News

At AMS, we have a strong focus on environmental sustainability. After a very dedicated year, in 2023 AMS achieved carbon neutral recognition. Throughout the year we worked in every area we could to have an impact upon our footprint, from energy use to sustainable and biodegradable packaging to plastics recycling. We are back at it in 2024 with high goals to do even better.

One thing we are proud of… we offer our clients a number of sustainable packaging options as we know online customers are concerned about the packaging their products arrive in. The customer asks… “Will it add to plastics pollution in a landfill, or can it be recycled?” Sustainability of packaging is increasingly playing a role in the online customer’s buying choice.

International Congress

January 26^th is designated International Environmental Education Day. The aim of the day is to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote sustainable practices, and encourage people to take action for the well-being of the environment – our shared Earth.

The history of this day is as follows: “This day dates back to June 1972, when the United Nations held a conference in Stockholm, Sweden, on Human Environment. At this conference, it was discussed that certain common principles and standards should be followed so that we can preserve and improve the environment today. Following that, many countries gathered in the International Workshop on Environment, held in Belgrade, wherein the “Belgrade Charter” was published to illustrate the essential demands of environmental education.” [LINK to the Congress website]

International Environmental Education Day is observed all over the world. This year’s congress is in Abu Dhabi, entitled the 12th World Environmental Education Congress. It takes place from January 29th to February 2^nd.

A brief quote from the Zawya website tells us: “As a progression of the pivotal discussions from COP28, the congress, featuring the participation of IUCN, will focus on the power of education in confronting the Triple Planetary Crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.”

The article goes on the list the leaders planning to attend and concludes with the following: “With the UAE targeting a significant 22% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027 and recent measures including banning single-use plastics and waste-to-zero campaigns, the country is committed to acting responsibly by actively addressing global challenges and charting its sustainable future.”

Single Use Plastics

At AMS we join them in their concerns – climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Our efforts toward becoming carbon neutral speak to our concern for climate change, and our annual contribution to the Rainforest Trust, specifically the Brazilian Amazon Fund to stop deforestation, is due to our concern for biodiversity loss.

We admire the UAE decision to ban single-use plastics – that is a big step! At AMS we provide all employees with refillable water bottles, and of course we properly collect and recycle any plastics that are used in our facilities. And we are doing one more significant effort to recycle plastic stretch film. As a fulfillment company, we receive, at all of our warehouses, shipments all day every day of pallets protected by plastic stretch film. Our recycling companies refused to accept this plastic and as a result it was ending up in landfills. Members of our Green Team set out to solve this issue, and after a number of phone calls and inquiries, planning and some purchasing, we solved it.

The AMS Green Team saw that the plastic stretch film had to be accumulated in large quantities and baled before it would be accepted for recycling. As we mentioned in a previous blog, we purchased 92 waste bins, allowing the warehouses to accumulate 10k pounds and bale it for recycling. As of this date, we have accumulated three 10-15k loads of baled stretch film which will be recycled into long-lasting products. Those products may be composite lumber, which has many uses, or it could be reprocessed into small pellets used to make containers, crates, pipes and many other items.

One of our Green Team members is also a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. This membership gives her the expertise to make recommendations to AMS clients of sustainable, earth friendly, eco-friendly packaging for their products. Many of our clients do choose sustainable packaging for their customers, and this is a Win for all of us and our shared Earth.

Environmental Education

The International Environmental Education Day organizers offer to us their recommendations as to why this day of education is important.

We learn more about our home…

“With this holiday, the environment is promoted, and people feel motivated to learn more and do something to help. It’s so humbling to realize that the earth is a beautiful place and one that should be preserved.”

We can be part of the action-taking…

“Once we are more aware, we can take steps to act according to the benefits of the environment. It’s always good to convince others, but it is more meaningful when we walk the talk.”

We help our home help us…

“As there is interdependence between man and the environment, it does benefit us to connect and come up with solutions to the issues our environment faces. When given more thought, it’s just like making sure our home is a livable and safe space to reside in.”

One more thing we would like to offer our readers is a link to a list of environmental science scholarships at leading schools and institutes in the country, for the betterment of the environment and our future. [LINK]

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AMS Fulfillment is proud to be a B Corporation. We strive to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of December: Norman R., Saul M., Naidelin G., Reina G., Daniel C., Matthew W., Martina P., Ramaesh N., Steven Charles Z., and Rachel P.

In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them. Every month we see our employees working hard with such outstanding dedication and we are continually impressed by the results they produce!

Congratulations to this month’s winners! All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch!

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Norman R., Inventory Receiving Specialist I (11/16/2022) HQ Valencia, CA

Norman was impressing from day one. He is matriculate, observant, attentive and friendly. This is one of many reasons why we moved him over to HQ, and now joining the forklift driving ranks. His good character, wanting to learn more, and asking all the right questions is what makes him a great employee. Norman works hard every day and is always doing what’s best for the company. All around, he is a great worker. We are glad to have him on the team.

Saul M., Operations Supervisor II (09/15/2021) LIV Valencia, CA

Saul always comes to work with full intentions of keeping our employees happy along with making sure our clients are happy. He is our volunteer rep., and he makes sure that everyone in the warehouse is aware of all the company events and does a great job at getting everyone’s participation. Every day, he does not go home until he has made sure that every order for every client that could possibly ship has shipped. Saul is a very important part of our team, and we totally appreciate his full dedication to our employees and clients.

Naidelin G., Operations Associate II (03/21/2022) WIL Valencia, CA

Naidelin works in the returns department, and she is an outstanding employee who makes a positive impact on our team. She is a hard worker who always goes beyond the goals set for our department. Naidelin walks in with a smile and is always kind to everyone. You can rely on her to come in early or work on the weekend for any department. Her work ethic speaks for her, and she is our choice for Employee of the Month.

Reina G., Operations Supervisor I (07/24/2011) WIT Valencia, CA.

Since recently transferring to WIT, Reina has been of great help, especially during the Black Friday week. She has managed and worked the floor while continuing to do many other responsibilities. Regardless of the long hours worked and the pressure to get the orders out, she always had a positive and friendly attitude. She is always willing to help the team to pick, ship and resolve any other issues or questions the team might have. Her contribution to the team does not go unnoticed. Thank you, Reina!

