From two brothers and a cart to over 7 mil sq. ft. of warehousing space and locations in nine states, Holman shows that providing Extraordinary Service brings results.
THE HOLMAN NEWSLETTER – Q1 2024
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ONLINE EDITION
Team Anniversaries
Team anniversaries mark important milestones in careers at Holman. Join us in celebrating our Team Members who had anniversaries in January, February, and March of 2024.
Safety Shortcuts: More Risk, No Gain
The Holman Director of Environmental Health & Safety explains why taking shortcuts can lead to problems for Team Members and customers.
Introducing Three New Newsletter Sections
The Business Development, Operations, and People Support Teams are excited to provide new updates and explain how these departments move Holman forward.
BRIEN'S DESK
Celebrating 160 Years of Excellence
As we mark our 160th anniversary of continuous operations, it’s a time for celebration, reflection, and anticipation of what the future holds. From humble beginnings in 1864 using draft horses and carts to 2024 and our recognition as a Top 100 Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Provider with a Team of over 1,400 dedicated professionals, our 160-year journey has been nothing short of Extraordinary!
Holman Logistics has survived during World Wars I and II, regional conflicts, the Cold War, Vietnam, and the Iraq Wars. Our resilience has also been tested during economic challenges and pandemics. Through it all, we’ve become stronger, more adaptable, and committed to our Core Values as the foundation for our organization.
Our Core Values guide everything we do.
We prioritize Safety, striving to create a work environment where everyone feels secure. We Show Respect to one another and believe in Helping Each Other to be Better, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and mutual respect. We Serve each other and our communities with humility and dedication, and we are committed to providing an Extraordinary Service Experience to our customers.
Our leadership has been one of the cornerstones of our success.
Our leaders have imparted wisdom and values that have guided us through the decades. Herb Clark Jr., my great uncle, was a pilot in the early 1940s but stayed home to help lead Holman through World War II while his brother Leonard (my grandfather) flew P-38s and P-51s in North Africa. Herb often said, “Work hard, do right, and fear nothing.” These words continue to resonate within our organization today.
To work hard is to commit fully to our tasks, ensuring efficient operations as we handle the products that pass through our warehouses. To do right means to uphold integrity in every action, ensuring that every decision benefits not only Holman but also our partners, our customers, and the communities we serve. If we do these things, we won’t have anything to fear, knowing that we’ve done our best and provided great service to our customers.
On May 23, we remembered my father Bob Downie who would have turned 72. He believed in the value of every person at Holman. He often emphasized that every role is critical, articulating how important every job is to our success. His belief that we are responsible for each other’s well-being and the overall experience of our customers has continually inspired us to uphold a high standard of service and support.
The heartbeat of Holman Logistics has always been our incredible Team.
Our dedication, to each other and our collective mission, is what sets us apart. Over the years, we’ve seen countless stories of Team Members going above and beyond to support one another. Whether it’s rallying around a colleague facing personal struggles, stepping in to help with unexpected issues like plumbing disasters or house fires, or offering a helping hand in times of need, our Team exemplifies what it means to be a family. This spirit of mutual support extends to our professional lives as well. Many of our Team Members have grown and advanced their careers over decades, moving up through the ranks thanks to the encouragement and mentorship of their colleagues.
Our relationships with our customers are the bedrock of our business.
We take pride in the long-standing partnerships we’ve cultivated. Our collaboration with GE Appliances spans five decades, and our work with Scott Paper, now Kimberly-Clark, is entering its seventh decade. These enduring relationships are a testament to our reliability and integrity as well as the trust that our customers place in us.
Our commitment to our Brand Promise to provide Extraordinary Service has not gone unnoticed. We have been honored with numerous awards from our customers, most notably from GE Appliances. Our Team has proudly won the ADC of the Year award multiple times, a testament to our unwavering dedication to providing top-notch service.
