Soltex Attends NACD Washington Fly-In: Building Industry Relationships and Promoting Leadership
Participation in industry events plays a crucial role in expanding knowledge, building relationships, and staying ahead of the curve. Soltex recently made a significant impact at the NACD Washington Fly-In event. Through their participation, Soltex aimed to advocate for important policy goals, network with industry leaders, and enhance their position as an influential player in the Chemical Distribution market.
Building Lasting Relationships
Industry events provide an ideal platform for networking and establishing valuable connections with other emerging leaders. For Soltex, forging lasting relationships within the chemical industry is crucial for future growth and collaboration opportunities. The NACD Washington Fly-In offered an environment where industry professionals could interact, exchange ideas, and build strong networks. Through proactive engagement with emerging leaders, Jarrod Roussell, Soltex Product Manager, has forged lasting relationships that hold great potential for benefiting the company’s ongoing growth. These valuable connections have the power to foster partnerships, facilitate the exchange of insights, and inspire collaborative efforts that drive innovation and success at Soltex.
Another Soltex attendee, Bryan De La Rosa also experienced the benefits NACD offers to those in the chemical industry. “The NACD hosted Washington fly-in was a big success for our group. The event allowed us to not only meet with our local and regional government representation, but it also allowed us to bring forth challenges that we are facing in the market and gives us an arena to discuss future or current political changes that will directly impact our industry. The NACD does a great job at keeping all its members informed about these challenges and making the trip to Washington allowed us to follow up on these face to face. The event also provided a great opportunity for meeting and networking with industry leaders that are associate members of the NACD which is always a positive.”
The Value of Emerging Leaders
The Emerging Leaders program offered by NACD holds immense value. This program provides a platform for young professionals to cultivate their leadership skills, gain insights from industry veterans, and foster personal growth. By participating in this program, Roussell was able to leverage his experiences and expand his capabilities as a leader within Soltex. As he continues to develop his leadership skills, Soltex stands to benefit from his enhanced decision-making abilities, strategic thinking, and industry acumen. The Emerging Leaders program serves as a catalyst for Jarrod’s continued growth and development, contributing to both his personal success and the overall growth of Soltex. Roussell stated, “The NACD fly-in was a very good experience. Meeting an actual representative from congress was a personal highlight, and being able to advocate for change particular to our industry was an inspiring experience.”
Soltex’s participation in the NACD Washington Fly-In event exemplifies the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the chemical industry. Through the involvement of key personnel like Jarrod Roussell and Bryan De La Rosa, Soltex not only enhances its own knowledge and network but also actively contributes to industry-wide initiatives and policy goals. By leveraging industry events to expand knowledge, build lasting relationships, and foster leadership development, Soltex positions itself as a leading force in the chemical industry. As Soltex continues to grow, the expertise and industry connections gained through events like the NACD Washington Fly-In will undoubtedly play a crucial role in its future success.
Soltex Growth Project: Ushering in a New Era of Expansion and Efficiency
In recent years, Soltex has been driving strategic growth projects at its manufacturing facilities in Baytown,
Texas, and Belleville, Ontario, Canada. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing operational
efficiency, expanding capacities, and ensuring a seamless experience for our valued customers and Soltex team members alike. Exciting developments are happening at both facilities, showcasing the
remarkable progress achieved through the Soltex Growth Project.
Baytown Facility:
This location has witnessed significant advancements that will revolutionize its packaging and
transportation capabilities. One notable achievement is the installation of an automated
packaging system featuring cutting-edge robotics, motorized conveyors, and advanced imaging
technology for precise package filling. This state-of-the-art system has not only improved
packaging efficiency by a staggering 100%, but has also enhanced safety measures, ensuring
top-flight standards.