Daniel C., Data Integration Analyst I (03/27/2015) IT Valencia, CA

Recently when a bi-coastal client experienced a system crash affecting their orders, Daniel proactively stepped in to manually import thousands of orders. It is worth noting that this particular client, operates through various channels and possesses a significant level of complexity. Despite the time-consuming nature of this task, Daniel handled it diligently and professionally, demonstrating exceptional composure while others may have struggled. He definitely deserves Employee of the Month.

Matthew W., Safety and Security Manager (11/06/2018) Safety, Valencia, CA

Matthew is responsible for maintaining the safety and security for AMS.  Matthew’s position requires him to ensure that all employees are working and operating equipment properly to reduce the risk of injury to themselves and others, make sure that any safety related maintenance issue is brought to the attention of Facilities immediately for repairs, see that all potential hazards are identified and remedied, oversee warehouses are secured properly, monitor cameras, issue name badges and keys for employees, manage after hours security patrols, respond to employee on the job injuries, and the occasional emergency 911 call when an employee is not feeling well. The list of his responsibilities is long, and Matthew puts all his energy into each duty to ensure everything is safe.

Because a Safety and Security Manager position often requires pointing out everything that is being done wrong and needs correcting, many are viewed as a “Grinch.” Matthew, however, has been able to earn the respect of warehouse management and workers alike, by conducting safety meetings that include team members from each warehouse to participate during safety walks, as a way of educating and expanding the number of safe workers at AMS, showing that he values everyone’s input. Everyone at AMS knows that they are safer, and that they have a voice in safety because of the commitment that Matthew demonstrates every day.

Martina P., Inventory Receiving Manager I (09/18/2023) Churchmans, DE

Martina is a new inbound and inventory manager. She is pretty tuff and stands on business. She gives 100% every day. During our voluntary holiday gift exchange, she made sure that no team member was left behind and everyone left with a gift, even if they didn’t sign up. She also has been working closely with me and the receiving lead to make sure we get ahead and are doing well in our positions. She is very deserving of employee of the month.

Ramaesh N., Inventory Receiving Supervisor I (10/31/2022) Newark, DE

Recently Ramaesh (Meash) was promoted to a supervisor position, and he has handled all of the responsibilities and any complications being thrown at him. He has been with the company for a little over a year and has just been climbing his way up! Starting as a picker/ shipper on the floor, Meash stood out right away, putting out order volume that for most would take two people to do, but he consistently gave his best effort all day long. Not long after, he started to remember sku numbers and locations for all the client’s products, right off the top of his head. He always pays close attention to details and finds solutions to problems. Meash is killing it. We are looking forward to this coming year with him in his new role. Thank you Meash!

Steven Charles Z., Inventory Receiving Supervisor I (12/08/2021) New Castle, DE, Boulden

Charles has gone above and beyond his own day to day responsibilities to help increase his depth of knowledge in other areas of the warehouse, and he takes the initiative on his own in most cases to develop cross functionality. He has also mentored our new inventory supervisor which has helped her grow into her new role here at AMS.

Rachel P., Operations Lead I (03/31/2022) New Holland, PA

Rachel displayed strong qualities of a leader during a very challenging time. She was present well before the start of the day and stayed late. She is an excellent motivator, operates at a fast pace, and displays great critical thinking. Thanks, Rachel, for all that you contribute every day! 

To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!

A mentor is a person who is intuitive enough to guide a less experienced person along a path the mentor has walked, or, better said, someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. A mentor shares experience at the right time, and in the right way so that it is received, so the younger or less experienced person can learn. We know who our mentors are, and we know how precious the help they give.

January is ‘Mentor Month’, January 17 is ‘International Mentoring Day’, and January 21 is ‘Thank Your Mentor Day’. With all of these commemorations, it’s time to look into mentorship.

Our first step was to go to the definition of the word. What does the dictionary say a mentor is? The answer is, “… an experienced and trusted adviser.” A second definition is… “an experienced person in a company, college, or school who trains and counsels new employees or students.” Some synonyms are adviser, guide, confidant, counselor, consultant, therapist, trainer, teacher, tutor, coach and instructor.

Next we’ll offer an example of mentorship at AMS. Each week we feature an employee on our website, and a few weeks ago we interviewed Ignacio, Our AMS Receiving Supervisor. Quoting Ignacio:

“Three people who have been great inspirations to me in the company are Nacho, our fearless leader, for having the confidence in me to do the job right, Becky for being there to direct me to be better, and Steve for giving me the opportunity by hiring me and to be myself.”

Ignacio went on to say that he, too, is a mentor: “Overall, I aspire to help as many people as I can, and to grow with them personally and professionally, and in a positive environment.”

Here below are few more examples of who served as a mentor to whom. The full article is found at Evidence Based Mentoring [LINK].

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From the website we read the following:

“Musician Woody Guthrie, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children’s songs including “This Land is Your Land,” mentored fellow singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.  As a high school student in the 1950’s, Dylan listened to Guthrie’s music, eventually moving to New York City and befriending the musician.  Dylan played and wrote to his idol, which was often met with Guthrie’s approval.  In 1962, Dylan released “Song to Woody,” an ode to Guthrie.”

This one shows the value of a teacher:

“Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn was mentored by his high school civics teacher. He is an advocate of mentoring and has spoken about the importance of being a mentor. “I think a mentor gets a lot of satisfaction in a couple of ways. They’re doing something constructive, so they feel good about that. And when they see the results of this, with the young people they’re working with, it’s very, very rewarding,” Glenn said.”

A mentor can be a spiritual guide:

“Mother Teresa committed her life to helping others and was recognized as one of the most admirable people of the twentieth century, operating orphanages, AIDS hospices and other charities worldwide.  She led a remarkable and revered life but may not have achieved all that she did if it weren’t for her mentor, Father Michael van der Peet. The two met while waiting for a bus in Rome, and quickly developed a close friendship. They spoke regularly and confided in each other over the years.”

Nothing beats the mentoring of a parent:

“Retired basketball player and MENTOR board member Bill Russell played center for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969.  His mother was his greatest mentor. “My mother taught me to stand up for myself, to use my brainpower on my behalf,” he said. Russell’s mother died when he was twelve, but he continued to live through her guidance. “More strongly than ever, she stayed with me–in my thoughts, my goals, my aspirations… her presence, her teachings, remained with me when she was not around.’”

An incredible poet is mentored by an incredible poet:

“A leader of the transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson was perhaps best well-known for his essays concerning individualism and self-reliance. He mentored and worked closely with poet and transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau. When Thoreau graduated from Harvard University, the young writer was inspired by the older man’s views on the natural world, which would later influence Thoreau’s writings, most famously his master work on living in natural surroundings, Walden.”