Our stellar reputation has paved the way for new opportunities. Our exceptional performance with Kimberly-Clark in Arkansas led to securing the Westrock Coffee business, and our reputation in the Pacific Northwest helped us win the Dole business in Georgia. These achievements underscore the strength and reliability of the Holman brand.
As we look to the future, I am filled with optimism and excitement.
The values that have guided us for the past 160 years will continue to be our North Star. By staying true to these principles, we can look forward to a future that is even brighter than our past.
To everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey—our Team Members, customers, and partners—thank you. Your hard work, dedication, and trust have been instrumental in our success. Here’s to 160 years of excellence and continued growth, innovation, and shared success.
ANNIVERSARIES
A Message from Brien
When people join the Holman organization, they learn that Holman is more than a Team—it is a family. It is a privilege to honor Team Members who have recently celebrated their first year with Holman. We also applaud those who’ve been with us 5, 10, 15, and 20 years! In this issue, we recognize Team Members with anniversaries from January through March 2024. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
30 years
I started working for Holman in 1994. Two co-workers told me they had worked for Holman for 30-plus years, and I could hardly believe it. Now, here I am! I like the work, and I enjoy my Holman Team.
Gurprit Singh
20 years
The genuine interest in each Team Member was noticeable from my first interview. Two decades later, that initial impression has proven true. It’s gratifying to see colleagues rise in the ranks, a testament to the Holman commitment to nurturing talent.
Michael Floriani
15 years
I have met a lot of great people at Holman Logistics over the years, and the friendships that have been created will last a lifetime.
Jeffrey Carter
My greatest challenge at Holman has been learning to keep my Team motivated and focused. We reached this goal together by being Team players and helping one another. Together we create an Extraordinary Service Experience.
Israel Trejo
I enjoy helping where I can. I like stepping in for my Holman teammates when they are out. I like having the ability and training to take on most any job. It feels good to be a part of something great. It’s worth the effort.
David Gardner
One of my best memories here at Holman is when management took us to Kent 1 Speed Go Kart Racing. I ended up in third place. That was a really fun time. The Holman Team is great!
Maruicio Caldera
10 years
5 years
- Terje Stoneman 1/2/2019
- Surabhi Sansgiri 1/21/2019
- Davienne Williams 1/27/2019
- Gene Brown 1/27/2019
- Charles Blair 2/10/2019
- Jaime Greaux 2/11/2019
- Gene Porche 2/11/2019
- Jesse Contreras 2/11/2019
- Joshua Allen 2/11/2019
- James Reuter 2/14/2019
- Jacob Harmon 2/17/2019
- Lloyd Jenkins 2/17/2019
- Christopher Baker 2/18/2019
- Brandon Collins 2/18/2019
- Harry Gurley 3/1/2019
- Carl Taves 3/3/2019
- Edward Line 3/4/2019
- Paigen Gates 3/10/2019
- Chanel Milne 3/18/2019
- Joshua Broyles 3/24/2019
- Damon Mixson 3/25/2019
- Joseph Ackerman 3/25/2019
- Tavaris Pullins 3/26/2019
- Logan Jessup 3/26/2019
- Paul Atha 3/31/2019
- Elizabeth Craven 3/31/2019
- Mitchell Gaddy 3/31/2019
- Sonja Blalock 3/31/2019
- Steven Morgan 3/31/2019
1 year
- Cinthia Teran-Rojas 1/1/2023
- Jeffrey Muoio 1/1/2023
- Zyree Pope 1/3/2023
- Erick Sanchez 1/3/2023
- Edward Sapp 1/4/2023
- Mark Hudgens 1/4/2023
- Michael Hutchinson 1/9/2023
- Michael Daye 1/9/2023
- Timothy Haynes 1/9/2023
- William Cianferano 1/9/2023
- Yugpinder Kaur 1/10/2023
- Deborah Williams 1/16/2023
- Antwon Grant 1/23/2023
- Shaunie Byrd 1/23/2023
- Logan Whitworth 1/29/2023
- Jacob Calica 1/30/2023
