Fostering a Culture of Safety: Soltex’s Safety Committee
Introduction:
A safe and healthy work environment is essential for any organization’s success. Soltex recognizes the importance of prioritizing safety and has established a dedicated Safety Committee to promote and maintain a secure workplace. This blog post sheds light on the purpose, composition, and impact of Soltex’s Safety Committee.
The Purpose of the Committee:
The primary objective of the Soltex Safety Committee is to cultivate and sustain a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. By creating a platform for collaboration between employees and management, the committee actively addresses safety concerns, identifies potential hazards, and develops strategies to mitigate risks. Through these efforts, the committee plays a vital role in reducing workplace incidents and safeguarding the well-being of the Soltex workforce.
Committee Composition:
The Soltex Safety Committee is composed of representatives from various departments, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise. Members from management, customer service, supply chain, human resources, sales, and operations come together during regularly held committee meetings to discuss safety-related matters. This inclusive approach promotes comprehensive safety practices and encourages effective collaboration among committee members.
Coverage Areas:
The Safety Committee covers a wide range of safety-related topics. They conduct regular site audits to identify potential hazards, review incident reports to learn from past experiences, and perform risk analyses to proactively address emerging risks. The committee also reviews and improves existing safety programs, considering feedback and suggestions from employees. By focusing on these areas, the committee consistently enhances safety measures within the organization.
Serving Customers and Suppliers:
While the Safety Committee’s primary focus is on employees, its impact also extends to Soltex customers and suppliers. By prioritizing safety, the committee indirectly influences the maintenance of product quality and customer satisfaction. Their proactive measures help prevent incidents, which can directly impact the interests and well-being of customers and suppliers. By demonstrating a commitment to safety, the committee instills confidence in stakeholders and fosters long-term relationships.
Effect on Growth and Expansion:
The Soltex Safety Committee plays an important role in the company’s growth and expansion. A strong safety culture, driven by the committee’s efforts, contributes to a positive reputation for the organization. This reputation enhances customer trust and confidence, thereby fostering business growth. Additionally, an engaged safety committee improves employee morale and satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and retention rates. The committee’s proactive approach also ensures regulatory compliance when entering new markets, facilitating expansion and diversification.
Conclusion:
The Soltex Safety Committee exemplifies the company’s commitment to creating a safe and healthy work environment. By bringing together representatives from various departments, the committee fosters collaboration and comprehensive safety practices. Not only does this initiative benefit employees, but it also serves its customers and suppliers by promoting confidence and maintaining product quality. Furthermore, the committee’s proactive approach positively impacts the company’s growth and expansion endeavors. With the Safety Committee at the forefront, Soltex continues to prioritize safety and wellbeing while laying the foundation for a successful future.
Soltex to Showcase Latest Innovations at STLE Annual Meeting
The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) annual meeting scheduled for May 21-24, 2023 in Long Beach, CA, is one of the most highly anticipated events in the field of tribology and lubrication engineering. This year, Soltex, Inc. is looking forward to participating in the event and showcasing its latest products and innovations.
As a leading supplier of high-quality petroleum additives, Soltex is committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of the industry. At the STLE annual meeting, the company will have all products on display. In particular, Soltex will be featuring its lines of polybutenes and performance chemical additives (PCA).
Attendees can expect to learn more about the company’s latest products and innovations, including its cutting-edge solutions for the automotive, industrial, marine, and aviation industries. Soltex expert representatives will be available to answer questions and provide technical support, making STLE an excellent opportunity to gain insights and knowledge about the latest developments in the field.
Soltex will also participate in educational workshops at the event, where our experts will share their deep knowledge and insights with other industry professionals. This will provide attendees with valuable insights, helping them to stay at the forefront of the industry and continue to innovate and improve their products and services.
Overall, Soltex’s participation in the STLE annual meeting as a Palladium level sponsor is a testament to its commitment to the industry and its customers. By staying engaged with the latest developments and trends in the field, the company is able to deliver the most innovative and effective solutions to its customers. Attendees can expect to learn from Soltex experts, gain valuable knowledge and insights, and discover new innovations and solutions to enhance their operations. Stop by and visit us at Booth 222!
Soltex Makes Connections at ILMA Engage
Soltex attends many industry meetings throughout the year, and each one has a specific focus and purpose. One such event the company attended recently was the 2023 ILMA Engage in Tucson, Arizona. This spring meeting is focused on learning about trends in the lubricants industry, reconnecting with old colleagues, and meeting new associates.
