NACD publishes latest safety stats

According to the US National Association of Chemical Distributors’ (NACD) newly published 2011 Membership & Safety Report, member companies last year achieved a safety rating “30 per cent better than non-members and more than twice as good as all manufacturing combined”. These results, NACD says, “are remarkable in a difficult economy”. Collectively driving more than 156m miles (251m km) and delivering 1.2 tonnes of product every second, it continues, “NACD members remained focused on safety and performance through Responsible Distribution, even as the markets were continuing to pressure their bottom line”. The report also found that NACD member companies are responsible for more than 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in the US; accounted for $21bn in sales; and operate in all 50 states through more than 1,500 facilities.

“Every year I am more impressed with our members,” says NACD president Chris Jahn. “They are a pivotal link in the US chemical industry supply chain and this year’s report demonstrates once again that they remain committed to safety day-in and day-out. Responsible Distribution is a framework that our member companies and chemical handler affiliates use to not only manage their environmental, health, safety and security areas of operations but consistently improve them each year. Information gathered from our member companies in this report show a dedication to excellence.”

In related news, GS Robins has been named as the recipient of the Association’s 2011 Responsible Distribution Excellence Award. “NACD is proud to recognise GS Robins & Company as the sixth recipient of this award,” says NACD board chairman and Hubbard-Hall president and CEO Andrew Skipp. “Now part of the Brenntag organisation, their commitment to process improvement, their involvement in the local community and the education of their employees has certainly not gone unnoticed. They exemplify the high standards required by Responsible Distribution.”

“The employees of GS Robins & Company are honoured to be the 2011 Recipient of the NACD’s Responsible Distribution Excellence Award,” says the company’s operations manager Bryant Buescher. “Our company has gone through a major transformation over the past few years and our employees, along with our senior management, were dedicated to the implementation process of the 12 Responsible Distribution Codes. The commitment to reach and exceed these standards did not come without a lot of hard work and the efforts of many. The guiding principles defined by the Responsible Distribution Codes not only allowed for us to succeed, but to also show our commitment to these goals to our customers, suppliers and community.”

www.nacd.com