Summer Fun in New Hampshire
7/27/2010
Baker Commodities’ Billerica division recently held their annual summer outing at Canobie Lake Park, New Hampshire. Baker employees from Billerica, Warwick, Burlington, Albany, and Vassalboro gathered together to enjoy the food, the park and each other in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Although the weather didn’t fully cooperate, managers, drivers, and plant workers, along with their families, had a good time dining under a tent and playing in the rain. Special thanks go out to General Manager Joseph Huelsman for giving back to the employees and to Safety Director Ray Bessette for organizing and executing a wonderful day for Baker workers and their families.
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Baker Rochester Wins First Place Fleet Safety Award
5/5/2010
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Division Safety Mgr. Steven Szymanski Displays Award
Baker Commodities Inc.’s Rochester division recently won the first place 2009 New York State Motor Truck Association Fleet Safety Award for the small-class, pick-up and delivery division. In order to qualify for this award, the fleet must have an accident rate of less than one-half the national industry. Congrats to Rochester for being such a strong leader in the industry!
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Baker Commodities Inc. Open House a Great Success!
4/30/2010
The Baker Commodities Inaugural Open House, held on April 8, was a resounding success. More than 200 guests, including Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Vernon city officials, representatives from neighboring businesses and other dignitaries, attended the event that was held at Baker’s Sierra Pine office.
The goals behind the event were threefold: 1) to introduce visitors to the company, 2) explain the role rendering plays in the environment and 3) recognize the Congresswoman for her consistent support.
Upon arrival, guests mingled and had their pictures taken with the Andreoli collection of rare vintage cars. They also had the opportunity to learn more about the rendering and cold storage industries by viewing various exhibits in the offices.
At noon, they were escorted into an elegant tent, and treated to a gourmet luncheon. Jim Andreoli Jr. addressed the crowd, celebrating the company’s proud history and exciting future. Jim presented Congresswoman Roybal-Allard with Baker Commodities’ first Excellence in Government Award, and she gave a moving speech, praising the company for its forward thinking, and the vital role it plays in the community and environment.
After lunch, guests boarded buses and embarked upon tours of the Bandini plant, led by the Andreoli brothers and sons. Visitors learned more about the rendering process as they toured the plant, and then stopped at the lab to see the actual process of manufacturing feeding fats, tallow and yellow grease. The day finished with everyone being given green plants in Baker Commodities branded planters that they could proudly display on their desks.
The inaugural Baker Open House event successfully accomplished all of its goals and everyone had a wonderful time along the way!
Pictured, L to R: Tony Andreoli, Jim Andreoli Jr., Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jim Andreoli Sr., Andy Andreoli, Jason Andreoli, and Jim Andreoli II
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Baker Corporate Establishes a Green Team
4/29/2010
Baker Commodities Inc. Corporate office recently established a Green Team whose mission is to “identify and reduce waste, conserve resources, educate ourselves and our community, monitor and provide measurable results to our company and our customers for the purpose of providing a better world for ourselves and future generations.” The Team will develop and implement a number of new initiatives designed to meet these goals.
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Harold "John" Johnson to Retire from Seattle Division
4/28/2010
Harold “John” Johnson announced his retirement from Baker Commodities Inc.’s Seattle division, effective May 28, 2010. He is in maintenance in Seattle, and has been with the company for 18 years.
“John has been an integral part of the maintenance program in Seattle,” said Dick Hinthorne, General Manager. “His reliability and dedication to Baker Commodities Inc. has been unprecedented and appreciated by the entire team.”
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Baker Commodities LA to Host Inaugural Open House 4/8/10
4/7/2010
Baker Commodities is holding its inaugural Open House on Thursday, April 8, 2010 from 11:30am – 2:30pm. Guests will be treated to a delicious buffet lunch at the Sierra Pine facility. Before lunch, they can view exhibits explaining the rendering process and used cooking oil removal services and take photos with the Andreoli family collection of antique cars. Following the lunch, Baker will present Baker Commodities’ Excellence in Government Award to Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. Visitors can then hop on on a bus and take tour of the rendering plant with a stop at the lab. Guests will include customers, local dignitaries, and representatives from neighboring Vernon businesses.
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Rochester to Sponsor 50’s Gala for the Shepherd Home
2/25/2010
Baker Commodities will sponsor the 2010 "Fabulous 50's" Spring Gala to benefit the Shepherd Home, Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Midvale Country Club in Penfield, NY.
The Shepherd Home is a two-bedroom home that operates under the "Hospice Care" philosophy, providing 24-hour service and care for those with less than three months to live in a home-like setting. More info can be found at www.shepherdhome.org.
Sponsors and organizers of the Shepherd Home Spring Gala kicked off ticket sales by practicing their Doo-wop harmonies in preparation for the festivities.
Front Row: William Schmieder, General Manager, Baker Commodities Inc.; and co-chairs of the Shepherd Home Gala, Gail Van Belzen and Diane Knox.
Back Row: Betsy Inglis, Executive Director of Shepherd Home; Lisa Davies, Director of Social Work, Maplewood Nursing & Rehabilitation; Jennifer Habecker, Membership Development Officer, Family First Federal Credit Union; Mary Lou Lunt, Director of Marketing, Family First Federal Credit Union; Jim Gresens, President, MRB Group Engineering Architecture & Surveying PC; Jim Redmond, Vice President Communications, Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield
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Baker Rochester Employees Moving On Up
12/16/2009
Two of Baker's Rochester Division employees, Jason Stewart and Robert Fedele, have successfully completed a 40-hour course and test to become 2nd Degree Stationary Engineers. They will receive their certificates within a few weeks. Rochester congratulates them on their significant achievement!
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Kerman Ribbon-Cutting
11/11/2009
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Last month, Baker Commodities’ Kerman division celebrated the recently completed renovation of its office building with a barbecue and ribbon-cutting. Attending the ribbon-cutting were out-of-town guests, Dennis Luckey, Baker Commodities Vice President and Mitch Ebright, Baker’s in-house attorney; Manuel Ponte, Kerman General Manager; Baker’s Kerman employees: and Kerman Chamber Board Members.
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Kerman Division News
9/17/2009
Kerman Plant APPI Certified
The Baker Commodities Kerman division was recently designated an APPI (Animal Protein Producers Industry) certified plant. The certification means that the plant meets all HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) specifications. HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product. Kerman’s certification is an achievement the entire company is very proud of, as it represents the next level in Baker Commodities ongoing commitment to feed and public safety.
Employee News
Kerman is also excited to announce that its manager, Manuel Ponte, recently celebrated his 40th anniversary with Baker Commodities. And earlier this year plant manager, Steve Dessauer, was awarded the very exclusive and coveted Special Service Award. Only awarded to one other manager, Jack Bradford, the Special Service Award celebrates employee performance that goes above and beyond the normal scope of work.
Building Makeover
Kerman has also completed a significant renovation of its office building after five months of work. The existing office has been expanded about 25 feet. This expansion allowed for the complete renovation of the interior, which provided space for three additional offices, a larger general work area, an elegant welcome/lobby area, and a spacious conference/lunch room/training room with digital audio/visual equipment. The garden areas around the office were also completely re-landscaped. A new logo will soon be installed on the peak of the office gable, completing the new look.
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