Furthermore, the expansion of product transfer pipelines at the Baytown facility is a remarkable
feat. The addition of an extra Spur has effectively doubled the railcar access for transloading
and blending, expanding capacity and operational flexibility. Moreover, a brand-new truck scale
has been introduced within the facility, eliminating the need for truck drivers to scale at a
separate location. This strategic convenience streamlines operations and fosters stronger
relationships with Soltex’s truckers and customers.
To further augment inventory management and throughput, Soltex is adding an additional
45,000 square feet of concrete to expand its container space. This expansion ensures a
smoother flow of inventory within the facility, optimizing operations and meeting the growing
demands of the market. Simultaneously, the site is also increasing steam capacity to
accommodate an additional 24 containers, enhancing productivity and versatility.
In terms of employee well-being, Soltex has taken proactive measures to improve the working
environment. Large ceiling fans have been installed, improving air circulation and combating
heat exhaustion, creating a more comfortable and pleasant workspace for warehouse
personnel.
Belleville Facility:
The Soltex Canadian facility in Belleville has experienced significant growth in handling
transformer oil products. To support this expansion, the facility has completed a crucial
development project. This project includes the addition of three 28,000-gallon stainless steel
tanks, along with accompanying piping and instrumentation. These new assets enhance
operational throughput and flexibility across all transformer oil products, benefitting both Soltex
and its valuable partnership with Ergon Refining.
Fostering a Culture of Safety: Soltex’s Safety Committee
Introduction:
A safe and healthy work environment is essential for any organization’s success. Soltex recognizes the importance of prioritizing safety and has established a dedicated Safety Committee to promote and maintain a secure workplace. This blog post sheds light on the purpose, composition, and impact of Soltex’s Safety Committee.
The Purpose of the Committee:
The primary objective of the Soltex Safety Committee is to cultivate and sustain a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. By creating a platform for collaboration between employees and management, the committee actively addresses safety concerns, identifies potential hazards, and develops strategies to mitigate risks. Through these efforts, the committee plays a vital role in reducing workplace incidents and safeguarding the well-being of the Soltex workforce.
Committee Composition:
The Soltex Safety Committee is composed of representatives from various departments, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise. Members from management, customer service, supply chain, human resources, sales, and operations come together during regularly held committee meetings to discuss safety-related matters. This inclusive approach promotes comprehensive safety practices and encourages effective collaboration among committee members.
Coverage Areas:
The Safety Committee covers a wide range of safety-related topics. They conduct regular site audits to identify potential hazards, review incident reports to learn from past experiences, and perform risk analyses to proactively address emerging risks. The committee also reviews and improves existing safety programs, considering feedback and suggestions from employees. By focusing on these areas, the committee consistently enhances safety measures within the organization.
Serving Customers and Suppliers:
While the Safety Committee’s primary focus is on employees, its impact also extends to Soltex customers and suppliers. By prioritizing safety, the committee indirectly influences the maintenance of product quality and customer satisfaction. Their proactive measures help prevent incidents, which can directly impact the interests and well-being of customers and suppliers. By demonstrating a commitment to safety, the committee instills confidence in stakeholders and fosters long-term relationships.
Effect on Growth and Expansion:
The Soltex Safety Committee plays an important role in the company’s growth and expansion. A strong safety culture, driven by the committee’s efforts, contributes to a positive reputation for the organization. This reputation enhances customer trust and confidence, thereby fostering business growth. Additionally, an engaged safety committee improves employee morale and satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and retention rates. The committee’s proactive approach also ensures regulatory compliance when entering new markets, facilitating expansion and diversification.
Conclusion:
The Soltex Safety Committee exemplifies the company’s commitment to creating a safe and healthy work environment. By bringing together representatives from various departments, the committee fosters collaboration and comprehensive safety practices. Not only does this initiative benefit employees, but it also serves its customers and suppliers by promoting confidence and maintaining product quality. Furthermore, the committee’s proactive approach positively impacts the company’s growth and expansion endeavors. With the Safety Committee at the forefront, Soltex continues to prioritize safety and wellbeing while laying the foundation for a successful future.
