AMS Fulfillment has recently been granted B-Corporation status. For this we can thank the ownership, management and employees, as corporate responsibility has always been a unified effort at AMS.
A B-Corporation (B-Corp) is a legal status that mandates considerations other than just profit. All things being equal, why would clients, customers and consumers choose to do business with a B-Corp? The answer is clear – people want to see socially and environmentally responsible decisions from corporations rather than profit above all other considerations.
Across the globe, people are concerned about and care about life and health, and thriving communities. These human concerns are shared by many individuals who own and operate corporations, and that number is increasing.
In spirit, AMS Fulfillment has always operated as a business that considers more than just profit, having established a long record of community service and environmental responsibility. The ‘news’ is that now AMS has made a legal commitment to uphold social and environmental goals.
For years, AMS has operated its business in a manner that intentionally helps to solve social challenges. In the past few years this effort has increased significantly.
AMS provides employment for a large number of people, and in this way keeps families within the SCV community thriving. Seeing ‘job-provider’ as an opportunity to serve, management focused on hiring not only individuals who need a job, but also those who are less likely to secure a job due to a number of factors, such as disabilities, homelessness, active or veteran military status, former incarceration, insufficient education or language skills, and young persons needing to avoid at-risk behavior.
In addition to social responsibility in hiring, AMS has partnered with SCV College of the Canyons to offer education and training. Several years ago AMS created and outfitted an entire classroom within the AMS headquarter facility. This classroom has been used for Not For Credit and Non-Credit Certificate Programs, a new Logistics Apprentice program, and internal job training and mentoring for advancement.
Environmental responsibility has been a top concern from the beginning of AMS, and this is a process that employees proudly participate in. Jay Catlin, AMS President, elaborated on AMS’ thinking “Green”: “While our senior team has always focused on environmentally conscious efforts, B-Corp encourages that these efforts are best achieved through collaboration with all of our employees. Our new Green Team, comprised of employees from all departments, has already made some significant improvements in our environmental consciousness, but as importantly, they are much more in tune with our Corporate mission. Fulfillment companies are in a great position to make a significant impact on environmental health, and at AMS we view this as a responsibility of ours to do all we can to make a difference.”
With regard to B-Corp status, and the responsibility that goes with it, AMS CEO Ken Wiseman offered the following: “B-Corp helps us raise the bar for what we do. Up until now, we have tried to maintain a positive balance among our Customer, our Organization, our Community and Ourselves (as outlined in our Mission Statement.) Now we have a platform to compare our accomplishments to those of other like-minded organizations. We have forums to explore ideas, we have B-Corp challenges to sharpen our focus, and we have an appreciation that we are part of a movement that defines a company as great – by the balance it keeps, not just the bottom line that it achieves.”
AMS knows that community and environmentally minded business owners can achieve their social goals without sacrificing the ability to make a profit. With our choice of doing business as a B-Corporation, we cast our vote for a better future.
Once again AMS is hard at work fulfilling orders for the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean we don’t take time to help others give thanks and enjoy a beautiful meal!
In the fulfillment industry employees are much more than human resources. They directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business.
During the Veteran’s Day weekend in November, AMS joined millions of Americans in honoring those who have served or are serving in the US Military. At the same time we realize that there is much more to be done to assist veterans and active duty individuals who have need of employment, housing and healthcare.
Robert Nicholson works for AMS at the WIT2 location. He served in the US Marine Corps for six years, and in military reserves for two more years. He enlisted when he was age 19. Robert’s Military Occupational Specialty was 3043 Administrative Supply. His first duty station was MCAS El Toro, CA, followed by Inspector and Instructor duty in Raleigh, NC. Then he was stationed at MCLB Albany, GA where he worked for the STAP Unit. The highest rank he achieved was Corporal.
Joseph Ramirez works for AMS at the IND1 location. He is currently in Army Reserves with his duty station in Bell Gardens in Los Angeles. Joseph’s duties are mechanics and maintenance of transportation equipment, and he has served in this capacity for three years. He will continue in this capacity until he is deployed at some time in the future.
Jason Irwin works for AMS as Chief Information Officer. He served in the US Air Force for six years, signing up at the age of 17. He entered basic training in San Antonio, TX and after basic he was sent to Aurora, CO for technical school training, later receiving his degree in Avionic Systems. Avionics are the electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft. His specialty was F-15 and F-111 Fighter jets. Halfway through his service he transitioned into Information Systems where he was named Communications Airmen of the Year for the 18th Fighter Wing.
On October 17 the SCV Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities held an “Inclusion Drives Innovation” Continental Breakfast on the AMS campus, utilizing the AMS Learning Center classroom space. The meeting, working and teaching event was organized by the SCV Mayor’s Committee Vice Chair Vivian Kimoto and Araz Valijan with the help of Margie Melendez, assistant to AMS CEO and Chair of the Committee, Ken Wiseman.
Recently all AMS employees across the campus of warehouses participated in the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill. As part of an extensive safety training program, covering a number of areas, AMS conducts earthquake drills twice a year.
Congratulations to the AMS Employees of the Month for September 2017! We are very grateful to you for being outstanding members of our corporate family! Thank you Ana M., Alex R., Gerad M., Randy D., Larry M.
AMS has long been committed to a high level of integrity and community service in its hiring practices. The commitment is evidenced in the community organizations AMS works with including those that represent individuals with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, veterans groups, seniors, and the homeless.
AMS Fulfillment strives to be a corporation that truly serves the community in which we operate our business. We do this because fully realize that the community serves us with wonderful employees, excellent business partners, good friends, great humanitarian organizations and a prosperous and safe environment.
The LA Cancer Challenge is coming up again soon and for the seventh consecutive year AMS is stepping up to the challenge. October 29th is the date of the 20th Annual run, UCLA is the location, and registration can be done on the 
AMS CEO, Ken Wiseman, has long been involved in community service, in particular Search & Rescue volunteering and support of the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation. Recently co-workers and friends of AMS, and of the Sheriff’s Foundation, joined him in a fundraising event that broke records.
Congratulations to Todd G., Rony V., Charles F., Maynor J. and Teresa R., selected from each AMS Facility for Employee of the Month honors. Thank you!