- Khristian Widhalm 1/30/2023
- Donald Slagle 1/30/2023
- Jordan Taylor 1/30/2023
- Kimberly Miller 1/30/2023
- Martina Negron 1/30/2023
- Tracy David 1/30/2023
- Faoa Penitito 1/31/2023
- Octavia Redd 2/2/2023
- Logan Scherer 2/6/2023
- Carson Springer 2/13/2023
- Dustin Collins 2/19/2023
- Bryant Robertson 2/21/2023
- Shonta Dobbins 2/23/2023
- Anil Dass 2/23/2023
- Leah Castanon 2/26/2023
- Sabrina Mintz 2/27/2023
- Michael Wright 2/27/2023
- Allison Latture 2/27/2023
- Jose Escalante 3/1/2023
- Shannon West 3/1/2023
- Marysol Avila Mendoza 3/5/2023
- Robert Meeks 3/12/2023
- William Barnett 3/12/2023
- Selena Morgan 3/13/2023
- Wilfredo Torres 3/13/2023
- Gordon Kaohu 3/16/2023
- Jason Willis 3/16/2023
- Riley Hunt 3/20/2023
- David Wagner 3/20/2023
- Jamsett Morgan 3/20/2023
- Michael Caggino 3/20/2023
- Michael Savage 3/20/2023
- Akeem Matthews 3/22/2023
- Marlet Ramirez Zuniga 3/26/2023
- Jermaine Brown 3/27/2023
- Michael Seago 3/27/2023
- Jorge Munguia 3/27/2023
- Priscilla Carmona 3/27/2023
- Tonami Karina Fuentes 3/27/2023
SAFETY FOCUS
Safety Shortcuts: More Risk, No Gain
Many of our recent safety incidents have one thing in common—the person involved was taking a shortcut when the incident occurred. A “safety shortcut” occurs when the person performing the task knowingly bypasses a step(s) to perform that task faster. Some common examples include:
- Not wearing PPE that is required for the task.
- Not wearing a seat belt while the lift is in motion.
- Intentionally placing unstable products, storing products on unserviceable pallets, or moving inadequately wrapped products inside of a storage bay.
- Moving products by hand when equipment should be used.
- Most Lock-Out/Tag-Out violations.
- Not looking in the direction of travel / not ensuring that the intended travel path is clear.
In each of these examples, the person involved has made a conscious decision to skip or bypass a required part of the task; they have decided to take a “safety shortcut.”
Safety shortcuts come at a cost, and we pay the price in injuries, damaged products, and/or damaged equipment. If you read the above examples again, you’ll see that each of those behaviors—based on the causes of actual safety incidents in the last 30 days—places either the person involved or their coworkers at heightened risk for injury. Maybe we can get away without getting injured this time, or the next time, but if we continue to take safety shortcuts, our luck will eventually run out.
One of the things I love most about Holman Logistics is that most of us truly care about doing a great job and taking care of one another. Our customers recognize our Extraordinary Service efforts regularly—and that dedicated level of service is a key ingredient in the secret sauce that produces excellence across our network. Our processes and procedures have been developed over time to keep us safe AND to provide our customers with the service Holman is known for.
Think about it this way: how much more difficult is it for us to provide Extraordinary Service when one of us is injured or when we damage a customer’s products?
The time we ‘save’ when we take a safety shortcut isn’t really saved at all. We don’t get more trailers loaded and unloaded when we don’t buckle our seatbelts. We don’t get off work or go on break any faster from time saved by not putting on a pair of gloves. Wrapping a pallet is much faster (and safer) than restacking a toppled pallet.
We need to look at taking safety shortcuts this way—we aren’t being more efficient; all we are doing is accepting more risk to do the same task. So, please, let’s stop taking safety shortcuts.
GREAT IDEAS, GREAT TEAMWORK
The Holman Team excels at putting our Core Values into action in the workplace. Congratulations to recent B2 Savings Ideas and Behavior Observations drawing winners!
