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Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of January: Sandy V., Jerry F., Elvira A., Rogelio D., Slava F., Ivan R., Dave N., Jim G. and Brooke KP.!

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.

The following nominations demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond and deserves Special Thanks! All winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate & T-Shirt!

Sandy V., Assistant Account Manager (09/13/2021)
HQ Admin, Valencia CA

I nominate Sandy for January employee of the month. Sandy has demonstrated commitment to her accounts, always providing the best customer service experience. She’s dedicated to learning and growing and wants more of it! Her drive has allowed her to make great strives during her short time here at AMS. She’s proactive and has used what she has learned to help her figure out new situations. She’s always available to help and we appreciate all her hard work! Thank you, Sandy, for the great job that you’re doing and for always having a smile on your face.

Jerry F., Returns Clerk (04/27/2015)
HQ Warehouse, Valencia CA

I nominate Jerry for employee of the month because he has kept track of all FedEx, UPS and USPS delivered packages at HQ for the past 5 years. He created structure, improved process, and strengthened the communication and tracking of all these deliveries. Additionally, he created ways to store and sort TJ returns as well as supply items. Recently Jerry has worked on improving the prize room layout and organization. Jerry is well liked by his peers and treats everyone with respect. Thank you for all of your hard work!

Elvira A., General Warehouse II (01/03/2017)
WIL, Valencia CA

I nominate Elvira for employee of the month because she is an excellent worker. She has 100% commitment to do the job correctly and in an efficient way the first time. Elvira can easily change from one task to another. She will always ask if she can help others. We appreciate her commitment to her work.

Rogelio D., Inventory Supervisor I (07/13/2016)
WIT, Valencia CA

I nominate Roy for employee of the month because he has been instrumental in leading our team through multiple physical inventories throughout the month. His knowledge and leadership have made each project run smoothly and seamlessly with favorable results. His efforts are truly noticed.

Slava F., General Warehouse III (06/22/2020)
LIV, Valencia CA

I nominate Slava for employee of the month because his work ethic speaks for itself. He has perfect attendance, always willing to go the extra mile, always willing to work extra hours if needed, as well as come in on the weekends when requested. He is truly dedicated to AMS Fulfillment. He always has a great attitude towards all employees. Slava is an OUTSTANDING employee who shows motivation, energy, creativity, and determination to accomplish every task thrown his way. He is very dependable, has a great work ethic, has 100% attendance, and is determined to accomplish daily goals by staying overtime and working weekends if needed. There’s not one day that I don’t tell him how much I appreciate him, and other days I tell him, “What would I have done without you today!”

Ivan R., General Warehouse II F (11/12/2014)
HAR, Valencia CA

I nominate Ivan for employee of the month because he has stepped up and is taking on new roles with inventory. He is handling very detailed work for our clients from QC to weekly inventory inquiries such as supply counts and detailed response for CS to relay to client. He always shows up ready to work and takes on tasks that aren’t in his job scope. He takes the time to teach his teammates and takes ownership of our clients. He is a role model for other associates.

Dave N., Director of Operations (03/26/2004)
New Holland, PA

I nominate Dave for employee of the month because he is always a wealth of information! Dave is often pulled in a thousand directions and involved in everything warehouse. Yet he stills finds the time to brainstorm and teach along the way with a positive attitude. He has the patience of a saint and deserves to be acknowledged!

Jim G., DFC Supervisor (06/12/2001)
New Castle, DE

I nominate Jim for employee of the month because he runs our Xerographic department and has done so for countless years. Jim is always helpful with any associates who have questions and does so with such a pleasant demeanor. His work ethic is exceptional, his reliability and attendance are spot on. This department does not get enough credit for the work they do which allows us to service our clients in assembly, fulfillment, special orders, and all-around warehouse needs. Jim is retiring soon and I, for one, think he is irreplaceable. We will all be extremely sad to see him go. What better way to help send off a dedicated, long-time employee than with the recognition he deserves!