The main goal for Soltex in attending ILMA Engage is connecting with producers and customers for current trends in the lubricants industry as well as understanding current demands, projects, and opportunities. Soltex schedules meetings with commercial and technical procurement attendees throughout the three days.
John Grimes from the Soltex team was able to engage with a variety of attendees and gather valuable information. While Soltex did sponsor a tabletop located in the Base Camp, Grimes was able to connect with individuals from other companies at networking sessions. “This year’s ILMA Engage was record attendance with over 600 attendees.” The only challenge to arise is making our reservations on time for the host hotel. As the numbers climb, the spaces fill sooner.
At the meeting, one of the product lines that garnered the most interest was the PCA, and Polybutene lines. Understanding the customer’s forecast and new project allows our teams to promote our complete product line application benefits. Identifying the global scale market gives us insight into the market view and communicates to our internal services the needs in the future.
Soltex will attend the ILMA Annual Meeting in Palm Desert, California to learn more about upcoming market conditions and business intel.
Soltex Moves Headquarters
Soltex, Inc. is excited to announce it has permanently moved the location of its company headquarters from Houston, Texas effective December 16, 2022. The new address is 4 Waterway Square Place, Suite 275, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380. Our lockbox will remain the same as well as telephone and email contact information.
As Soltex continues to grow, the move to the new facility will provide the space and room needed to serve customers better. It also gives Soltex the opportunity to expand all teams and continue increasing product lines.
“The move to The Woodlands is just another step in the upwards growth of Soltex, Inc.,” said Glenn Bohny, Soltex President. “We’re happy to have found a new home that will allow us to advance as a company, become more efficient, and serve our clients with the same level of customer service they have come to expect from us.”
Old Address:
3707 FM 1960 West, Suite 560
Houston, Texas 77068
Mainline: (281) 587-0900
New Address:
Soltex, Inc.
4 Waterway Square Place, Suite 275
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Mainline: (281) 587-0900
Soltex Manufacturing Improvements Actualized with Addition of Drumline
Recent improvements to Soltex’s manufacturing process have positively impacted the company’s overall operations. By adding drumline functionality, Soltex has realized numerous benefits in very little time. We recently touched base with Soltex’s Vice President of Operations, Bryan De La Rosa, to discuss the specifics behind the addition of the drumline.
So how did this drumline come about? De La Rosa explains that with increasing packaging demands and expanded product offerings, they decided their old system of manufacturing was no longer sufficient to allow the company to reach safety and production goals. This ultimately led them to implement drumline functionality. He further explains that they had great experience with automation in past projects and thus “felt comfortable moving forward with this plan to bring a fresh idea into the system.”
The drumline now works in a way that streamlines prior processes, using a combination of motorized and gravity conveyors and two robotics arms (one for drum palletizing and the other for filling). The system also utilizes an automated pallet dispenser. All work together in automated unison to fill stainless totes, poly Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and steel drums full of in-demand Soltex products.
Contributing vastly to the improvement of Soltex, De La Rosa says “the new system allows us to double our packaging throughput which aids in growth in the coming years.” A typical drum can be filled in about a minute, and a full truck load of drums (96 drums) can be filled within a few hours depending on the material, he explains. Another key piece of the improvement puzzle made possible with the drumline is addressing safety concerns. The reduction of human interaction with the system, most simply, increases overall safety.
The addition of drumline functionality is also improving traceability and accuracy; allowing the company to better serve key markets and perpetuate continuous improvement. If you’re interested in learning more about our operations, we welcome all customers, prospects, industry folks and associated services that support the operation to take a site tour. We’re confident that our first-hand experience will give you a better sense of what we do here at Soltex.
Meet the Team: Anh Dinh
Soltex employees are a large part of the continued success we find as a company. From our sales, to business operations teams, and even quality control; the individuals who perform these functions are essential. Anh Dinh currently works as a Quality Analysis/Quality Control Chemist and recently shared with us a bit more about his time with Soltex and his life beyond the lab.
Now in his eighth year with Soltex, Dinh performs a variety of tasks that are necessary for Soltex to continue producing and distributing high-quality chemicals worldwide. He is responsible for communicating and analyzing the quality control of substances and ultimately reviews and approves the quality of end products. He also takes part in the continuous innovation within Soltex by evaluating and sampling methodologies of technologies to determine their usefulness. In this role, attention to detail is critical as is the ability to lead a team and Din excels at both.
Dinh established a career in the chemical industry immediately following college. He describes the R&D (research and development) green technologies project as the most interesting thing he’s worked on in recent times. This project directly involved finding new ways for clean energy innovation at Soltex. And while this is by no means a solution to climate change, it’s a step in the right direction and wouldn’t be possible without individuals like Din.
