able to identify improvements to processes, equipment, work areas, ergonomics, scheduling, and communication, resulting in estimated savings of between $200,000 and $300,000.
While the SWAT Team was involved in this CI process, they performed their regular job duties, allowing operations to continue running smoothly. Nominator Matt Mahonski said of the Team, “Their innovation, dedication, and ability in juggling these demands clearly demonstrates an unyielding commitment to providing Good Measure in a very meaningful way.”
High Honors
Ronald D. Medlock, High Steel Structures Inc.
. . .earned Level 1 Certification in LEAN Manufacturing from MANTEC in September 2011. Ronnie, who is Vice President of Technical Services, began his career with HSSI in 2006 at its Lancaster, Pennsylvania, location.
Kathryn S. Sylvia, High Associates Ltd.
. . .earned the Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) designation from the National Apartment Association in August 2011. Kathryn joined HAL in 2010, and is Community Manager for Orchard Ridge Apartments, located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Bradley D. Tekely, High Concrete Group LLC
. . .earned a Masters degree in Construction Management (MCM) from Western Carolina University in August 2011. Brad, who is a Project Manager for HCGL’s Denver, Pennsylvania, facility, joined the Company in 2006.
High Awards
High Steel Structures Inc., Williamsport, Pennsylvania
. . .was recognized by the Lycoming County United Way as one of its top 25 employee campaigns for 2010. Through the generosity of HSSI coworkers and others, this agency achieved a total of $1,431,455 - the most money ever raised in the history of the organization.
High Associates Ltd., Lancaster, Pennsylvania
. . .was named 2011 Management Company of the year by The Apartment Association of Central Pennsylvania during its Best of Living Awards Gala, on October 5, 2011. This award was the result of the outstanding efforts of co-workers at the Bentley Ridge and Greenfield Estates apartment communities. It is based on company mission, marketing, maintenance programs, customer service philosophy, community service involvement, web site, co-worker training, and education commitment.
Bentley Ridge, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
. . .received the Star Performer Awards for Maintenance and Overall Excellence from The Apartment Association of Central Pennsylvania during its Best of Living Awards Gala on October 5, 2011.
Greenfield Estates, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
. . .earned Star Performer Awards for Curb Appeal, Marketing and Leasing, and Overall Excellence from The Apartment Association of Central Pennsylvania during its Best of Living Awards Gala on October 5, 2011.
Premier Self Storage, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
. . .was voted “One of the Best Places to Store Your Stuff”, earning runner-up honors for the second consecutive year in the 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards conducted by Lancaster Newspapers.
Your Company’s True North A Sustainability Plan Will Help
You Find Your Way
Rick Dickerson, PE, Manager of Strategic Projects at High®, offered the following article - the fifth in a series - in a recent edition of Business 2 Business magazine: You have read sustainability articles, heard sustainability talks, and listened to sustainability webinars. Now you are convinced that your business needs to develop a more sustainable approach. You believe it is important to not only establish this approach, but also communicate it to your customers, suppliers, and employees. You can envision all the positive internal effects (including lower costs and more productive employees), and you anticipate winning over some new customers who value and prefer organizations that are committed to being good stewards.
And then that voice from inside asks, “How is our organization going to demonstrate that we are for real, and not just a bunch of greenwashers?” This reasonable concern is compounded by the reality that sustainability applies to almost all aspects of a business. It begins with the raw materials and supplies that are procured, through the processes used to produce products or deliver services, the efficiency of the energy that is used by the processes, the wastes that are generated, the environmental impact, the co-workers and the community that are affected, the delivery of the product or service, and ultimately what is left when the service or product is finished or reaches the end of its usable life. Sustainability is a strategic issue.
If, at this point, sustainability seems an impossible goal, then imagine sustainability as more of a journey, a mission, or a vision.
As with any strategic issue, it must start with a good plan. In continuous improvement circles, the process of developing and executing a good plan is called the PDCA cycle, which stands for Plan/Do/Check/Adjust. And the good news is, you do not need to be a PDCA expert to use this basic approach and realize very good results.
Start with a vision or a plan of what to achieve. What does sustainability mean for your organization? When developing the vision, consider all three areas of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social – and give equal weight to each aspect. It is crucial to collect input from all areas of the organization. BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), such as zero carbon emissions or zero waste, can provide an inspiring rallying cry and support a vision that offers the path toward your organization’s “true north.”
When crafting the vision, it can be helpful to review examples from leading organizations. Interface, a carpet manufacturer and a sustainability leader and pioneer, states its vision as: “Every creative, manufacturing, and building decision we make will move us closer to our goal of eliminating any negative impact our companies may have on the environment by the year 2020.”
Consider Patagonia’s unique mission statement: “Make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” SC Johnson, states: “From using better ingredients to minimizing our environmental impact, we’re committed to doing what’s right for people and the planet.” A simple search of companies such as REI, Clif Bar, and Columbia Sportswear will provide even more examples of sustainability visions and statements.