Career mentoring is invaluable:

“Physicist and astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983.  Ride’s graduate school professor, Dr. Arthur Walker was her life-long mentor and initially encouraged her to apply to NASA’s astronaut corps. “He instilled confidence and made me believe that I could accomplish what I set out to accomplish,” Ride said.”

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These are inspiring stories, pointing to a truly valuable relationship that helps both people involved. At AMS there are mentor/mentee relationships in many departments. We are so grateful to our employees who respond to a co-worker’s need for guidance or helpful instruction with patience and a willingness to take the time and give guidance.

As we said in the opening paragraphs, January 21^st is ‘thank your mentor day’. We encourage readers to do exactly that – find a special way to thank your mentor for ‘being there’ for you and helping you learn and grow. And one more thing… consider being a mentor yourself!

We have been celebrating the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for enough years that we believe we know the story of what he did for America. The holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in January, and this year it falls on Dr. King’s actual birthday – January 15th. This year, 2024, would have been his 93rd birthday. Martin Luther King Day was established as a federal holiday in 1983 but was not observed until 1986.

Many have studied the story of Dr. King in school, and more than a few living today remember the events as they took place. We either watched the events on TV, or read about them, or we participated in some way. We also remember the assassination of this wonderful man and leader. What a shocking and terrible day for America – April 4th, 1968. He was 39 years of age.

To many of us today, segregation seems remote – we cannot imagine the world as it was. The images of a ‘whites only’ drinking fountain, or lunch counter, or school are etched in our consciousness. Yes, these things happened… these things and much more. For the changes in America, we are profoundly grateful for Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement he led.

Integration did take place, some of the barriers came down, and gradually the country came to a better place with regard to the descendants of enslaved Africans. The American people have tried to right the wrongs, with a few exceptions, and we have come a long way. Today the effort to create a fully just world continues, spearheaded by B Corporations, of which AMS is one.

Rather than repeat the story of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement, in this writing we would like to offer some paragraphs from his “I Have a Dream” speech. It was in August of 1963 that Dr. King delivered this speech, during the March on Washington.

In this speech, Dr. King lays out the message in the first four paragraphs. He points out that America has not met the promise of democracy. He calls for an end to segregation and the beginning of a path to racial justice. Here below we offer these first four profound paragraphs.

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“Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

“But 100 years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check.

“When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men — yes, Black men as well as white men — would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.”

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As Dr. King moves forward through his speech, he calls on people to not commit wrongful deeds in search of justice. He asks the people to meet physical force with soul force. He urges the audience to not distrust all white people, and to recognize that we share a destiny. Dr. King’s non-violent, non-hate approach was in stark contrast to the violence and pure hatred coming out of the American South.

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“There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

“But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny.”

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Finally, Dr. King expresses his dream of peace, equality and justice. He asks the nation to rise up and live out the true meaning of democracy and equal rights. Here he delivers the profound words we all remember about judging not by one’s color of the skin, but the content of the character.

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“So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

“I have a dream that one day down in Alabama with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right down in Alabama little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.”

______ 

Dr. King concludes his message by uplifting the people to a spiritual plane, referring to language and images drawn from the Bible. The language is beautiful and poetic, leading listeners to share his dream that all people will see this day of justice and equality together.

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“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”

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Prejudice is deeply ingrained in the human personality, but it does not exist in the soul. What Dr. King asked of us is that we grow out of the prejudices which come from ignorance of each other’s experience and grow up into what our souls know about justice and truth. Truth is… we do know what’s right.

Recently we published an article about JEDI – Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Does practicing JEDI lift AMS Fulfillment up into the soul’s knowledge? That is certainly our intention and our aim. 

We wish our employees, our clients, and all readers a happy Dr. Martin Luther King Day. We would like to offer our readers three links, with the first being the full speech from which we took our excerpts [HERE]. The second link is to another wonderful speech, entitled “A Proper Sense of Priorities.” This speech is about the Viet Nam war and poverty [HERE]. The third link is to the King Center website [HERE] where there is information about this year’s celebration and focus.

In the U.S., on January 13, 2024, we will celebrate Korean American Day. The purpose of commemorative days is to honor and highlight Americans of various ethnicities and cultures that immigrated to the United States. Korean Americans have made immeasurable contributions to the US culture and the economy. Citizens of Korean descent have established small businesses, served in the military, served as faith leaders, doctors, artists, elected officials and in many more roles for over a century.  

The first wave of immigration began in 1903, when 102 Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii to work on pineapple and sugar plantations. In the years that followed, Korean Americans became a vital part of Hawaii’s diverse culture, contributing a great deal to the development of Hawaii. Today more than 50,000 Hawaiian residents identify as Korean.

From the University of Hawaii website, we quote the following: “Korean immigrants in Hawaii were living as stateless people for a long time, but they were special because they did not just stay at home only to earn living, but they organized themselves through the churches, establishing schools and social organizations, and actively supporting the independent movements by sending donations to the Korean provisional governments and activists.” To read the entire article featuring Korean women, click [HERE].

At the Boston University website, we read about the second wave of immigration. “Immediately after Korea was liberated from Japan’s annexation in 1945, Korea became a battleground in the U.S and Soviet Union’s power struggle. In 1948, Korea was divided into two political entities—South Korea supported by the United States and a communist government in North Korea supported by the Soviet Union.

“During the Korean War (1950-1953), the second wave of Korean immigrants moved to America. What started as an ideological conflict in the Cold War period became a national calamity killing nearly 55,000 people. During this period, approximately 15,000 Koreans immigrated to the United States. The McCarran and Walter Act of 1952 nullified the Asian immigration ban and made Asian immigrants eligible for citizenship. The second wave consisted of three groups: Korean wives of American soldiers, known as war brides; war orphans adopted by American families; and around 27,000 people composed of students, businessmen, and intellectuals.” We recommend reading more at this [LINK].

Celebrating the Culture

At AMS Fulfillment we know the value not only of a diverse workforce, but of learning about the various cultures and peoples who make up our country. When looking into commemorative days we see how little we know of each other’s history and experience. What challenges have American citizens of Korean ancestry been through? More than a few, with the Korean war the most recent historical trauma for the people. As always, the more we learn, the more we appreciate the strength and endurance of Korean Americans. 