Brooke KP., DFC Group Leader (04/26/2021)
Newark, DE

I nominate Brooke for employee of the month  because Brooke is my EOM. I have only been In and out of Newark for a short period of time, but in that time Brooke has really stepped up with taking on extra responsibility to make sure the facility is running efficiently! I’ve seen her come out of her comfort zone and rise to the daily challenges. She has a great future here at AMS. Thank you, Brooke !”

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

In February of 2022, Bobbi Booher joined AMS as our Chief Financial Officer. We are so pleased and fortunate to have Bobbi, with her skillset and experience, in this vital executive position. She is aligned with our B Corporation culture, committed to ‘B the Change’ and we welcome her into our corporate family!  

As a licensed CPA and finance professional skilled in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Accounting, Strategic Planning and Supply Chain Management, Bobbi is responsible for all Finance and Accounting matters at AMS. She also is tasked with overseeing Human Resources. Her previous experience makes her a tremendous advocate for the AMS workforce. 

Bobbi comes to AMS from a position as CFO of Fralock Holdings Group of companies where she served for more than 20 years. In addition to Finance and Accounting, Bobbi has been responsible for Human Resources, Employee Safety, IT and Purchasing. This gives her a unique view that goes beyond the numbers and results in decision making that aligns key areas both strategically and financially.  

While in public accounting Bobbi worked for companies in various industries. Prior to entering the field of accounting, Bobbi worked in procurement for a major aerospace company that was later purchased by Boeing. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Woodbury University. 

Bobbi is married and is almost an empty nester with four children who are all in college or grad school. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, biking, and wine tasting trips with family and friends.  

AMS CEO, Jay Catlin, had this to say about our new CFO: 

“Bobbi is such a welcomed addition to the team.  Her intelligence, incredible work ethic and true passion to do good for our people, our community and our planet make her an amazing find for AMS.  To say that she has hit the ground running is a severe understatement!”

Welcome to the AMS family Bobbi Booher !! 

Val Verde CA has a very special history; one we’re featuring in this writing in honor of Black History Month. AMS also has its own history with Val Verde as well, and that gives us even more enjoyment in recognizing this community and its story.

The Val Verde community is much appreciated by AMS. First, we appreciate our employees who come from Val Verde; there have been, and are now, more than a few. Also, over the years AMS has been closely involved with the Val Verde youth and families. Retired executive and current AMS Consultant, Ken Wiseman, is a long-time supporter of the Val Verde Sheriff’s Foundation. This relationship has allowed AMS to provide jobs for at-risk youth (excellent employees) over the years. AMS has also supported the Sheriff’s Department “adopt a family” program for many years. Those stories can be found at the AMS Fulfillment blog.

The stories of Val Verde are important to Black History, as back in the 1930s and ‘40s it was one of the few locations where Black people could buy homes and property and build a community. A recent article from ABC7 quotes several early residents of the community including Timothy Williams, Val Verde historian. They describe enjoyable childhoods in a serene community known as the “Black Palm Springs.”

The article states: “The main park became a gathering place for the community. It’s where they held dances, beauty contests selecting Miss Val Verde and a lot of other activities for both young and old. Including an Olympic size swimming pool.” Mr. Williams, who grew up in Val Verde in the 1950s and still lives in the community, continued with his memories: “Every Friday night we would have a drop in right here at the park dancing for the kids 12 13, 14 to learn all the new dances.”

An article at the SCV History website goes more deeply into the evolution of this cherished place for recreation, development and home ownership for Black Americans at a time when such a haven was truly needed: “The first half of this century was a sad time for many Angelenos. Black-owned businesses were torched. Blacks couldn’t use most beaches or public swimming pools, let alone compete with whites for high-paying jobs. It wasn’t until the mid-1950s that the courts finally struck down restrictive covenants that prevented blacks from owning real estate in certain areas of Los Angeles. For many, the only opportunity for recreation or self-expression came in a weekend jaunt to a part of the Santa Clarita Valley that provided refuge from the big city.”

