Tiger Town Treat
Tigers Opening Day is a beloved spring tradition in the city of Detroit. Thousands of fans gather in rain, shine or even snow to watch their ball team begin another season at Comerica Park.
Another important Detroit tradition is the Soave Opening Day Hot Dog Feast. Once again this year, employees at the Soave corporate offices celebrated the March 31st festivities with a ballpark-themed luncheon. “Eighty Tigers fans – or at least hotdog fans – gathered to commemorate the season’s first game and enjoy an indoor feast from an outdoor-style vendor cart,” said HR Specialist Maria Perez.
To spread the goodwill, attendees were encouraged to donate pet food and supplies to this year’s selected animal-focused charity, the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society. More than $400 worth of goods was delivered to the Detroit-based rescue and shelter organization.
Ferrous Process & Trading Reaches into Southeastern Market
With the geographic migration of many automotive operations from their traditional base in the Midwest to warmer climates, maintaining long- term growth requires devising a strategy to service these southern transplants. After 18 months of planning, Ferrous Process & Trading (FPT) has done just that.
“Ferrous Processing is proud to establish a new business platform in the southeast region,” announced Howard Sherman, FPT’s CEO and President. “Account Executive Bill Sulak’s full-time responsibilities have been transferred to oversee Nissan and related accounts in Tennessee.”
Nissan operates three plants in the southeastern U.S. region: stamping and assembly plants in Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi, and a powertrain facility in Decherd, Tennessee.
“Our expertise and track record with the ‘Big Three’ give us credibility with other automakers in need of scrap metal services,” explains Sherman. “Instead of having to accept less experienced, locally-based vendors, FPT will offer facilities throughout the region the industry’s best practices.” FPT’s Executive VP of Operations Tony Benacquisto notes, "This is a great foothold on which to build our growth in the southeastern U.S. scrap markets. We’re looking to pick up more business from Nissan’s stamping suppliers in the region; plus add operations and processing capacity in Tennessee and Alabama."
Scrap metal prices reached a historical, all-time high in April. “Strong markets are expected continue into the second quarter of 2008,” reports Rob Bakotich, VP of Sales and Marketing for FPT. “By adding this new platform to our previously established Florida and Midwest operations, we will be able to better serve our mid-south mill customers during a key period.”
FPT was recently ranked 11th in the 20 Largest Multi-National Scrap Recyclers by Recycling Today.
Planting New SEEDs
Reputation can dramatically impact business. An impressive reputation assists with the recruitment of the highest caliber employees. It can sway new clients to join a well-satisfied roster. It can influence vendors and business partners to eagerly embrace current projects.
At Soave Enterprises, maintaining and enhancing our reputation – both internally and externally – is a top priority. The SEED (Soave Ethics Education and Development) program was developed as a tool to support employees in learning our corporate values.
For two years now, this educational program has helped Soave team members define acceptable behaviors.
As part of this on-going effort, the program’s leaders, or Soave Ethics Champions, regularly meet to discuss new topics. “Our Champions recently completed a risk assessment,” explains Soave Director of Human Resources Marcia Moss. “Based upon their collective answers, the most applicable new SEED courses were selected and added to our company line-up.”
“The Champions’ assessments uncovered the need for greater awareness in a few key areas,” continues Moss. “From their input, our new SEED modules include topics as far-ranging as e-mail etiquette, information security and workplace harassment.”
Using the same easy-to-complete procedure, individuals will be notified via e-mail or by their supervisors about the additional required modules and completion dates. Employees are only asked to complete the courses that apply to their scope of responsibility. The self-contained courses can be administered at employees’ own computers or via kiosks at selected worksites.
“Of course, the original SEED courses remain available for new hires to complete,” notes Moss. “Through this program, our fundamental purpose is to create a work environment that fosters fairness, respect and integrity.”