We went to the National Today website [LINK] for information about Korean culture and individuals who made an impact. “There has been a lot to celebrate for Korean Americans over the past century or so. Sammy Lee was a two-time Olympic gold medalist in diving, Wendy Gramm served as U.S Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair under Presidents Reagan and Bush, David Hyun was the architect who revitalized Little Tokyo in LA, and Hines Ward Jr played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

“As well as the impact of individuals, Korean culture, in general, has left a sizable footprint in the U.S.  Korean food has become incredibly popular, and going for bibimbap with a side of kimchi is now commonplace, as is listening to a few K-Pop tunes on the drive home.

“In 2005, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed the resolution to consent for what Korean American Day stands for and its aspirations. Korean American Day is now enjoyed each year on January 13^th.”

How to Celebrate

In our search for how to celebrate Korean American Day, we came across some significant cultural information, and some food suggestions. The source is PBS [LINK]

First the important Korean holidays:
Seollal, the celebration of the Lunar New Year: January 22–24, 2023
Independence Day: March 1
Children’s Day: May 5
Buddha’s Birthday: May 8
Gwangbokjeol, Korean Liberation Day: August 15
Chuseuk, Thanksgiving: September 28–30 in 2023

Next, here’s their list of kid-friendly foods:
Bulgogi: Thin slices of marinated meat cooked over a grill or a stovetop
Mandu: Dumplings with various fillings either steamed or fried
Jajangmyeon: Noodles in a black bean sauce
Bibimbap: “Literally mixed rice.” Variations contain meat, egg, vegetables and sauces
Pajeon: Savory scallion pancakes
Gyeran-mari: Rolled omelet
Hotteok: Filled pancakes, savory or sweet

Let’s not forget kimchi – it’s a real treat! We hope you will take some time to learn about the Korean American experience. One of the issues fostering racism is our ignorance of the history, culture and experience of each other. Let’s learn and appreciate!

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AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation! We work to B the Change we want to see in the world. 

Let’s begin with a sincere thank you to all who donate blood – you deserve our gratitude and appreciation for offering a part of yourself for the life and wellness of another! It really is a special way to ‘do unto others’.

January is National Blood Donor Month. The reason January was chosen makes a bit of sense… it’s Winter. Donations decrease in Winter, so the message goes out to the people – please become a blood donor or go ahead and donate now if you are accustomed to donating. 

Donating blood is easy, painless, fast, and you don’t need to go far. Please visit this Red Cross website where you can enter your zip code and find a location near you. [LINK]

Knowing your blood type could save your life when every moment counts. Do you know yours?

According to a 2019 CBS News poll, only 66% of Americans reported knowing their blood type. Considering blood type can be vital to understanding your health, including your heart health, and saving your life in an emergency, it’s important to know what type of blood courses through your veins.

We looked into the needs for donations at the Red Cross website.  

“Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.” 

Let’s take a glimpse at the history of Blood Donor Month and then we’ll look at how donating blood benefits the donor, and how donating benefits the recipient. 

“National Blood Donor Month began in January 1970 with a proclamation from President Richard Nixon, aiming to raise nationwide awareness about the critical need for blood donations during the winter. Each January, it serves as an opportunity to honor blood donors and inspire new ones, highlighting the essential role of blood donation in saving lives. Over the years, National Blood Donor Month has grown into a nationwide effort, uniting blood donation organizations, communities and volunteers in a continuous mission to maintain a stable and sufficient blood supply.” More from the Red Cross [HERE] 

Benefits for the Donor 

Who knew there were benefits to donating blood? One would imagine that giving up some of your blood would be a detriment, not a benefit. But, according to the Florida Health website there are benefits.  

Benefit #1 is apparent, you get to help someone who is ill, perhaps even saving a life. That feels good and IS good with millions of people in need. 

Benefit #2 is that you burn calories. Quoting from the article: “Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated. That’s not a bad deal for kicking back and doing a good deed.” 

Benefit #3 is that donating lowers the risk of cancer. The donation reduces iron in the blood, and iron has been associated with free-radicals. The article points to a study showing that a group that donated two times a year lowered their iron levels and thus the risk of cancer. 

Benefit #4 is with regard to heart health: “Another benefit of donating your blood is getting your heart into tick-top shape. Donating lowers the viscosity of your blood which reduces the friction on your arteries and blood vessels. A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that men who donated blood once a year had an 88 percent lower risk of heart attack than men who skipped out.” 

It’s good to know there are health benefits to the donor! To read the entire article click [HERE]. 

Benefits for the Recipient 

Going back to the Red Cross, we see the following. “The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood. Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.” 

The article gives some facts about blood needs. The first list offers surprising statistics – every two seconds someone in the US needs donated blood. This amounts to 29,000 units of red blood cells every day as well as nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma. This amounts to 16 million blood components transfused each year. 

More interesting facts: “The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O. One donation can help save more than one life. Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply. Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 4% of people in the U.S. have type AB blood, this plasma is usually in short supply.” 

Blood donations help persons with sickle cell disease, and persons undergoing cancer treatment that can affect blood cells, like leukemia. Transfusions are given to patients going through chemotherapy, or those who need stem cell transplants. Blood is also given during surgery, any time there is severe bleeding from an accident, even sometimes during childbirth there may be a need. Red blood cells, plasma or platelets are needed, and we are the only source of this life-giving essence. 

We hope you will consider donating blood this month when the need is a little greater due to the season. Once again… THANK YOU to all donors! Your help is needed.  

** ** **

AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation. We aim to B the Change we want to see in the world.

Is it civil rights… is it human rights… what is DE&I or JEDI? Is it simply a new form of affirmative action? We see advocacy for it in the media, and we also see complaints, calls to end it and even mockery. In this writing we’ll try to define the terms and also explore the effects of these policies.

First we went to Google with the question, “What is DEI.”

“Diversity, equity and inclusion is a term used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals. DEI encompasses people of different ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientations.”

JEDI adds the word Justice: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Justice is a beautiful word, a beautiful concept and a beautiful reality.

B Corporations and JEDI

We went to bthechange.com as our first source of information on the meaning. What does it mean to a B Corporation?

“Historic and ongoing systems that sustain and exacerbate inequality among systematically disadvantaged groups create the need for companies to have specific and intentional plans to adopt principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within their own organizations and value chains. Taking continuous action on JEDI is the foundation of a safe and equitable workplace that fosters belonging and reflects a range of critical labor and human rights.”

Without going to the dictionary or to the experts, what does JEDI mean to the man on the street? Justice – there is no stronger foundation than making decisions based upon what is just. Equity – giving every employee an equal consideration and pay for equal effort. Diversity – keeping in mind past discrimination when hiring and promoting employees. Inclusion – being mindful of including persons who in the past may not have been included.