That community was our own Val Verde. The article goes on to describe the development of the community and the participation of Black professionals including Hattie McDaniel and James Earl Jones, who raised thoroughbred horses on a ranch nearby. The creators of the community put love into it. It was a prosperous, enjoyable, beautiful place to live, and a beautiful place to enjoy recreation for a people who faced rejection elsewhere.

The article explains how things began to change in the 1960s. “The civil rights revolution of the 1960s created new opportunities for blacks in Los Angeles and changed the face of Val Verde forever. People who had used Val Verde as a weekend or summer retreat now established neighborhoods where they had not previously felt at home. Val Verde lost much of its special raison d’etre. But even as its pace slowed and its racial makeup changed, Val Verde retained a sense of community that rivals any other in the Santa Clarita Valley.”

At AMS we certainly have seen the sense of community in Val Verde, and we have participated in it as well. The history of the community, as a place of refuge in which to be oneself, without fear, is a precious legacy and a wonderful example of the creativity, spirit and strength of Black people – a “happening place” at a time when the people truly needed such a place. 

There are many inspiring, dedicated, skillful business leaders embracing the B Corporation concept, and each of them has a story. These businesses may be small or large, with 3 employees or 300 or 3,000. We see them upholding integrity in a changing world; businesses taking responsibility for the wellbeing of much more than the bottom line. These businesses are changing the world and we are proud to stand among them. 

Several years ago AMS Fulfillment joined the ranks of the B Corp community as one of the few fulfillment companies willing to take the pledge in a legally binding agreement. The B Corporation commitment has created a culture within AMS that employees, clients and the community fully support. Employees want to work for a B Corp, clients want to choose a B Corp, communities want to support a B Corp, and owners and shareholders want to invest in a B Corp. And finally, Mother Nature prefers the B Corp as well.

In preparation for B Corp Month, coming up in March, we are pleased to bring to readers the inspiring spirit of these companies by telling their stories. We begin by featuring a company called CNOC Outdoors. Nathan Oetting, Impact, Outreach & Logistics Manager has agreed to talk with us about CNOC Outdoors and what they are doing to B The Change. 

AMS: Hi Nathan! Thank you for the interview. We have enjoyed going through your website, looking at your products and getting an idea of your company’s culture and spirit. You tell the story of how you came to be, and how you selected and created your outdoor gear. You also talk about DE&I. As we move through Black History Month, could you talk about your focus on the community and how you have sought to bring more diversity to the enjoyment of the outdoors? 

NATHAN (CNOC): Thanks very much for the opportunity to chat and tell our story! CNOC Outdoors is a small company, with only 3 full time employees. We have been in business only a few years, but since day one, CNOC has endeavored to make the outdoors more accessible to everyone. We do this by designing products that are durable, easy to use, and repairable. The throw-away culture does not sit well with us. We want our customers to be able to repair our stuff if necessary, instead of having to buy new.

We also give back to the outdoor community and our local community. We have committed to donating at least 20% of profits to non-profits, and we have far exceeded that goal every year. The groups we choose to work with are in-line with our ethos of diversity, equity and inclusion in the outdoors. For the last few years, we’ve held a fundraising campaign in the Fall for different outdoor organizations. We’ve supported The Venture Out Project – an organization whose mission is to provide safe and fun space for queer, trans and LGBTQ+ people to experience the outdoors. And Unlikely Hikers which is a diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating outdoors community of people featuring the underrepresented outdoorsperson.

This year, we are working with a local non-profit here in Portland called Love is King. Love is King aims to eliminate fear in the outdoors and to provide equitable access and safety to ensure an enriching and exhilarating experience in nature for BIPOC folks. We use our platform and money to raise awareness for the causes of these organizations, and we donate gear and funding to help them achieve their mission to diversify the outdoors. As we continue to grow as a company, we hope to be able to reach more people through our platforms, and to raise money for these local and small organizations that are making a difference in the BIPOC and underrepresented community. 