Soltex to Showcase Latest Innovations at STLE Annual Meeting
The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) annual meeting scheduled for May 21-24, 2023 in Long Beach, CA, is one of the most highly anticipated events in the field of tribology and lubrication engineering. This year, Soltex, Inc. is looking forward to participating in the event and showcasing its latest products and innovations.
As a leading supplier of high-quality petroleum additives, Soltex is committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of the industry. At the STLE annual meeting, the company will have all products on display. In particular, Soltex will be featuring its lines of polybutenes and performance chemical additives (PCA).
Attendees can expect to learn more about the company’s latest products and innovations, including its cutting-edge solutions for the automotive, industrial, marine, and aviation industries. Soltex expert representatives will be available to answer questions and provide technical support, making STLE an excellent opportunity to gain insights and knowledge about the latest developments in the field.
Soltex will also participate in educational workshops at the event, where our experts will share their deep knowledge and insights with other industry professionals. This will provide attendees with valuable insights, helping them to stay at the forefront of the industry and continue to innovate and improve their products and services.
Overall, Soltex’s participation in the STLE annual meeting as a Palladium level sponsor is a testament to its commitment to the industry and its customers. By staying engaged with the latest developments and trends in the field, the company is able to deliver the most innovative and effective solutions to its customers. Attendees can expect to learn from Soltex experts, gain valuable knowledge and insights, and discover new innovations and solutions to enhance their operations. Stop by and visit us at Booth 222!
Soltex Makes Connections at ILMA Engage
Soltex attends many industry meetings throughout the year, and each one has a specific focus and purpose. One such event the company attended recently was the 2023 ILMA Engage in Tucson, Arizona. This spring meeting is focused on learning about trends in the lubricants industry, reconnecting with old colleagues, and meeting new associates.
The main goal for Soltex in attending ILMA Engage is connecting with producers and customers for current trends in the lubricants industry as well as understanding current demands, projects, and opportunities. Soltex schedules meetings with commercial and technical procurement attendees throughout the three days.
John Grimes from the Soltex team was able to engage with a variety of attendees and gather valuable information. While Soltex did sponsor a tabletop located in the Base Camp, Grimes was able to connect with individuals from other companies at networking sessions. “This year’s ILMA Engage was record attendance with over 600 attendees.” The only challenge to arise is making our reservations on time for the host hotel. As the numbers climb, the spaces fill sooner.
At the meeting, one of the product lines that garnered the most interest was the PCA, and Polybutene lines. Understanding the customer’s forecast and new project allows our teams to promote our complete product line application benefits. Identifying the global scale market gives us insight into the market view and communicates to our internal services the needs in the future.
Soltex will attend the ILMA Annual Meeting in Palm Desert, California to learn more about upcoming market conditions and business intel.
Soltex Moves Headquarters
Soltex, Inc. is excited to announce it has permanently moved the location of its company headquarters from Houston, Texas effective December 16, 2022. The new address is 4 Waterway Square Place, Suite 275, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380. Our lockbox will remain the same as well as telephone and email contact information.
As Soltex continues to grow, the move to the new facility will provide the space and room needed to serve customers better. It also gives Soltex the opportunity to expand all teams and continue increasing product lines.
“The move to The Woodlands is just another step in the upwards growth of Soltex, Inc.,” said Glenn Bohny, Soltex President. “We’re happy to have found a new home that will allow us to advance as a company, become more efficient, and serve our clients with the same level of customer service they have come to expect from us.”
Old Address:
3707 FM 1960 West, Suite 560
Houston, Texas 77068
Mainline: (281) 587-0900
New Address:
Soltex, Inc.
4 Waterway Square Place, Suite 275
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Mainline: (281) 587-0900
Soltex Manufacturing Improvements Actualized with Addition of Drumline
Recent improvements to Soltex’s manufacturing process have positively impacted the company’s overall operations. By adding drumline functionality, Soltex has realized numerous benefits in very little time. We recently touched base with Soltex’s Vice President of Operations, Bryan De La Rosa, to discuss the specifics behind the addition of the drumline.
