November 28, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ryan Elizabeth Cinney
Manager, Marketing and Communications
(571) 348-5120
cinneyr@socma.com
ARLINGTON, VA – More than 40 SOCMA member facilities will receive 2017 Performance Improvement Awards for their commitment to continuous improvement in environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) practices at the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) 96th Annual Dinner, December 4, in New York.”Six ChemStewards® Coordinators, whose companies were not a part of this year’s awards program, participated in the double-blind judging process,” said Molly Kolodzinski, Senior Manager of SOCMA’s ChemStewards program. “Focusing on a Core Principle each week, the committee selected and shared their top applications. Weekly calls were conducted to ensure everyone was in agreement on selected applications, and a final vote was taken to further collaborate on award recipients. These judges were truly dedicated and committed to EHS&S excellence as they reviewed the applications and selected this year’s winners. The competitiveness of the program is healthy and a testament to the value of EHS&S recognition.”
“As the specialty chemical industry has evolved over the past decade, we are continuously striving to identify companies that have model initiatives and practices aligned with the ChemStewards principles,” said Jennifer Abril, President and CEO.
The 2017 Gold Award winners are the Baker Hughes Rayne Blend Plant and Bayport Manufacturing Plant. Judges were particularly impressed with the senior leadership’s involvement with safety at the Bayport plant. Their leadership has weekly and monthly involvement with their staff, which includes weekly engagement walks. One judge noted, “I see all the core values, including training and using employees to “teach back” the training to enhance retention, which is fantastic.”
At the Rayne Manufacturing Plant, judges were impressed with the level at which they demonstrate all the core values of the ChemStewards program. “I really like how this facility is 1,000+ days accident free, their reduction in injuries, their number of annual employee training hours invested, delivery driver tenants and the number of plant inspections conducted annually,” one judge noted.
Silver Performance Improvement Awards will be presented to 15 facilities showing excellence in one of the five ChemStewards Core Principles: Stakeholder Communications, Product Stewardship, EHS&S in Planning and Operations, Employee Training and Engagement, and Resource Management and Waste Minimization. And, 23 SOCMA member facilities will receive a Bronze Performance Improvement Award for maintaining strong EHS&S programs. See a complete listing of Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners here.
“As an integral part of the specialty chemical community, SOCMA understands the importance of recognizing how these companies are surpassing expectations and making a greater impact to the industry at large,” said Abril.
This year’s ChemStewards Sustainability Award goes to Monument Chemical Houston, Ltd. The company’s ability to use raw materials fully and make as little waste doing so, and reduce the energy required to make products was what impressed the judges this year.
Cambrex Corporation is the recipient of SOCMA’s 2017 Educational Outreach Award. Cambrex’s primary educational outreach activities during the 2016-2017 school year focused on support of a new program developed by local high schools to reduce, reuse or recycle 275-gallon plastic totes used for holding water. The facility has shown a commitment to STEM programs through the Iowa BIG North program, the Iowa Externship Program and various other offerings, including tours, open houses, speaking at seminars and scientists working with students on small experiments.
“Congratulations to all recipients for the 2017 Gold, Silver, Bronze, Sustainability and Educational Outreach Awards,” Abril said. “We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments in New York.”
About SOCMA
Since 1921, SOCMA has represented a diverse membership of specialty chemical companies located around the world. For more information, visit www.socma.com.
Categorized in: Awards, Manufacturing/Operations, Members