After your direction has been established, the next step is to determine how to get there. One of the first considerations should be how the organization is going to measure progress towards its goal. Management consultant Tom Peters, who is well known for his emphasis on the qualitative aspects of business, said “The soundest management advice I’ve heard is the old saying, ‘What gets measured gets done.’”
To drive towards the sustainability vision, an organization would be well served to set measures related to the sustainability vision, because this act will increase the likelihood that the organization will achieve its goals. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your point of view, there is not one measurement standard, and some are more robust than others.
One tool for developing sustainability reporting is the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The GRI, which provides an international standard, is most appropriate for large public companies (see www.globalreporting.org). Some organizations may find this to be a good starting point, even if they are not a large multinational. There are also many other standards and approaches that define sustainability metrics and can serve as resources.
I have found that compiling the measures offered by the various standards into categories aligned with the elements of the triple bottom line — people, planet, and profit — is a good starting point. Then select those that relate best to the organization and choose the ones that will drive the behaviors desired. Perhaps energy usage, water usage, or transportation has a large impact on the business and should be included as environmental measures. In the area of people, employee retention, health and wellness, or community involvement may be measures to incorporate. The profit section might include measures of financial performance, market presence, or the development of strategic plans. It bears repeating that the measures that are selected should be measures that support the sustainability vision and drive the behaviors and results desired.
Of course, the planning process does not stop at selecting measures. Goals need to be set for each measure. Projects and tasks need to be identified that will move the organization toward the goals. Project champions need to be assigned. Progress needs to be tracked and communicated to the organization. And then
there is the need for implementation of countermeasures and reaction plans when the goals are not being achieved. If you are thinking that sounds similar to a management system, then you understand that is where the process must reside.
For a sustainability plan to be successful, it must be incorporated into the existing management system. Management must take ownership and accountability and provide leadership. Oversight and review of sustainability progress should become part of the periodic review meetings. Communication to the organization is also essential to success, whether through dashboards, narratives of business performance, bowling charts, newsletters, toolbox talks, or company meetings.
Sustainability is a journey, and a good plan is needed. The plan can help an organization avoid pitfalls and provide direction. The plan will help avoid confusion; establish clear direction; and provide prioritization, accountability, and feedback on progress. Most importantly, the plan will set the groundwork to show employees, customers, and the community that the organization, as the saying goes, “talks the talk” and “walks the walk.”
One Person’s Trash
The Information Services (IS) Department of High Company LLC (HCL) has found a way to dispose of obsolete computer equipment while helping a local organization by donating equipment to the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired (SABVI). This organization collects computers, monitors, printers, and other electronic equipment to refurbish or recycle, keeping toxic materials out of landfills and creating jobs for the blind and vision impaired throughout Pennsylvania.
Donated equipment is stripped down, and metals and plastics are separated. Any usable components are refurbished and sold at SABVI’s walk-in computer stores in Lancaster and Philadelphia, as well as on e-Bay. Proceeds from this program offset costs to provide services for individuals who are blind or vision impaired. Parts that cannot be refurbished are sold to an EPA certified recycling company. Profits go back into SABVI’s eCycle Program Service, and are used to pay for administrative and operating expenses. Any additional profits fund programs such as cane training, braille reading, rehabilitation, and socialization.
Not only is this an environmentally and socially conscious way to dispose of unwanted computer equipment, but it is a free service provided to companies and individuals by SABVI. Hats off to the IS Team for its contribution to the sustainability of our Company, the local community, and our planet!
Chad Stokes, a member of the IS Team, places a printer into a bin of obsolete computer equipment, which will then be loaded onto SAVBI’s truck.
‘Zinc’ Outside The Landfill
HSSI Institutes A Recycling Program For Paint Solids
Most of us never think about the composition of paint, let alone the fact that it contains ‘solids’. At High Steel Structures Inc. (HSSI) facilities in Lancaster and Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the overspray from primers, typically applied to bridge pieces, can be recycled.
The paint solids, comprised of approximately 80 percent zinc, are swept up, placed in containers, and shipped to a zinc recycler. In a recently completed special zinc-coating project, approximately 220,500 pounds of dust –containing 85 percent zinc – were collected from overspray and dust collectors. Through the process of recycling this dust, HSSI eliminates waste going to landfills, saves on disposal costs, and reinforces the High ® organization’s commitment to sustainability.
HAL’s Mallard Pointe Earns
The EPA’s Energy Star
In October 2011, High Associates Ltd. was notified that one of its buildings had earned the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® rating. Mallard Pointe, located at 11020 David Taylor Drive in Charlotte, North Carolina, joins High Hotels Ltd.’s Courtyard by Marriott in Middletown, New York, and the High Corporate Office building at 1853 William Penn Way, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as an ENERGY STAR registered facility.