Among the critical voices we hear the following accusation – JEDI means hiring less qualified persons in order to reach quotas. This is absolutely untrue. It does mean eliminating prejudices based on race or sex, providing training when called for, and hiring fully qualified persons.

The Bthechange.com article states that JEDI falls under human rights. “Indeed, JEDI has deep conceptual links with both Human Rights and Workplace Culture, plus Fair Wages covers wage equity, which is essential to achieving broader equity in the workplace. However, Human Rights and JEDI in particular often inhabit distinct spaces in sustainability and organizational change discourses. They also can fall under different roles or departments within a company and are subject to distinct frameworks, guidance, and regulation.”

When a company is a B Corporation, there are expectations: “The systems of oppression and marginalization that we operate within are deeply rooted in our societies and touch virtually all facets of our lives. We must therefore require specific, intentional, and ambitious action from companies on JEDI.”

JEDI at AMS Fulfillment

What does JEDI look like in practice? For an answer, we turned to Samantha Hicks, AMS Corporate Culture and Org. Development Business Partner.

“This topic is something I am passionate about, and I feel fortunate to be part of its development and evolution here at AMS. Yes, companies can check the box of having policies in place, and having DEI training, but “Justice” means so much more. Which is why I am proud to see AMS and other B Corps adding “Justice” as a top priority in their DEI efforts. Justice means “Action.” So, what are companies “Doing” in response to these issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion? To me, this is a powerful question. People bring awareness about their struggles to authorities, but for so long, it has been put aside, as if on a waiting list of least priorities. Justice ensures timely action!

“AMS’ JEDI Program encompasses all phases of bringing equity to those who do not have the means to be their best at their job, bringing equality to all people to have the same opportunity for prosperity, including a diverse range of people from all backgrounds into decision making, and with a strong leadership team taking “Action” to bring justice as top priority to our company’s success.” 

** ** **

Thank you, Samantha. Because we work every day to uphold the principles of JEDI, AMS is a good place to work, a good business partner for our clients, a helpful citizen of our community and a better friend of our shared Earth. We aim to B the Change.

Quotes in this article are from bthechange.com.

Photo credit to Samantha Hicks.

Here we go into 2024, determined to have another prosperous year for our clients, our employees, our communities, our Earth, and ourselves! In thinking about the new year, we decided to search for some predictions – what do the Ecommerce and Supply Chain experts see upcoming in 2024.  

Upon reviewing the predictions, we can say that AMS Fulfillment is ahead of the game! We are already carbon neutral, we do have top-of-the-industry technology and data security, gold standard bi-coastal customer service teams, and we utilize robotics to assist our workforce in pick and pack efficiencies. And one more thing, we are determined to succeed for our clients, our employees, our community, and our shared planet.

2024 Predictions

First, we’ll quote Google about Ecommerce and Communication: “In 2024 achieving the right tone via AI will be a major priority for brands, particularly as they increasingly use channels like conversational commerce. This will lead to stronger conversations, an increased customer base, and more loyal customers.” 

Next, what does Google say about the Supply Chain and Visibility: “In retail supply chains, traceability, tracking, and visibility will reach new heights in 2024. Location intelligence, powered by AI and machine learning, will offer real-time insights and predict future conditions, helping businesses avoid delays and bottlenecks.” 

** ** **

Ecommerce Predictions from Martek.org – Marketing: 

“2024 will find marketers leveraging AI to create a more robust ecommerce presence. The data will be connected, enabling brands to offer more ways for shoppers to discover and purchase, either digitally or in physical stores.”  

Apparently, there are some efforts taking place to make AI sound more ‘human’. The AI chat is being trained to use emojis and express empathy. “Emojis, humor, empathy — these are all nuances that must be incorporated into retail and ecommerce communications to ensure messages come across as authentic in addition to personalized.” The article goes on to say, “AI models will need to be trained to codify and operationalize brand tone. In 2024, achieving the right tone via AI will be a major priority for brands, particularly as they increasingly use channels like conversational commerce.” 

Ecommerce predictions from Forbes.com – Data Protection:

In the view of the Forbes experts, there are four trends: #1 AI will go mainstream, #2 ecommerce will get serious about data protection and privacy compliance, #3 attribution models will become more sophisticated, and #4 retail media network advertising will increase.  

Regarding prediction #1 – AI going mainstream, the article mentions AI-Powered Personalization, AI-Powered Search Engines and AI Prediction Technologies being used. About prediction #2 – data protection and privacy compliance, the article states the following: “In 2024, we are likely to see a stronger focus on governance, risk and compliance (GRC) in e-commerce, prompted by high-level litigation against several large companies in late 2023. Companies will need to pay close attention to the ways they collect and use customer PII, including aspects such as informed consent and effective opt-out from tracking.”

Prediction #3, regarding attribution models, brings the following opinion: “In 2024 we are likely to see more brands adopt a broader range of attribution techniques such as media mix modeling and incrementality.” Prediction #4 offers the following: “Retail media network advertising such as Walmart Sponsored Search and Amazon Ads will play an increased role due to preparations for the end of the third-party cookie in late 2024.”

More Ecommerce predictions from Martek.org – Better Buying Experience:

“In 2024, keys to customer success will include better personalization delivered at scale by ramped-up automation and generative AI. And better digital content will surface, if organizations put in place the necessary guardrails for generative AI to fuel the anticipated content surge.”  

“Humans aren’t going to be taken out of the customer experience entirely in 2024. Instead, look for AI-augmented systems to help make experience and service more efficient for marketers and agents. Organizations realize that for more challenging issues, customers want to have the ability to connect with a human.” 

On this matter, we most certainly agree. There is nothing like speaking with a real live human. It does look like AI will be playing a greater role, and the programmers are aware that the human touch is needed.  

** ** **

Forbes.com Supply Chain Predictions – Sustainability:

The authors state that resiliency, sustainability and artificial intelligence have been stealing the headlines and they ask… will these trends continue in 2024? 

Risk Resiliency and Risk-Mitigation: #1 Strategies for on-shore, near-shore, and off-shore to be closer to the actual demand. #2 Alternate sourcing strategies for key materials to reduce supply chain risk by identifying alternate suppliers in different geographical locations to reduce dependencies on a single source of supply. #3 Rethink inventory optimization strategies to identify decoupling points and postponement strategies, to better position the right materials, intermediates, and finished products across the supply chain. #4 Improve collaboration and increase visibility with suppliers, logistics service providers, contract manufacturers and other key trading partners.” 