B2 Savings Ideas
November – Paul Heaslet (Conway, AR)
December – Johnathan Baker (Mid-South, AR)
January – Darlene Daffron (Mid-South, AR)
February – Althea Bedolla (Emporia, KS)
March – Kristy Cox (Maumelle, AR)
April – Marlene Kessler (Mid-South, AR)
More Safety News from Around the Network
Behavior Observations
March:
1st place – Lacey Smith (Emporia, KS)
2nd place – Altin Frashni (Jacksonville, FL)
3rd place – Joel Perez (Commerce, GA)
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Holman is Growing
I’d like to share some of our new customers as well as expansions for current customers.
We’ve added two large dedicated warehousing operations: Westrock Coffee in Conway, Arkansas, and GE Appliances near Greenville, South Carolina.
Westrock includes all our major service offerings: dedicated warehousing, manufacturing logistics, and dedicated transportation (shuttle). The Westrock business, coupled with our existing Kimberly-Clark Maumelle and Conway operations, makes Holman the largest 3PL operating in Arkansas.
The GEA facility near Greenville represents continuous growth with a company Holman has served for over 42 years.
We are also adding new customers to our multi-client operations in the Pacific Northwest–six this year, more on deck!
Here are those added so far:
- Crown Packaging – packaging company that supports local businesses.
- T&T Supermarkets – specialty Asian foods grocery that is part of the largest grocery chain in Canada. Holman will be supporting their first U.S. store.
- Packaging – packaging company that supports Nordstroms Department Stores and a few other recognizable companies.
- Sunrise Foods – organic supplier of ingredients to major food processors in the Pacific Northwest.
- Trival- electric tricycle/bicycle company that supplies Costco online shoppers with the latest electric tricycle technology.
- Port Royal Foods – major rice supplier to Costco. Next time you’re in Costco and see Jasmine Rice, that’s the stuff!
I appreciate your dedication to providing Extraordinary Service!
OPERATIONS
New GEA Facility in South Carolina
I’m pleased to announce the opening of our fifth GE Appliances facility, a 436,000 sq. ft. facility near Greenville. This location is the East Coast hub for import/redistribution to other distribution centers. Our other GEA ADCs distribute product directly to retailers.
Holman Director of Operations Jason Pettit led this massive project with GEA, from designing the building layout, working with People Support during hiring, and developing a training schedule, to booking travel for Team Members coming to assist with training.
Our first two hiring phases included 22 MHE operators who spent several weeks training at our Commerce, Georgia facility. Team Members also traveled from Perryville, Maryland, Jacksonville, Florida, and Commerce to support training/operations as the building opened on March 11. Special thanks to Zach Lord for leading training classes and to People Support Team Members Shailie Steele, Davie Reed, Alex Harbin, and Christina Horton for ensuring we had the Team necessary to get this operation off the ground on schedule.
At full capacity, we anticipate 80 Team Members handling an average of 65 loads combined in/out per day. Most outbound loads will ship to Holman-managed locations on the East Coast.
Key to our early success in Greenville were Holman Team Members who relocated to help with this startup including Josh Pace from Commerce (Operations Manager); Emily Andreasen from Perryville (Inventory Manager); Tyler Schulte from Auburn, Washington (Supervisor); and Terrell Tuten from Dupont, Washington (Supervisor). Their knowledge of GEA and ability to infuse Holman culture into a new facility have been crucial to our success.
It took commitment and resources from across our network to make this happen. Thanks to everyone involved!
PEOPLE SUPPORT
People Support Survey to Make Holman Better
When we changed the name of our Human Resources department to “People Support,” our entire Team was supportive of the change. Holman sees our highest priority to be serving YOU, and while there are many ways to do that, one of the best ways is to be great listeners!
In the spirit of listening, we are preparing to roll out our All-Team Member Survey. Planned for August of this year, the survey will ask for your opinions about leadership, benefits, and other helpful topics. What is the purpose of this survey? Frankly, as our Core Values state, we always want Holman to BE BETTER!