Buildings that achieve this status use less energy and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other facilities of their kind, meeting strict energy performance standards set by the EPA. The Mallard Pointe facility can be marketed with the ENERGY STAR designation, making it more attractive to prospective tenants who focus on being green - both financially and environmentally. The journey will continue as the facility seeks annual ENERGY STAR recertification.
Congratulations and thank you to co-workers, Steve Brown, Ginny Burns, Beverly Mullins, Leonard Hoyle, and Brian Piercy for your efforts in helping HAL to obtain this important certification for Mallard Pointe. This is a fine example of The High Companies Sustainability Statement in action!
It Was A Dark And Stormy Night
HSSCL Co-Worker Braves A Storm To Serve Others
“It was a dark and stormy night.” While that line may be a cliché, it was truly the case on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, as Tropical Storm Lee made its way north along the East Coast. The massive amounts of rain dumped by the storm caused dangerous flooding, particularly in communities along rivers and streams.
Timothy J. Barna, a Multi-Cut Blanking Line Operator on first shift for High Steel Service Center LLC (HSSCL), left work that afternoon and returned to his Mount Joy home. Once there, Tim discovered several inches of water in the finished basement, and got busy pumping it out. But Tim, a Corporal in the Military Police (MP) detachment of the 55th Special Troops Battalion of the Pennsylvania National Guard, had barely finished this task and had little sleep when he was called upon to help others. The following is an account of how Tim and the National Guard served during a recent natural disaster.
On Thursday, September 8, the phone rang; it was his Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) calling to inform Tim that his National Guard unit was under a mandatory state activation and was to immediately report to its Lehighton (Pennsylvania) base. Tim gathered his gear and headed out into the storm. Under normal conditions, it is a two-hour trip. On this day, it turned into a grueling three-hour drive through torrential rain, flooding, and road detours. At the base, he and his unit waited for orders.
Later that morning, Tim and seven other MPs received orders to report to the Kingston armory, approximately 50 miles north of Lehighton. Three feet of water were expected to flood the armory over the next few days. At the armory, they began to move equipment to the second floor.
Early in the evening, the unit headed to Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre. At approximately 10:00 p.m., Tim and the other MPs were sent to Hanover, an area just south of Wilkes-Barre, which was under mandatory evacuation. There they met with police and fire personnel from the area to discuss the specifics of their ‘presence patrols’. Tim was assigned to the first patrol, which also included three other MPs and a local man who served as an area guide. They roamed the streets in a military truck to warn civilians to go inside or leave the area. They were also charged with contacting local police to arrest any looters they may have encountered which, thankfully, was not necessary.
After more than 26 hours on the job, Tim finally was able to get about three hours of rest in a sleeping bag on a gymnasium floor. Then, Tim’s unit was sent back to Lehighton where they were put on standby for the next 24-hour rotation.
Tim Barna snapped this photo of fellow National Guard troops moving civilians to safety during the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lee.
The mission was to control entry points into West Pittston, a town that was destroyed when water crested a levee. Troops were charged with checking residents’ identification to keep all others out of the area.
When their rotation finished on the morning of Monday, September 12, the unit went back to Lehighton where they were released from duty. Tim went home.
Remember that wet basement? Because Tim’s house had been closed up for five days, he arrived to the overpowering smell of mold and mildew. Tim aired out the house and got some sleep. Then he began tearing out the wet carpet and drywall.
This story serves as an example of how those in National Guard units put their personal lives on hold so that they can help others. Tim’s willingness to serve Pennsylvania communities in this way is a sacrifice that is very much appreciated by those in need. Thank you, Tim, for all you do both on and off the job!
HTL Hauls A Piece Of History
In June 2011, a 5,800-pound, 15-foot-long steel beam from one of the former World Trade Center towers was trucked to Lancaster County, compliments of High Transit LLC (HTL). Donald J. Reed, Logistics Manager with HTL, had the honor of hauling the beam from a hangar at John F. Kennedy International Airport to Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Donny recalled a man he had met during the trip after pulling over to check his cargo. “The man’s car had a ‘Never Forget’ sticker, and another with ‘9/11’, with the ‘11’ made to look like the twin towers.” When he told the man what he was hauling, Donny learned that the man had been part of the search and rescue effort at Ground Zero. “The guy just about teared up.”
The memorial will be funded by donations of money and services. Steve Bussanmas, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for High Steel Structures Inc. said, “We try to do things for the community, and this was obviously something we could give back.”
The beam, which cannot be cut or altered, is being used as a centerpiece for a memorial to those who were lost when the twin towers fell on September 11, 2001. Plans for the memorial include an observation deck, an American flag, and a plaque marking the site of the display, as well as lighting and other amenities. Following the memorial’s completion, a dedication ceremony is planned.
Tim Barna is on the job at HSSCL.