Sustainability is a major concern: “Supply chains are a huge part of the problem when it comes to emissions (estimated to be about 70% for most companies), circularity, and inequality, and are therefore a great area to focus on when looking for solutions.” There is an expectation of regulations to come: “2024 is the year we will begin to see a constant flow of regulations around ESG coming into effect. Companies will be required to both understand and disclose their carbon footprint and emissions. And they will look to their supply chains for the data.” 

AI and Digitization: “By investing in supply chain technology to digitalize processes, such as AI (artificial intelligence) the (IoT) Internet of Things and robotics, companies have been able to improve visibility agility and resilience across the supply chain. Digitally networking all the trading partners puts companies in a much better position to anticipate disruptions and take appropriate actions needed to keep customers and regulatory bodies happy.” 

Predictions regarding the Workforce: The author states that technology will help alleviate worker shortages and improve retention. In addition to improving retention, experts believe technology will improve productivity and decision making of both existing employees and new talent with state-of-the-art tools. It is also predicted that the workforce will be freed up from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex problems and decisions that require human interaction. 

** ** **

At AMS Fulfillment we look forward to an excellent 2024. We’re up to speed with our technology and sustainability, and our customer service is top notch. AMS is a B Corporation, so our dedication is to purpose before profit. We serve our stakeholders – our clients, our employees, our community, our environment and ourselves. We look forward to an excellent 2024!  

Links to our sources: Martek.org [LINK] Forbes.com (ecommerce) [LINK] Forbes.com (supply chain) [LINK]

Happy New Year to all of our wonderful employees!! Thank you for your dedication and effort during 2023. We want to be “the best place you’ve ever worked” and we hope you feel that way about AMS!

Happy New Year to our valued clients!! We are grateful you chose AMS as your fulfillment partner. We promise you our dedicated efforts in 2024 and beyond! AMS wants to be “the best fulfillment partner you’ve ever worked with,” and we’ll be making that your reality from day one.

Happy New Year to our B Corporation family!! We share your desire for a world where the people and the environment come before profit. AMS achieved carbon neutral status in 2023 [LINK] and in 2024 we’ll be at it again! Ours is a shared commitment to B the change we want to see in the world, next year and beyond.

The New Year

Day One: The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used around the world today. In the Gregorian calendar the New Year occurs on January 1st. Other cultures may use a lunar calendar or a lunisolar calendar. This includes the Chinese, Islamic, Tamil and Jewish cultures. India and Nepal celebrate the New Year on dates according to their own calendars.

We decided to just have a little fun with our New Year message by reporting on how this movement of the clock is celebrated around the world. We know the USA traditions… let’s explore some others. The source of this information is a website called World Strides, linked [HERE].

Spain

In Spain, it is customary to eat 12 grapes – one at each stroke of the clock at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year. In bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona, people gather in main squares to eat their grapes together and pass around bottles of cava.

Colombia

In hopes of a travel-filled new year, residents of Colombia carry empty suitcases around the block. That’s one New Year’s tradition we can get behind!

Denmark

Residents of Denmark greet the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses against the doors of family and friends to banish bad spirits. They also stand on chairs and jump off of them together at midnight to “leap” into January in hopes of good luck.

Finland

In Finland, people predict the coming year by casting molten tin into a container of water, then interpreting the shape the metal takes after hardening. A heart or ring means a wedding, while a ship predicts travel and a pig declares there will be plenty of food.

Panama

To drive off evil spirits for a fresh New Year’s start, it is tradition to burn effigies (muñecos) of well-known people such as television characters and political figures in Panama. The effigies are meant to represent the old year.

Scotland

During Scotland’s New Year’s Eve celebration of Hogmanay, “first-footing” is practiced across the country. The first person who crosses a threshold of a home in the New Year should carry a gift for luck. Scots also hold bonfire ceremonies where people parade while swinging giant fireballs on poles, supposedly symbols of the sun, to purify the coming year.

Philippines

You’ll find round shapes all over the Philippines on New Year’s Eve as representatives of coins to symbolize prosperity in the coming year. Many families display piles of fruit on their dining tables and some eat exactly 12 round fruits (grapes being the most common) at midnight. Many also wear polka dots for luck.

Brazil

In Brazil, as well as other Central and South America countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela, it is thought to be lucky to wear special underwear on New Year’s Eve. The most popular colors are red, thought to bring love in the New Year, and yellow, thought to bring money.

Greece

An onion is traditionally hung on the front door of homes on New Year’s Eve in Greece as a symbol of rebirth in the New Year. On New Year’s Day, parents wake their children by tapping them on the head with the onion.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AMS FAMILY – it’s 2024!! Let’s make it GREAT!

Each year, during the Holidays, AMS makes a charitable donation to a cause that we are very aligned with, and we believe our clients are as well… the Rainforest Trust. This year the donation is directed toward a specific effort, which is the Brazilian Amazon Fund. This fund does the absolutely essential work of stopping deforestation and creating protected areas which safeguard the indigenous territories.

The following information is about that fund and the work it does.

“Approximately 18% of the Amazon has been deforested, with a distressing 2.9 million acres of forest in Brazil destroyed in 2022 alone. Within the Brazilian Amazon, 141 million acres of land are government controlled but not yet designated for a particular purpose. Each and every one of these acres—the irreplaceable home of myriad, exquisite species found nowhere else on Earth—could be preserved forever as part of a protected area such as a national park, or could be safeguarded as an Indigenous reserve. Or vast areas could be chain-sawed and burned to the ground for beef or soy. The stakes are huge for all life on Earth.”

The Opportunity:  Create Protected Areas and Safeguard Indigenous Territories

“Lula’s return as Brazil’s president this year provides an extraordinary second chance to expand protected areas and halt deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Approximately 29% of the original forest is substantially intact, owned by the government, but currently unprotected—by far the largest area of intact, unprotected tropical rainforest in the world. The window of opportunity is extremely narrow: Lula’s term is four years and it can take several years to create protected areas and safeguard Indigenous territories.”

Goals and Objectives:  Save 20 million acres of intact forest.

“Rainforest Trust’s goal in the Brazilian Amazon is to permanently safeguard 20 million acres of intact forest as new protected areas and Indigenous territories and safely lock up 6 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalents (more than the U.S.’s annual total CO2 emissions).”