AMS: We really appreciate the work CNOC Outdoors is doing this year to make a difference in the BIPOC community, and your past work as well. When we look into your B Corporation story we see inspiring and uplifting human beings making the world better. Thank you so much for the interview!

Pictured: Nathan Oetting

In this blog series we discuss the work of the AMS “Green Team” in creating an earth-friendly workplace environment. Recently, when we looked into green energy practices undertaken by other fulfillment companies, it became apparent that AMS stands out as a model for other companies that are ‘thinking green’. 

When we look at fulfillment companies, we see big warehouses that need to be heated, cooled and cleaned; we see racks and pallets, cardboard boxes and filler packaging; we see forklifts and powered machinery; we see an office with supplies, paperwork, and we see a lot of people traveling to work, eating and drinking, and traveling home. All of these things offer an opportunity to consider the environment, and AMS has a history of doing just that. 

AMS is a B Corporation and a “green” fulfillment company, and some of our efforts to be environmentally conscious have been in effect since we began. Recycling started in the company’s office nearly 20 years ago. Over the years the recycling became companywide and included racks and pallets. We gave attention to using the right size of packaging to prevent waste and began choosing packaging with air-filled biodegradable plastics. In 2018 the Green Team implemented our first partnership with Republic in recyclable bin sortation to sort landfill vs. recycling. And so, a green fulfillment company will be recycling and re-using, purchasing recycled products, using them wisely and sorting for landfill vs. recycling.  

What about cleaning, heating and cooling the warehouse spaces? AMS uses eco-friendly cleaning agents, disinfectants and cleaning solutions. We also have installed LED lighting and natural skylights in every warehouse, and energy efficient bulbs. Breakroom lighting is motion censored, and lobbies are predominantly naturally lit. With regard to equipment, AMS partnered with energy saving consultants to reduce electrical consumption by 10% per hour of charge time from forklifts using charging stations, and we have replaced our propane powered machinery with rechargeable battery-type machines. 

What about the employees? A number of AMS employees have taken advantage of our offering of Vanpool. AMS has adopted and has maintained an average of three Vanpools, and this has taken an average of 21 vehicles off the road, reducing emissions and saving on employee gas and car maintenance. AMS installed an electric charging car station at our Headquarters. Also, we use biodegradable paper products for employee events, and we have placed purified water dispensers in each warehouse to encourage the re-usable AMS water bottles which every employee is given.

There are many ways for a fulfillment company to ‘think green’ and we’re committed to do our best, and as a B Corporation, do our part on behalf of the planet. AMS is collaborating with 3rd party Carbon Neutral Experts, along with College of the Canyons LEED Interns, to identify, and increase environmental sustainability in our warehouses across the board. And finally, AMS West Green Team and the AMS East Green Team officially launched their joint efforts this January and we look forward to sharing their progress.

Chinese New Year, also called lunar new year, has begun. Businesses that rely on imports from China historically have taken note of this holiday as it has an effect on manufacturing and shipping. Chinese New Year has been something to anticipate and prepare for, over the years. But this year ‘more’ is expected, as explained in a recent article in Supply Chain Drive. During this holiday, when historically factories and ports in China have shut down, there are even more uncertainties due to Covid restrictions and quarantines.

Quoting from the article: “In previous years, factory output in China during the Lunar New Year was affected by the number of workers who took extended holidays. This year it is unclear if China will allow millions of workers to travel for holidays due to strict COVID lockdown policies…  even if people can travel, they may need to quarantine before returning to work.”

The 2022 Chinese New Year began on Tuesday, February 1st. It signals the beginning of a very extensive festival that marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring.

An article in East West magazine explains that businesses shut down about 10 days before the New Year to allow workers to travel home, stating that “…the holiday can disrupt production and shipping schedules for up to three weeks or more. Since China is an economic giant in the global exporting industry, the effects of CNY can ripple around the world, especially for retailers and anyone else who relies on imports from China.”