So how did this drumline come about? De La Rosa explains that with increasing packaging demands and expanded product offerings, they decided their old system of manufacturing was no longer sufficient to allow the company to reach safety and production goals. This ultimately led them to implement drumline functionality. He further explains that they had great experience with automation in past projects and thus “felt comfortable moving forward with this plan to bring a fresh idea into the system.”
The drumline now works in a way that streamlines prior processes, using a combination of motorized and gravity conveyors and two robotics arms (one for drum palletizing and the other for filling). The system also utilizes an automated pallet dispenser. All work together in automated unison to fill stainless totes, poly Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and steel drums full of in-demand Soltex products.
Contributing vastly to the improvement of Soltex, De La Rosa says “the new system allows us to double our packaging throughput which aids in growth in the coming years.” A typical drum can be filled in about a minute, and a full truck load of drums (96 drums) can be filled within a few hours depending on the material, he explains. Another key piece of the improvement puzzle made possible with the drumline is addressing safety concerns. The reduction of human interaction with the system, most simply, increases overall safety.
The addition of drumline functionality is also improving traceability and accuracy; allowing the company to better serve key markets and perpetuate continuous improvement. If you’re interested in learning more about our operations, we welcome all customers, prospects, industry folks and associated services that support the operation to take a site tour. We’re confident that our first-hand experience will give you a better sense of what we do here at Soltex.
Meet the Team: Anh Dinh
Soltex employees are a large part of the continued success we find as a company. From our sales, to business operations teams, and even quality control; the individuals who perform these functions are essential. Anh Dinh currently works as a Quality Analysis/Quality Control Chemist and recently shared with us a bit more about his time with Soltex and his life beyond the lab.
Now in his eighth year with Soltex, Dinh performs a variety of tasks that are necessary for Soltex to continue producing and distributing high-quality chemicals worldwide. He is responsible for communicating and analyzing the quality control of substances and ultimately reviews and approves the quality of end products. He also takes part in the continuous innovation within Soltex by evaluating and sampling methodologies of technologies to determine their usefulness. In this role, attention to detail is critical as is the ability to lead a team and Din excels at both.
Dinh established a career in the chemical industry immediately following college. He describes the R&D (research and development) green technologies project as the most interesting thing he’s worked on in recent times. This project directly involved finding new ways for clean energy innovation at Soltex. And while this is by no means a solution to climate change, it’s a step in the right direction and wouldn’t be possible without individuals like Din.
The sheer volume of work within a busy chemical solutions company, Dinh details, can be a challenge to keep up with. Yet, he has succeeded in not only keeping up over the years, but in going above and beyond to serve Soltex customers. Success, he says is “when I don’t have any customer complaints about the quality of our products.” Such a focus on serving the customer is something we continue to see as a commonality among Soltex employees, which is key in setting us apart from other suppliers. Dinh attributes much of his success in the workplace to his leadership and problem-solving skills.
Outside of work Dinh enjoys fishing and going on vacation with his family to tropical destinations like Hawaii. He also enjoys indulging in Japanese cuisine and as a Houston resident he is a loyal fan of the Texans football team.
New Technologies and Connections at TechAdvantage Expo: Soltex Recap
Soltex attends many industry tradeshows throughout the year, and each one has a specific focus and purpose. One such event the company attended recently was the 2023 TechAdvantage Expo in Nashville, Tennessee. This tradeshow is focused on technology and innovation in the utility industry, making it an ideal event for Soltex to network and gather intelligence on new trends and technologies.
The main goal for Soltex in attending TechAdvantage was to connect with cooperative utilities, pole treaters, transformer service companies, and other industry professionals. The team hoped to build new relationships, generate leads, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry.