The sheer volume of work within a busy chemical solutions company, Dinh details, can be a challenge to keep up with. Yet, he has succeeded in not only keeping up over the years, but in going above and beyond to serve Soltex customers. Success, he says is “when I don’t have any customer complaints about the quality of our products.” Such a focus on serving the customer is something we continue to see as a commonality among Soltex employees, which is key in setting us apart from other suppliers. Dinh attributes much of his success in the workplace to his leadership and problem-solving skills.
Outside of work Dinh enjoys fishing and going on vacation with his family to tropical destinations like Hawaii. He also enjoys indulging in Japanese cuisine and as a Houston resident he is a loyal fan of the Texans football team.
New Technologies and Connections at TechAdvantage Expo: Soltex Recap
Soltex attends many industry tradeshows throughout the year, and each one has a specific focus and purpose. One such event the company attended recently was the 2023 TechAdvantage Expo in Nashville, Tennessee. This tradeshow is focused on technology and innovation in the utility industry, making it an ideal event for Soltex to network and gather intelligence on new trends and technologies.
The main goal for Soltex in attending TechAdvantage was to connect with cooperative utilities, pole treaters, transformer service companies, and other industry professionals. The team hoped to build new relationships, generate leads, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry.
Mike Bonn from the Soltex team was able to engage with a variety of attendees and gather valuable information. While Soltex did not have a booth at the event, Bonn was able to connect with individuals from other companies and attend informative sessions. “TechAdvantage provided us opportunities to learn about new technologies and products, particularly EV charger cooling, and to make new connections with other attendees.”
At the show, one of the product lines that garnered the most interest was the HyVolt line of transformer liquids, which Soltex distributes for Ergon. The product line includes the HyVolt II and C50A naphthenic-based mineral oils along with the new HyVolt NE and SE which are ester-based biodegradable liquids. The demand for transformers across North America is very high and so there were many inquiries from manufacturers and utilities. Additionally, Soltex manufactures copper naphthenate which is one of a few options for utility pole preservation and was the topic of discussion for many pole treaters and inspection companies. With the emergence of Electric Vehicles and the required charging systems, there was much discussion of new opportunities for Soltex’s dielectric cooling liquids.
Soltex attended the TechAdvantage tradeshow in Nashville to learn more about the state of the industry, connect with colleagues, and how they can better serve their customers. Specifically, the team gained important knowledge about the shift to new wood preservation treatment options in the utility pole market as well as the challenges that transformer manufacturers face in keeping up with high demand. This insight helped Soltex reach their goals for attending TechAdvantage.
Soltex: A Look Back
2022 was a year of action for Soltex as the chemical industry seemed to swiftly pick up speed again after a few years of necessary adjustments due to the pandemic. From the growth of multiple teams to a busy schedule of conferences and trade shows, product developments and some necessary fun among it all, we’re glad to be wrapping up another fantastic year.
The year brought several changes and additions to Soltex operations. With an inside sales team being established initially in 2020, 2022 brought more growth and success to this specific department with valued Soltex employees Celina Desvard and Matthew Massoud. Their work became a particularly integral part of Soltex’s continued growth and success in the chemical industry as they spent their days selling and promoting Soltex’s innovative offerings through relationship building, and maintaining relationships with existing customers.
New additions beyond the inside sales team also included two interns who joined us over the summer, Christian Gilmore and Mia Traugott. Bringing dynamic and helpful energies to the team, both seized opportunities at Soltex to further their knowledge and gain experience.
New partnerships with two new supply chain partners, Transflo and Wolflake must also be noted. These new partnerships allowed us to fill gaps in our supply chain and work toward further success and maintenance of our reputation of providing the best service possible to all customers. We also continued to see incredible contributions coming from team members across numerous departments, from site and warehouse management to sales and marketing.
The Soltex schedule of conferences and trade shows also ramped up significantly this year. Team members were kept very busy connecting with each other as well as other industry professionals. From Florida, to California and even up north to Canada; we strengthened our presence within the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD), the Electricity, Distribution, Information Systems and Technology Conference (EDIST), and the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), just to name a few.
We can’t let this blog conclude without highlighting the Soltex company culture and mentioning some of the fun and comradery that was also had in 2022. As a sponsor of the Next Wave Energy Partners Charity Golf Tournament, our team was thrilled to be a part of the astonishing $225,000 that was raised and donated to Camp Hope, an organization dedicated to helping combat veterans and their families through the invisible wounds of war. The purchase of a Soltex cooker trailer affectionately named “the Catalyst” was also a highlight, being an essential part of company functions like the golf tournament, celebrations, and other gatherings.