So that explains the Lunar New Year supply chain concerns. If products don’t ship prior to the New Year, they could be delayed by a month because both the manufacturing and the ports close down. The article has a number of recommendations for companies that source from China. Click HERE to read more.

What is the Chinese New Year holiday about? It is a colorful, exciting, enjoyable time with family, with events, parades, amazing foods, fireworks, and lots of fun. The celebrations are based on the Chinese zodiac, utilizing animals and elements to predict what is to come in the new year.

What does the Year of the Tiger have in store for us? The following paragraphs have our answer:

“The Year of the Rat (2020) was about survival, and the Year of the Ox (2021) was about anchoring ourselves in a new reality. The Year of the Tiger will be about making big changes. This will be a year of risk-taking and adventure. We’re finding enthusiasm again, both for ourselves and for others. Everyone is fired up, generosity is at an all-time high and social progress feels possible again.

“The Tiger is associated with Yang (masculine, active) energy. Tigers do things their own way and hate being told what to do. Expect things to rapidly change this year. Sudden disruptions in career, romance and home life should be expected. Some of us will thrive through taking great leaps, while others might crash and burn. So while it’s important to follow our intuition and run with our wildest dreams, that means we also have to keep our egos in check.”

The Chinese Zodiac also gives attention to the five elements: earth, wood, metal, fire and water. These elements affect the animal sign. In 2022 the tiger is the ‘water tiger’. The horoscopes say that water brings out the emotions and water tigers are family oriented. The water tiger wants to do what’s best for everyone.

That’s a good forecast!! Water Tiger! We will want to do what’s best for everyone in 2022! Sounds like a perfect year for a B Corporation!!

Photo Credit: Ranae Smith

We’re grateful that there is a month dedicated to studying Black history as it offers the opportunity to look at the big picture and evaluate where we stand at AMS. Black history is American history and world history; it is past and current.

As a B Corporation, AMS Fulfillment has committed to practice diversity, equity and inclusion in all of our decisions. As we set a higher standard we also recognize that the violation of human rights is still with us in this world, and we still have a way to go.

Black history in the US begins with a decision to deny the humanity of another human for the sake of extracting a profit. The following is a quote from an excellent documentary film, The Story of American Slavery:

“The slavers… they knew that these were human beings, because they were, obviously. They were clearly human beings. At the same time, they were objects of profit, and those two concepts couldn’t really be reconciled. And they never were reconciled. The humanity of these slavers was simply suppressed for the sake of gold. And the shocking thing is that human beings are able, indefinitely, to suppress the urgings of their common humanity… and to deny it for the sake of making profits.”

Today in the US, and at AMS, we’re dedicated to repairing that decision by honoring every human being, and treating every human being fairly for our own sake – perhaps the word should be Equity.

A very important decision in history, and one that should be studied in order to understand our world, is a decision made in the early American colonies. The landowner class imported indentured servants. There was an instance where two white men and one black man who were servants (slaves for a time period of several years), escaped. They were caught. America’s destiny was decided by the judicial decision that followed: the white men were given a couple of extra years of slavery and the black man was given enslavement for the rest of his natural life.

What does it take to repair that decision? It certainly takes a month dedicated to the study of Black history… and more. There is a reward for looking into this history, and that is the opportunity to see victories of the human spirit – the times when heroic people stood for what they Knew was right, sometimes at a great cost. We still have work to do, but there has been true progress for every American in the victories of Black Americans.

We hope readers will find a quiet time to view the very informative documentary film, mentioned above. The Story of American Slavery: Documentary on How Slavery Dominated America

Finally, Samantha Hicks, AMS Programs and Services, offered her thoughts on this special month of learning:

“AMS constantly strives to ensure we have diversity through best hiring practices, DEI and Leadership training, and promotional opportunities. We are proud to have strong Black Leaders, as well as our amazing support group.”