Mike Bonn from the Soltex team was able to engage with a variety of attendees and gather valuable information. While Soltex did not have a booth at the event, Bonn was able to connect with individuals from other companies and attend informative sessions. “TechAdvantage provided us opportunities to learn about new technologies and products, particularly EV charger cooling, and to make new connections with other attendees.”
At the show, one of the product lines that garnered the most interest was the HyVolt line of transformer liquids, which Soltex distributes for Ergon. The product line includes the HyVolt II and C50A naphthenic-based mineral oils along with the new HyVolt NE and SE which are ester-based biodegradable liquids. The demand for transformers across North America is very high and so there were many inquiries from manufacturers and utilities. Additionally, Soltex manufactures copper naphthenate which is one of a few options for utility pole preservation and was the topic of discussion for many pole treaters and inspection companies. With the emergence of Electric Vehicles and the required charging systems, there was much discussion of new opportunities for Soltex’s dielectric cooling liquids.
Soltex attended the TechAdvantage tradeshow in Nashville to learn more about the state of the industry, connect with colleagues, and how they can better serve their customers. Specifically, the team gained important knowledge about the shift to new wood preservation treatment options in the utility pole market as well as the challenges that transformer manufacturers face in keeping up with high demand. This insight helped Soltex reach their goals for attending TechAdvantage.
Soltex: A Look Back
2022 was a year of action for Soltex as the chemical industry seemed to swiftly pick up speed again after a few years of necessary adjustments due to the pandemic. From the growth of multiple teams to a busy schedule of conferences and trade shows, product developments and some necessary fun among it all, we’re glad to be wrapping up another fantastic year.
The year brought several changes and additions to Soltex operations. With an inside sales team being established initially in 2020, 2022 brought more growth and success to this specific department with valued Soltex employees Celina Desvard and Matthew Massoud. Their work became a particularly integral part of Soltex’s continued growth and success in the chemical industry as they spent their days selling and promoting Soltex’s innovative offerings through relationship building, and maintaining relationships with existing customers.
New additions beyond the inside sales team also included two interns who joined us over the summer, Christian Gilmore and Mia Traugott. Bringing dynamic and helpful energies to the team, both seized opportunities at Soltex to further their knowledge and gain experience.
New partnerships with two new supply chain partners, Transflo and Wolflake must also be noted. These new partnerships allowed us to fill gaps in our supply chain and work toward further success and maintenance of our reputation of providing the best service possible to all customers. We also continued to see incredible contributions coming from team members across numerous departments, from site and warehouse management to sales and marketing.
The Soltex schedule of conferences and trade shows also ramped up significantly this year. Team members were kept very busy connecting with each other as well as other industry professionals. From Florida, to California and even up north to Canada; we strengthened our presence within the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD), the Electricity, Distribution, Information Systems and Technology Conference (EDIST), and the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), just to name a few.
We can’t let this blog conclude without highlighting the Soltex company culture and mentioning some of the fun and comradery that was also had in 2022. As a sponsor of the Next Wave Energy Partners Charity Golf Tournament, our team was thrilled to be a part of the astonishing $225,000 that was raised and donated to Camp Hope, an organization dedicated to helping combat veterans and their families through the invisible wounds of war. The purchase of a Soltex cooker trailer affectionately named “the Catalyst” was also a highlight, being an essential part of company functions like the golf tournament, celebrations, and other gatherings.
Throughout the year, Soltex employees also enjoyed getting together for other charitable events like the earth day clean up, put on by our Canadian-based team members. This past September, members of the Soltex team participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) annual fundraiser “Out of the Darkness Walk” in Morris County, New Jersey.
This year, the Morris County Walk raised over $76,000 and the entire New Jersey chapter of AFSP has raised $1 million to date for this important cause. And last but not least, the highly anticipated Soltex Halloween costume contest and festivities were a massive success.
As the year comes to an end, we are appreciative of this time to reflect on all the success 2022 brought to Soltex and are excited to take on 2023 with an equal amount of motivation and drive.