The goal of the Brazilian Amazon Fund is one that we fully support, believing this is an urgent need, not only for the CO2 but for the forest itself, its wonderful wildlife and the people who are indigenous to the land. As a B Corporation we seek to B the change we want to see in the world, so we have been as generous as we can be in this donation. We encourage readers to visit the Rainforest Trust website to find out more. [HERE]

Another ‘positive’ with this organization is that 100% of our contribution goes to the conservation efforts. This is possible because members of the board and supporters of the organization cover the operating costs. We’re confident our clients support this organization, hence it is a pleasure to make this donation on their behalf, with every dollar going to the cause.

Wishing all of our readers Happy Holidays and a Very Happy and Successful New Year.

We pondered… what can we possibly give to our employees and clients and friends for the Holidays? The question came… in this diverse world, what do we all want? What do we yearn for? The answer was easy – every single soul yearns for peace. We aren’t that different after all. And this is the season and the moment in time to express our heart’s desire. So here we offer some beautiful prayers for peace, from different religions and cultures. We hope you enjoy!  

A Prayer for World Peace, 1978

We pray for the power to be gentle;
the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding;
and the endurance to accept the consequences
of holding on to what we believe to be right.

May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil
and the power of love to overcome hatred.

We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe
in a world emancipated from violence,
a new world where fear shall no longer lead men or women to commit injustice,
nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.

Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy
to the task of making peace,
praying always for the inspiration and the power
to fulfill the destiny for which we and all men and women were created.

– Author Unknown, Offered by Beth Amyot

Lead Us

Lord, 
Lead us from death to life,
From falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope, 
from fear to trust. 
Let peace fill our hearts, our world and our universe.
Let us dream together, pray together and work together, 
To build one world of peace and justice for all.

Author unknown
– spoken by Mother Teresa in 1981.

Buddhist Prayer for Peace

May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses.

May those frightened cease to be afraid and may those bound be free.

May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another.

May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wildernesses–the children, the aged, the unprotected–be guarded by beneficent celestials, and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

– Author Unknown

Hindu Prayer for Peace

Oh God, lead us from the unreal to the Real.
Oh God, lead us from darkness to light.
Oh God, lead us from death to immortality. Shanti, Shanti, Shanti unto all.
Oh Lord God almighty, may there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome, and may trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us.
May thy Vedic Law propagate peace all through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to us.
And may thy peace itself, bestow peace on all, and may that peace come to me also.

– Author Unknown

Jewish Prayer for Peace

Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the Most High.
And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation- neither shall they learn war any more. And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.

– Author Unknown

Muslim Prayer for Peace

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful. Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations, that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other.
If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things.
And the servants of God, Most Gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say “PEACE.”

– Author Unknown

Native American Prayer for Peace

O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.

– Author Unknown

Sikh Prayer for Peace

God adjudges us according to our deeds, not the coat that we wear: that Truth is above everything, but higher still is truthful living.
Know that we attain God when we love, and only that victory endures in consequence of which no one is defeated.

– Author Unknown

Sufi Prayer for Peace

O Almighty Sun, whose light clears away all clouds,
We take refuge in you.
Guide of all people, God of all deities, Lord of all angels,
We pray you to dispel the mists of illusion from the hearts of the nations
And lift their lives by your all-sufficient power,
Your ever shining light, your everlasting life,
Your heavenly joy and your perfect peace.

– Author Unknown

Zoroastrian Prayer for Peace

We pray to God to eradicate all the misery in the world:
that understanding triumph over ignorance,
that generosity triumph over indifference,
that trust triumph over contempt,
and that truth triumph over falsehood.

– Author Unknown

Peace Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hated, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born into eternal life.

– Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

Source: [LINK]

Looking through our year of 2023, we see our B Corporation values dominating the news. We see our CEO nominated as a finalist for the 2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion awards by the LA Business Journal. We see AMS granted the Silver Level Award from The Climate Registry, along with our first year being Climate Neutral. We see recognition from the CA General Assembly for diversity and an award from the Mayor’s Committee for hiring individuals with disabilities. We see someone we love retiring, we see some new friends in Human Resources, we see charitable giving, green team news and successes, and the importance of employee safety to AMS. Let’s begin with December of 2022 and from there we’ll move through the year.

December 2022

AMS was very pleased, in late December, to contribute to the Rainforest Trust and Rainforest Climate Action Fund on behalf of our clients. Here is a brief quote from our blog: “We believe that donating to this fund may be the most effective tool we have, at this time, to fight climate change and create a healthier future for our planet and all who inhabit it. We are confident that our clients, our employees, our community and our investors join with us in concern for the future of our shared world.” To read the full article, click [HERE].

February 2023

In February the AMS Green Team began a months-long effort to recycle stretch film. We handle 60-80 stretch wrapped pallets a day in each of our warehouses, and this is a lot of plastic going into a landfill. It was a great concern for us and a challenge, but we got it happening! “AMS’ Green Team searched for a solution. They located a company that will pick up and properly recycle our bailed plastic stretch film once we reach 10K lbs. We have purchased 92 waste bins to distribute in all our warehouse facilities so our team can properly dispose of this waste, which will be collected, bailed, weighed, and stored for our goal of 10K pounds.” To read the full article, click [HERE].

March 2023

We interviewed Marco Pelaez, AMS’ VP of Operations, about whether our efforts at pandemic safety were coming to an end. Marco had been diligent in protecting AMS employees and it was time for an update. We’ll quote Marco from the blog: “Keeping employees safe during this pandemic has been a very stressful experience. We had to learn about this virus, not knowing how it behaves, and at the same time try to keep people feeling safe and secure at the workplace. We also had to learn about the CDC safety protocols and implement them at AMS. They were two long years of stress, tears and satisfaction. When we were able to bring the vaccination clinics to our workplace and see the employees’ response as they brought their friends, kids, and family members to our clinics it was a big win for AMS. We knew that we were providing our employees with the best protection against this virus.” To read the full article, click [HERE].

April 2023

At the end of March the LA Business Journal hosted their annual Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Symposium & Awards at the Marriott. Our CEO, Jay Catlin, was one of the business leaders nominated as finalists. Jay gave the following statement: “It is both humbling and an honor to have been nominated for the LA Business Journal’s DE&I 2023 CEO of the Year award. I, along with the other finalists, am an advocate of DE&I.  Since AMS was founded over 20 years ago, diversity, equity, and inclusion have been integral to our success. Although I didn’t win the award, I will continue to ensure that AMS is one of the best companies to work for – and DE&I is at the heart of AMS.” Click [HERE] for the full article.

