Industry Leaders Tour Parts Galore and Ferrous Processing
This July, scrap metal recycling executives from
across North America looked to Soave companies to learn the industry’s best practices. Nineteen industry
leaders boarded a Checker Sedan luxury bus for a fact finding tour of southeast Michigan.
Coordinated by the Automotive Recyclers of America (ARA), the group viewed three different facets of the
recycling industry: a self-service used auto parts facility, a full-service scrap yard and a full-service
used auto parts facility. The first two stops on their route were the Soave Enterprises companies, Parts
Galore and Ferrous Processing & Trading’s (FPT) John Kronk facility. The tour concluded at nearby Fox
Auto Parts, another ARA member.
Parts Galore President Bill Wild conducted the tour of his property and FPT Vice President of Operations Steve Benaquisto welcomed the guests at the John Kronk location. “The tour participants wanted to gain a better understanding of the full automotive cycle,” noted Wild. “They were interested in how industry leading recyclers handle end of life vehicles.”
His visitors were members of ARA and its affiliate chapters, Automotive Recyclers of Michigan (ARM) and Automotive Recyclers of Canada, plus representatives from the University of Windsor, the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) and Vehicle Recycling Partnership (VRP). “Most of their inquiries focused on the 17-step process we conduct on each vehicle before it is placed in the yard,” Wild said. “Our steps include removing the mercury switches, brake fluid, washer fluid, gas, antifreeze and air conditioning unit’s CFCs from each automobile prior to it joining the other 2,000 cars ready for the public’s disassembly.
“Participants also expressed curiosity in how we acquired our vehicles. We told them of our varied sources: new and used car lots, insurance companies, towing facilities, and charities,” Wild concluded. Barbara Utter, Executive Director of ARM, gave praise to the tour hosts. “Bill Wild and Steve Benaquisto did a great job. Our tour participants, who came from as far away as Alaska, were very pleased with the insight gained on this informative trip through southeastern Michigan.”
Celebrating Canadian-style at Great Northern and Masco Farms
Grilling hotdogs and hamburgers may seem an unlikely way to celebrate, but that’s what
Darrin Didychuk, Guido van het Hof and Tom Laliberte of Great Northern Hydroponics did.
The trio of cooks, also known as GNH president, general manager and controller, respectively, donned aprons and fired up the grill in
recognition of the hard work and dedication of the employees. In addition to “employee appreciation,”
the barbeque celebrated the success of Great Northern’s fifth consecutive “Superior Rating” from
AIB International. The gourmet tomato-producing and packaging firm has once again received the highest
rating possible from the internationally recognized food safety auditor. This certification verifies to
customers that a company’s products are produced in a food-safe environment.
With everyone’s consistent dedication to excellence in mind, the greenhouse facility’s management and social committee planned the lunch hour feast – then prepared and served the food. Less than a month later, the same planning committee, including Didychuk, Laliberte, plus Kimberley Kroslak, Robin McRae and Eusebio Fortuna, joined forces once again for the Great Northern and Masco Farms Employee Party 2008. Kroslak, Quality Systems Manager for Great Northern, is credited with developing the annual party’s theme – Rock N’ Bowl.
Held at a local bowling alley, the evening function featured glow-in-the-dark bowling, music, pool, foosball, air hockey and pizza. Random door prize drawings for two mountain bikes, a home theatre system, a stereo
system, an iPod and a digital camera kept employees on the edge of their seats.
Kroslak expressed her thanks to other committee members for help organizing the event which included both companies’ employees, including 116 migrant workers, most of whom had never previously bowled.
“Each year we try to come up with something new that everyone will enjoy,” Kroslak explained. “Rock N’ Bowl had a great turnout and was a lot of fun! Everyone was smiling, laughing and having a great time. It was fantastic!”
Special achievements deserve special recognition. Hats off to the following for a job well done!
- At its annual convention in Quebec, the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) elected Sheldon Jarcaig as its new president. Jarcaig, VP at Ferrous Processing & Trading’s Zalev Brothers, told association members that he plans to expand CARI’s membership and strengthen the group’s alliances with other nations’ trade associations. In his address to the convention, Jarcaig urged industry members to work with police to solve the ongoing problem of metal thefts. “By utilizing the expertise of our membership, we have the opportunity to represent ourselves to the public and government as part of the solution to this ongoing problem,” he noted.
- Nicole Gayheart, daughter of Soave Enterprises’
Roxanne Gayheart, was selected for Lincoln Park, Michigan’s girls’ all-star softball team. Though she has only two years of experience on the field, 11-year-old Nicole was named team captain, and once, MVP after a game-winning grand slam. Lincoln Park’s team continued its winning streak until the state finals and was ultimately named runner-up.
- Stacie Simons, step-daughter of Ferrous Processing’s Mike Pucci, recently graduated from the Honors College at Kent State University. Now that she has received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Simons plans to attend Case Western Reserve University to pursue a master’s in social work.
- The Michigan ISRI Chapter Scholarship Program awarded a scholarship to Cassie M. Patrola, daughter of FPT’s David Patrola. Cassie will attend Florida State University beginning spring 2009. Special thanks go to Parts Galore President Bill Wild who wrote a letter of recommendation for the accomplished young woman.
- Hard work and dedication landed Latonya N. Walton, daughter of Checker Sedan’s
Lynette E. Walton, on the dean’s list for the Wayne State University Math and
Science Program for University Preparatory Academy. This fall, she will begin 9th grade at University Preparatory High School in Detroit.
Latonya was also selected to attend The University of Michigan’s week-long Summer Enhancement Program. The program prepares future students for campus life by hosting teens in July through their high school graduation. - Participating in regional and national dance competitions throughout Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, New Jersey and South Carolina,
Alison and Rachel Hughes garnered top honor awards for the 2008 season. The girls, daughters of Brambleton’s
Mike Hughes, performed in the Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and Open categories. With more than 200 competitors in each category, Alison finished fourth among 13-16 year olds and Rachel finished first place against those 12 and under.
The girls’ older sister, Jessica, competes with the Westfield High School Color Guard team and performs during varsity football game halftime shows.
Correction to a previous column: FPT Quality Assistant Stephanie Philips earned her bachelors degree in Film and Communications from Wayne State University.