During Black History Month AMS also produces ‘spotlights’ on the warehouse TV screens, and these include nominated employees. The month will begin with a tribute to Chris Bolden, Supervisor, who started as a General Warehouse position, and earned his way to Leading a Team. 

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of December: Kiara L., Sara A., Destiny S., Eloisa R., Alexus S., Dominga G., Robert T., Jim G., and Brooke 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.

The following nominations demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond and deserves Special Thanks! All winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate & T-Shirt!

Kiara L., Assistant Account Manager (03/02/2020)
HQ Admin, Valencia CA

I nominate Kiara for EOM because whenever I have a question, she is always willing to lend a hand and help any team member out. I believe Kiara is a great person to nominate because she is friendly, hardworking, and motivated. When I started last year, she guided me and welcomed me to the team without hesitation. Kiara accepts everyone for who they are and embraces our differences. She is great to work with because she is a go-getter and truly inspires me to work hard and never give up on my goals here at AMS. Kiara is always encouraging people to try their best and she truly deserves this! She is a great candidate for employee of the month!

Sara A., General Warehouse III (08/26/2019)
HQ Warehouse, Valencia CA

I nominate Sara for Employee of the Month for December because she did a fantastic job helping us with the TJ computer area during peak season. Sara is always there when you need her and comes into work every day with a positive attitude.

Destiny S., Operations Lead I (10/30/2020)
WIL, Valencia, CA

I nominate Destiny for Employee of the Month because Destiny always comes to work with a great attitude. She leads a team that must do a lot of detailed work and she and her team do a great job for the clients. Destiny is always available for overtime when requested and it does not matter what client it is for. She will always go where she is asked to go. Great job Destiny!

Eloisa R., General Warehouse II (07/05/2019)
WIT, Valencia, CA

I nominate Eloisa for December EOM for her hard work and dedication. Eloisa has been helping operations and returns to complete all their deadlines. We are happy to have her as part of the WIT team.

Alexus S., General Warehouse III (11/14/2019)
LIV, Valencia, CA

I nominate Alexus for EOM for December because she’s an amazing team player. She is always up to learn something new and take on any challenge. Although she is a part of returns, she helped the shipping team tremendously during the busiest time from Black Friday through the month of December.  She’s and excellent asset to AMS and I’m proud she is a part of our team!

Dominga G., Maintenance (05/04/2021)
HAR, Valencia, CA

I nominate Dominga for EOM because she is truly the best. She has managed to keep our building clean and sanitized. She is a great addition to the Harrison building. When she has down time, she always jumps in to help production and is a true team player. We are really looking forward to keeping her. Thank you for all you do!

Robert T., Operations Supervisor (11/30/2020)
New Holland, PA

I nominate Robert for EOM because he is friendly, helpful and has a great attention to detail, with a first one in, last one out mentality.  Robert has a very strong passion for inventory and takes a lot of pride in his work. He is always willing to go out of his way to fix issues and help others regardless how busy he is.

Jim G., DFC Supervisor (06/12/2001)
New Castle, DE

I nominate Jim for EOM because he has been in the printing industry for 45 years. He creates artwork, takes photos, and prints materials for our clients without hesitation. He is willing to help in other areas when needed. Jim displays a level of dedication that has been extremely valuable to the company.

Brooke KP., DFC Group Lead (04/26/2021)
Newark, DE

I would like to nominate Brooke for EOM because during my time being on vacation she did an outstanding job running the facility. She got all tasks done perfectly and in a timely manner. She made sure orders were printed, fulfilled, and she got the kitting completed as well. She really stepped up and took care of business while I was away. I couldn’t ask for a better job than what she did. Thank You!

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

At AMS, Covid safety protocols were established early in 2020, and those decisions and changes are recorded earlier in this Safety Blog Series. Many things were put into place at AMS, including 6’ distancing, masks, extensive and deep cleaning, sanitizing stations, more bathrooms, temperature taking, testing, virtual rather than in-person tours, working from home, separation in lunchroom and collective spaces and so forth.

