Editorial: Happy New Year!

Dear Readers,

The holidays and year’s end mark a time for gathering with family and friends. For many, the beginning of a year brings the setting of goals and new resolutions. It also marks a time to reflect upon the past year. In thinking over the year 2004, one of the first thoughts is of the many changes and achievements experienced by the Systems & Performance Improvement Department. These changes and achievements include SPID assisting with the restructuring of the Quality Council and adding new employees.

Ashley Bryant, David Wigginton and Charlie Bennett were welcomed to the SPID team. Ashley joined us in September, 2004 as the Systems Controller and manages the corporate document control program. David Wigginton joined Ergon in January, 2004 as a Performance Engineer and works with data and statistics to assist companies with their quality programs. Most recently, Charlie Bennett joined SPID as Management Systems Consultant. Charlie coordinates the overall implementation process of management systems within the Ergon family of companies. The SPID staff is one of our greatest resources and an integral part of Ergon’s success. Each person strengthens our department and plays a vital role in helping us reach our goals. We are truly fortunate to have such capable employees on our team.

SPID has also benefited from many former employees. Special thanks are due Mike Burnett for his past and ongoing contributions to Ergon quality systems. Even after leaving our department to manage the Petroleum Specialties Marketing Department, Mike continued as editor of the FOCUS publication. Thanks are also in order for Ricky Allen’s continuing support to our department. Ricky teaches quality management system classes and participates in Ergon’s internal audit team. Amy Taylor is to be recognized for her contributions to our department and for being a valuable part of the quality team. Amy left Ergon in October 2004 to join her husband, Brad, in Reading, Pennsylvania where he transferred with the Penske Corporation. I also need to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to Ergon managers for allowing their employees to participate in Ergon’s internal auditor program. These men and women take on additional responsibilities as internal auditors without extra compensation because of their commitment to Ergon’s quality system. The success of our internal audit program depends on the generosity of these employees and their managers.

This new year brings about many challenges for SPID: continuation of the ongoing ISO 9001:2000 implementation processes for Ergon companies; ISO/TS 16949 compliance at Ergon Technical Coatings; new ISO implementation work at Lion Oil Trading & Transportation; implementation of a supervisor/management training program; and putting into operation an electronic document control system for select Ergon companies. This year, Ergon’s leadership will continue to develop, implement, and improve the effectiveness of its quality management system. Our quality management system, based on ISO 9001, is versatile enough to be used for all types and sizes of businesses, as evidenced by the variety of Ergon companies, and departments, registered or compliant to the standard. Companies can achieve maximum benefit from their registration or compliance certificate by ensuring their quality management system is aligned with their strategic goals. This alignment helps satisfy the full intent of the standard as well as address internal needs of these organizations – not just merely meeting external requirements.

There are many sources suggesting that the future is the “knowledge age.” The future will be controlled by businesses making the most practical use of it. Our time has come. Ergon’s application of quality principles, quality systems, investments in material assets and “human capital” provides a solid foundation for improvement of our business operations, profitability, and competitive positioning in the market place.

We look forward to serving you in 2005!