- We want to hear about the things you care about.
- We need to know how you feel about your job and management.
- We want you to tell us ways to make your lives easier.
- We want to understand what benefits you want to see added or changed.
This survey will provide us with insight into how we can serve you in more meaningful ways. It will remain completely anonymous. Upon conclusion of the survey, we will review it and communicate the results back to you. These results will help us know how to shape the future of People Support, and Holman at large, guiding us to a bright and fulfilling future.
As we prepare to launch the survey in August, we ask that you review your contact information in UKG and update your email, phone number, and address as needed. If you require assistance, please reach out to your local People Support Representative, and they will be happy to help.
As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts with us at any time, on any subject. We are always open to listening; all members of Holman management and People Support are here to help you. We thank you for your willingness to help us BE BETTER.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE NETWORK
Holman Earns Five Awards for Excellence from GE Appliances
Holman Teams in Auburn, Washington, Jacksonville, Florida, and Perryville, Maryland have reason to be proud. At a recent awards ceremony, they brought home some of the most prestigious 2022 and 2023 distribution center awards given out by long-time Holman customer GE Appliances.
The Auburn Team earned the 2022 Leadership & Culture award. The Jacksonville Team gained two awards: the Customer Focused and the Excellence in Safety awards for 2022. Finally, the Perryville Team came home with two prestigious honors: 2022 Operational Excellence and 2023 Appliance Distribution Center (ACD) of the Year.
Holman Leads in Green Initiatives in 160th Year
Holman Leads in Green Initiatives in 160th YearFor the last two years, Inbound Logistics Magazine has named Holman one of its 75 Green Supply Chain Partners. This award requires winners to make concrete efforts to mitigate environmental impacts. Many Holman-owned and managed warehouses feature LED lighting, electric vehicles, recycling and waste management, and other initiatives to reduce potential environmental effects.
Holman received special recognition from Inbound Logistics for the Pacific Northwest transportation facility being an EPA SmartWays Emissions program partner and for a Holman-managed facility in Maumelle, Arkansas receiving “land-fill free” designation, meaning less than 1% of waste there ends up in a landfill.
Most recently, the public warehouses in Washington state received organic warehouse certification for the third year in a row. Certified organic warehouses and distribution centers adhere to strict rules for the storage and management of organic foods to prevent contamination and preserve quality.
OUR CORE VALUES
Holman Westrock Team Enjoys Eclipse and 1st Shipment
Emporia Team Saves Pop Tabs for Ronald McDonald House
The Team at Emporia, Kansas is living the Core Value of Serving Others. Starting in April, Team Members are spending several months saving pop tabs (the tabs on the tops of soda cans used to open the cans) to raise money for local Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Ronald McDonald House Charities provide free room and board around the country for families staying near the hospitals where their children are receiving medical treatment.
It only takes $25 to provide a family one night at a Ronald McDonald House, and Emporia Team Members have an ambitious goal to save at least 10 pounds of tabs, or at least $1,000 worth, this year.
Perryville Team Supports Ray of Hope
The Holman Team in Perryville, Maryland spent this last January gathering good used clothing and other supplies for the Ray of Hope Mission in Port Deposit, Maryland. This non-profit Christian outreach center provides assistance—including clothing, food, and other necessities—for struggling area families. Thank you, Perryville Team, for representing the Holman Core Value of Serving Others in your community!
Did You Know?
Holman Commerce Team Members Celebrate and Serve
The Commerce, Georgia Holman Team celebrated a milestone anniversary early this year—five years in operation! The festivities included a breakfast and special honors for those Team Members who have been at the facility since the opening.
Then in March, Commerce Team Member Ben Carlan represented Holman Core Values by partnering with students from the University of North Georgia branch of Beta Alpha Psi Honor Fraternity to prepare and deliver Easter baskets to residents at The Phoenix at Lake Lanier Senior Living Center.
An Early Welcome to Some of the Newest Members of the Holman Family
Cancer Champion!