The steps taken to protect the health of our employees were extensive, and successful. We did not see any outbreaks at AMS, and for those employees who did get exposed at some location and suffered the virus, we are confident our protections saved their co-workers from exposure.

Our effort now, in 2022, is in continuing the Covid safety procedures with the same energy and consistency as when we began. And in addition, we are offering vaccination clinics for employees, their families, and people from other companies that work nearby. Seven clinics have been held so far with the eighth scheduled on February 11th.

For many people, there is a weariness that comes with continuing the efforts over the long haul, and our work at AMS has been to realize this pandemic is not over, and not let the weariness enter our space.

We spoke with Matthew Warholy, Security & Safety Manager at AMS, and he agreed that we all have to stay vigilant.

“This virus isn’t going away just yet,” he said. “We all have to remember to continue to use the safety protocols that we’ve learned in the last two years. Hand washing, temperature taking etc. Even if you have had the virus, you can get it again. You can also pass it along to co-workers, friends, family and complete strangers. Yes, the vaccination helps immensely, but you can still catch it and get sick, be hospitalized or die. Why take that chance of passing it along? Please, if you’re sick, stay home. Go and get tested for your own safety. Wear your mask over your nose and mouth. If you carpool, don’t take the chance of infecting others. If you do get sick, make sure that others living with you quarantine also. Taking these precautions will prevent illnesses in others and save lives.”

To read the Safety blogs in our series and see the careful actions AMS has taken over the past two years, please click HERE.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has been in the news lately as we learned that the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, scheduled for 17-21 January, went from in-person to virtual. For many years Davos has been a meeting where heads of state and government, corporate CEOs, representatives of civil society and the media get together to discuss the WEF concerns.

Included on the agenda is discussion of ways and means for environmental sustainability. While some may object to Davos for various reasons, corporations and businesses are increasingly in agreement with their environmental concerns and are taking steps to protect and preserve the environment. This is indeed a great advancement forward. The environment has become a stakeholder.

We also appreciate the WEF discussions of who are the stakeholders in a business that is to be considered successful. No longer is profit the one and only measure of success in a corporation. In a sense, if it is authentic and not just a marketing effort, considering the environment, the employees, the community and the clients as having a stake in the decisions of a corporation is very exciting progress!

AMS has been ‘on this page’ for years. Several years ago the company gained B Corporation certification and shortly thereafter became a certified Social Enterprise. Our commitment to “Being the Change” is real, and we are convinced that this is the way of the future – it is the growing up of humanity.

Not that long ago toxic waste and pollutants were shrugged off as the cost of doing business, labor was exploited and discrimination was commonplace. The world is changing, and one can only attribute it to the human being realizing that the Earth is my Home, and the ‘Other’ is my Brother.   

The benefit corporation movement started in 2006 with B Lab. B Lab was simply three friends who shared the same vision, of business as a force for good. The first 82 Certified B Corporations were certified in 2007. We don’t know if the WEF was discussing stakeholder capitalism back then, but we do know that those three people who envisioned being the change, have definitely started something good. We can look to history and be very grateful for the changes we see.

A recent article at bthechange dot com asks how to know whether a company is really purposeful, or just marketing that way. The article points out that B Corp is a legal structure that has requirements that companies are obliged to uphold, so the question would be… are you a B Corporation?

“More than 10,000 companies worldwide have signed on to a legal structure known as the benefit corporation that incorporates creating value for all stakeholders, including workers, consumers, the environment, and community. These businesses are executing on their mission and values while overturning the concept of shareholder primacy — which prioritizes profits, even when derived from behaviors that create inequality, environmental damage, and social fragmentation.”

What was on the Davos agenda this year? Since the event itself was cancelled, and the meeting was held virtually, we see that they have discussed equitable vaccine R&D and manufacturing; clean energy, new tech, and navigating change; and Omicron and Covid 19. These are the pressuring issues at this time and we hope the discussions went well.