May 2023

In the beginning of April we posted a blog about Earth Month and we promised to do a follow-up blog about our volunteers participating in local Earth Day events. Here is a brief excerpt from the promised report: “Towsley Canyon Cleanup, 6 employees (12 Hours), 1 minor Volunteer – (2 hours). Quartz Hill Cleanup, 2 employees (4 Hours), 3 Community Volunteers (6 Hours), 6 minors Volunteers (12 hours). PA and DE: Our PA and DE volunteers ran into a weather issue. They were rained-out of the Middle Creek Wildlife Cleanup, but they still did their Earth Day celebration indoors.” To read the full blog, click [HERE].

June 2023

We had three reports in June worthy of review. The first has to do with the AMS Volunteer Representatives. We pointed out ways that the Committee does the environmental clean-ups, and supports the community, holding fundraisers and donating the funds to local non-profit organizations. The Committee also partners with AMS clients to donate liquidation goods to non-profits. Another effort is to train and hire individuals from local organizations who may have difficulty securing employment. From the article, we name the AMS Volunteer Reps: “AMS Volunteer Program Lead- Samantha H., HQ- Teresa G.; LIV- Saul M.; WIL- Alicia G.; WIT- Tangie D.; HR WEST- Rocio A. & Jamie B.; Delaware- Gabrielle F.; New Holland- Sharon S, Gabrielle F., Alyssa W., Wendy M.; HR East- Emma A., LaTanya W.; Executive- Bobbi B.” Click [HERE] for the story. 

June 2023

Also in June we said goodbye to someone very much loved at AMS, President of AMS West, Betty-Lou Wiseman, upon her retirement. Betty-Lou began her journey with AMS in 2004, moving from VP of Client Services to President of AMS in 2019. The following is a quote from AMS CEO, Jay Catlin: “Betty-Lou has been with AMS for nearly 20 years as an incredible contributor toward our success, and someone who has embodied our giving, family-like culture from Day One. Betty-Lou has chosen to pursue a new path outside of AMS… one that will serve her community as she is looking forward to working with her husband Ken (long-time AMS CEO) on all his new ventures. I know Betty-Lou will remain connected to AMS and its people as an owner of the company and most importantly, a friend and mentor to so many. On behalf of AMS, I sincerely thank Betty-Lou for her contributions over the years and being a pillar of strength for so many along the way.” Read the full blog [HERE].

June 2023

Finally, in June we announced and welcomed our new VP of Human Resources, Cindy Beeson, and our new HR Manager at AMS East, LaTanya Warren. Please enjoy the following brief quotes from the blog: “AMS Fulfillment is delighted to welcome our new VP of Human Resources, Lucenda (Cindy) Beeson. We are pleased and very fortunate to have Cindy join us at AMS with her skillset, training, her extensive experience in Human Resources and her knowledge of retail and distribution and employee safety.” LaTanya: “In March of 2023 LaTanya Warren joined AMS as our HR Manager, AMS East. We are so pleased and fortunate to have someone with her depth of experience in this vital position. Her ideals are aligned with our B Corporation goals and we very much look forward to working with her.” To read the full blog, click [HERE].

July 2023

Our July report has to do with donations to the community of older or overstock inventory from AMS clients. Many AMS clients prefer to donate these items to nonprofit organizations in the community and AMS is more than happy to locate nonprofits and facilitate the gift of clients’ products. The following is from our blog: “In the first six months of 2023 AMS clients have partnered with us to donate over $350,000 worth of product to help support nonprofits in our communities. The products include T-shirts, items of clothing, household detergents, coffee, makeup, shoes, nail polish, and all kinds of other products as well. Some of the organizations that have received donations from our clients are as follows: East coast – Phoenix Used Clothing, Plummer Community Correction Center, Horizon House Peer Recovery Center, Network Connect, Inc. West coast – Bridge to Home, Single Mothers Outreach, LA Homeless Shelter.” To read the full post, click [HERE].

September 2023

AMS had been in the process of becoming carbon neutral, and in September we reported on the progress as follows: “AMS Fulfillment, with the help of GHD Ltd., has completed their inaugural 2022 baseline Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG) inventory. This inventory provides AMS with a robust data-focused foundation for managing the company’s Greenhouse Gas emissions. The inventory also helps AMS reduce future emissions with strategies to help the company reach its goal of being net zero by 2050.” To read the full report, click [HERE].

October 2023

Our February report was on recycling plastic stretch film. We reported that we found a vendor and purchased waste bins. Now in October we get to celebrate the results. We were able to accumulate 20 bales and our vendor picked them up for recycling. The following is from our blog: “When 20 bales have accumulated, the plastics are picked up by the vendor and taken to the recycling plant. Recycled plastic film is made into composite lumber, which is used for benches, decks, and playground sets. It is also recycled and reprocessed into small pellets that are used to make plastic containers, crates, pipes, new plastic bags, and pallets. Victory for AMS!! We solved the issue of proper handling of plastic film.” Click [HERE] to read the blog. 

December 2023

We are featuring two reports published in December. The first is our celebration of having achieved Carbon Neutral status in 2023. The following is from our blog: “We know that some time ago AMS worked on the lighting in the warehouses, making them more energy efficient. And we know that gas powered equipment has been replaced by electrically powered equipment. We are proud to mention in our blogs that AMS uses, and influences our clients to use, earth friendly packaging. We recycle cardboard and metal, and we monitor lighting and energy use. We have implemented an employee waste disposal program and we have established a Vanpool for our California employees. And it took some effort, but we found a way to bale and recycle plastic stretch film so that it can be re-made into products and re-used.” The article goes on to explain how we achieved this landmark status – read the report [HERE].

December 2023

Our final blog in December is about our employees donating food and used clothing to help organizations in the community. The recipient organizations were the Santa Clarita Food Pantry and Hope the Mission. The following quote is from Samantha Hicks, head of the Volunteer Committee: “It really is a group effort. The success of our giving programs is attributed to our volunteer committee, which consists of at least one representative from each facility. They have passion for engaging employees they see every day, making the workplace a positive place to contribute. Collectively we can make a difference.” Click [HERE] for the full blog. 

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As you can see, throughout the year AMS was dedicated to our employees, our community, our clients, and our environment. These are our B Corporation values, and they also have been the AMS culture for many years – we very much enjoy doing ‘good’ while doing ‘well’. Purpose before profit is our commitment, and it is also one of the reasons our valued clients choose to do business with AMS. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!!