Throughout the year, Soltex employees also enjoyed getting together for other charitable events like the earth day clean up, put on by our Canadian-based team members. This past September, members of the Soltex team participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) annual fundraiser “Out of the Darkness Walk” in Morris County, New Jersey.
This year, the Morris County Walk raised over $76,000 and the entire New Jersey chapter of AFSP has raised $1 million to date for this important cause. And last but not least, the highly anticipated Soltex Halloween costume contest and festivities were a massive success.
As the year comes to an end, we are appreciative of this time to reflect on all the success 2022 brought to Soltex and are excited to take on 2023 with an equal amount of motivation and drive.
Soltex NACD Membership Proves Valuable
In 2019 Soltex became a member of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (commonly referred to as NACD). The NACD is an international association made up of chemical distributors and their supply-chain partners and serves as an incredible platform for companies and individuals in the chemical industry to connect and learn while always maintaining the highest industry standards. With a mission to “enhance and communicate the professionalism and stewardship of the chemical distribution industry,” Soltex has already seen immense value in their NACD membership in the nearly four years since joining.
Becoming a member of this well-known and respected organization was a seamless process thanks to the help of the NACD membership verification team and third party auditors. Upholding long-term NACD membership involves a renewal process that takes place every three years. HSEQ Specialist at Soltex, Liz Thompson explains that members have many requirements that they have to continue to meet, including things like “providing evidence of our safety and training records, community outreach, and continued environmental improvements.”
Soltex’s NACD membership has numerous benefits. Advantages to members include networking and educational opportunities, along with regulatory compliance assistance, and even the ability to submit thoughts on pending legislation relevant to the chemical distribution industry. There are many networking and educational opportunities to take advantage of including the annual conference, an in-person event that takes place over a weekend each fall. There are also tradeshows and conferences like the annual ChemEdge Tradeshow and Conference which boasts a hefty list of attendees, presenters and sponsors. Additionally, there are numerous workshops and webinars that frequently occur throughout the year, covering a wide range of topics from hazard communication to women leaders in the industry. Programs through NACD like The Responsible Distribution program also provide an excellent framework to continue to grow and improve business.
When asked if being a part of NACD has presented any unique opportunities beyond the robust aforementioned list of benefits, Thompson explained that members of Soltex management team have even taken part in Washington fly-ins where they have “the opportunity to meet with members of Congress.”
Being a part of NACD is something that Soltex is not only proud of, but something that has brought countless benefits and opportunities for continuous improvement to the company. With a recently renewed membership, we look forward to continuing to connect with other industry leaders while working toward further growth and progress.
Meet The Team: New Year Changes
Soltex recently made internal changes to organization.
Please congratulate Matthew Massoud on his move to the newly created position of Manager-Information Technology, reporting into Glenn Bohny, President. Technology is moving so fast that we felt the need to put focused attention on it so that Soltex can be properly positioned to gain necessary efficiencies. Matthew will be looking at optimizing Soltex processes in order to be as efficient as possible while continuing to exceed our clients’ expectations. He will work with our different internal departments to help identify and implement both hardware and software improvements needed across our corporate platform so that we are moving forward with a planned and streamlined approach.
The Soltex sales team would like to congratulate Ryan Kenefic on his promotion to Inside Sales and welcome Ryan to the sales team. Ryan started with Soltex in Customer Service, moving into team lead after his first year of service. Ryan will step into Matthew Massoud’s Inside Sales territory with Matthew moving into his new role in IT. We look forward to Ryan joining the sales team and know that his efforts will only add value as he has a passion for serving our customers and ultimately helping grow Soltex.
John Grimes – Director of Sales
Mike Sokolowski, Supply Chain manager, has recently added the responsibility of managing our Customer Service department. Mike has quickly gained the respect of the entire organization with his excellent work in Supply Chain and we feel that with his unique skillset and hard work ethic, Mike will no doubt be able to manage this fine group we have serving our customer needs. Mike will continue reporting to Joseph Massoud.
As a result of the above move with Mike S., please note that Alicia Baltazar will move full-time back to the supply chain department as the PCA Inventory Manager. Her expertise and experience will continue to be an invaluable asses to Soltex, and we are thrilled to have her fully committed towards the growing PCA business and supply chain group. We thank her for her many contributions over the years to our Customer Service department.
Mike Sokolowski – Supply Chain Manager
Happy New Year to you all!