Please visit the AMS Fulfillment blog for numerous articles about the efforts of our Green Team; on-campus college-level education for employees, plus ESL; our passion for employee safety; our hiring practices and DE&I focus, and so much more.

AMS Fulfillment has a ten-year history of giving over the holidays that is unique and very special to our employees. Long before AMS became a B Corporation, the culture was very much focused on community involvement, charitable giving, and having a positive impact on our communities.

Over the years, during the holiday season, our employees have donated food and gifts to families in the community through the “Adopt a Family” program of the Val Verde Youth Activity League (YAL). The YAL is a nonprofit organized by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. The “Adopt a Family” holiday giving is an AMS company tradition that we cherish.

These very challenging pandemic years have caused the company to adapt to circumstances, but nothing has stopped the giving. In late October 2021, Samantha Hicks of AMS’ HR Programs and Services, assisted by Erica Martinez, announced the Holiday program via email and on company TV screens and promotional fliers in the warehouse breakrooms. The donations came in and by November and December of 2021 they were able to make their plans reality.

For Thanksgiving, knowing the difficulty of these unusual times, the organizers agreed that charity begins at home. The focus of the fundraising was upon helping AMS employees who were experiencing temporary difficulties, and we were very grateful to provide full Thanksgiving meals to a small number of AMS families.

For the Christmas giving we once again turned to the YAL families. AMS was able to provide $250 gift cards and full dinners to twenty of the YAL Val Verde families. The cards and dinners were delivered to the families by Ken and Betty-Lou Wiseman, Erica Martinez and AMS employees.

Ken Wiseman is AMS’ Chief Workforce Development Officer and Betty-Lou Wiseman is President of AMS West. Over the years Ken and Betty-Lou have been present and dedicated to the community, leading the effort for the “Adopt a Family” program and a number of other community programs.

Appreciation goes out to Ken and Betty-Lou, Samantha and Erica, and all AMS employees who reached in their pockets and donated their time to make the season of giving real for so many in the community! Thank You!

We’ve entered the new year, and as we look forward, we also look back to see what was accomplished in the previous year. In #27 of our B Corp series, we have visited the bthechange.com website and reviewed what they consider the top 21 stories published in 2021. In considering which ones to feature we remembered back to our experience of 2021 and the efforts AMS made with regard to the environment and with regard to diversity, equity and inclusion. We’ve selected two articles that are related to AMS and our interests over the year.

We have chosen an article published in March of 2021 on the supply chain and an article published in February of 2021 featuring anti-racism resources. The supply chain article features two companies that are familiar as B Corporations – Seventh Generation and Natura & Co. These companies are known for the attention they give to their suppliers, making sure their supply chain is focused on employees, and environmental health and sustainability. The supply chain article was published in recognition of B Corp Month, and the second article was published in recognition of Black History Month. It provides an anti-racist reading list, links to Black-owned bookstores that sell online, plus a long list of articles, films, videos and music. We hope you enjoy these featured articles.

B Corps Doing Business Better: Screening Supply Chains for Positive Impact

 By Screening Suppliers for Environmental and Social Practices, B Corps Benefit People and Planet

 “As we continue to celebrate B Corp Month, we share examples of just a few of the B Corps that are strengthening the stakeholder capitalism model by evaluating supplier environmental and social practices, and raising the bar for all companies to do business better.” Click HERE to read more.

Anti-Racism Resources: 47 Books, Podcasts, Movies, and More

“B Lab and the global community of Certified B Corporations are continuously developing ways to build a more just, inclusive, and actively anti-racist economy. For those interested in self-education on this topic, the team at B Lab U.S. & Canada has compiled a list of 47 recommended reading and viewing resources on systemic racism and injustice. The majority of this list was originally published on B Lab’s Anti-Racism Resources landing page in 2020. We are uplifting it now in honor of Black History Month in the United States.” Click HERE to read more.

We hope our readers are enjoyed the season of giving, and we wish everyone a wonderful new year. Let’s move forward into making it the best year ever!