PK U.S.A.’s Bryan Rosberg ... keeping PK U.S.A Environmentally Responsible.

Pantry Pals & PK U.S.A.

Wise Health Updates

May/June 2019 / Volume 3 / Issue 3

Firing Firing

Peter Sandström: What He Wants You To Know .....

The first thing Peter Sandström wants everyone at PK U.S.A. to know …. “I am totally dependent upon 700+ people to do my job”.

This may sound simple to many, but to Peter Sandström, it honest and truthful. Peter came to PK U.S.A. in April of 2018 as Executive Vice President. In April of this

year, he was named President of PK U.S.A. However, Peter is not new to PK U.S.A. His prior 10 years were spent in Sweden, as President of Press Kogyo in Oskarshamn.

“Many things brought me back to the United States, the main reason being the unique opportunity to become PK U.S.A. President. Peter lived in the United States from 2000 through 2003, working for Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana. “Making the decision to come back to the U.S. was an easy decision. We love it here, our second daughter was born while we were here in the early 2000’s, so it was like coming back home”.

Peter’s education includes a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and his experience with the automotive industry is vast. Scania Truck and Bus Manufacturing provided Peter with his first job. “I enjoyed my time and the opportunities Scania provided, including the joint venture with Cummins Engine Company which brought me to the United States the first time in 2000”. Peter’s combined time with Scania and Cummins, along with his 12 years with Press Kogyo, have provided Peter with unique learning opportunities only afforded in automotive manufacturing and production. “Being a global company, PK U.S.A. sees opportunities for their management teams to learn and grow by moving people from plant to plant in their organization. This gives many people the privilege of appreciating other cultures, while learning manufacturing techniques and processes unique to a particular culture or country. These opportunities have been important eye openers, and have given me new skills to grow as a leader”.

Leading a Japanese company in the United States can pose some exciting challenges, but Peter looks at his new position as a huge opportunity not only for the company, but for himself as well. “My philosophy is simple - we need to be a little bit better everyday, for ourselves but more importantly our customers. We are in a tough business. Margins in automotive manufacturing are extremely tight. Everyday, 700 people come to work as a team knowing there are 100 companies that want to take our business. PK associates know we have to be good and produce top quality products”.

Making the transition to life in the U.S. from Sweden takes a bit of time, but as Peter said before, it was an easy decision to come back home, especially to Indiana. “Deciding to come back was a family decision. We have moved here to stay this time, this is not a short-term job opportunity. Although most of our family is back in Sweden, we can talk to them almost anytime, anywhere with FaceTime. Sweden and the U.S. are very similar. Here family is very important, and the United States is very welcoming. The schools are open and accepting of students from around the globe. We have had a few challenges, but nothing we cannot work through as a family”.

PK U.S.A.’s previous President, Mr. Nakayama, was a great leader for Peter to learn from before taking the helm in April. “He afforded me abilities to ask questions, and learn from his expertise and experience. I am very grateful to him for his willingness to help me transition into this position. For now, I know I do not have all of the answers, but I want anyone who works with us here at PK U.S.A. to know I am always approachable. I will try to answer any question, and if I don’t have the answer, I will find one! If we all work together, we can help each other, learn from each other and in turn, respect each other. If we don’t know about an issue, we can’t fix it. Speak up! Let me know when you have a question, or need answers to an issue. I want to help PK U.S.A. become the best manufacturer of auto parts for our customers, but most of all, I want to be the leader our associates can count on, and talk to”.

Back Home inIndiana, PK U.S.A.President Peter Sandström

Almost 10 years ago, Greg Gerline sat in a Shelbyville Rotary Club meeting discussing an issue that many do not think exists in Shelby County, hunger. From that particular meeting in 2010, Greg took the initiative to do some research regarding food pantry outreach and needs, in Shelby County. Little did he know at the time, that there were 9 total food pantries, all striving to do the same thing, help those who need a hand up, not a hand out.

“When all of us in Rotary started researching our local food pantries, we found a commonality among them all, they were all trying to achieve the same results in their communities, but were stretched too thin. These pantries were trying to put a band aid on an issue with a real need, feeding the hungry. It was then that we developed Pantry Pals, and our goal was to come up with a plan to help all of our pantries in the county, but do it from one central agency with one request”.

Greg worked with all of the pantry groups, and got them working as a team. “Working together, we are finding that the initial ‘ask’ of companies and individuals was much easier. These groups were not getting multiple requests from many different pantries, they were getting one request for them all. This made our efforts easier and more stream-lined. Once the initial drive of $50,000 and 100,000 cans of food was achieved, we were able to disperse all of the assets equally to all nine pantries”.

As Pantry Pals has evolved over the years, so have the pantries in Shelby County. “We had nine

pantries initially, now we have seven. Since we have become

really good at what we are doing in assisting these groups, we were able to condense a few of our locations. We also partner with Gleaners

Food Bank out of Indianapolis to help provide outreach to many of our Shelby County communities”.

Pantry Pals has been more than productive in ensuring the viability of the local pantry groups, they have created a system that provides

resources, assets and manpower to help each other out, call in help when needed and distribute food stores effectively. “Every pantry in Shelby County is

different, sometimes the need for baby items is greater in one pantry over the other, or self-care products are in short supply. We all work together to provide needed

sourcing at each location”.

Companies in Shelby County appreciate that there is one request that helps all pantries. “The response continues to amaze our Rotary group

year after year. Last year, PK U.S.A. decided that sustainable giving would be a priority for their company. Bill Kent gave me a call and asked to meet about

the program. From his leadership, other corporations have begun a sustainable giving program that will ensure Pantry Pals have the resources needed to stay ahead of the

curve. We appreciate PK U.S.A.’s willingness to take on this endeavor with us”.

Pantry Pals continuously helps each pantry with needs assessments, ensuring volunteers and those in need have supplies necessary to meet the needs of the areas they serve. “In 2013 alone, Pantry Pals helped over 18,000 people by assisting them with their food and supply needs”. As in years past, giving during the holidays is up, while the Spring and Summer months typically see a downturn. “We make it work during each season, we have to. So many that need our services never imagined they would need our help. The elderly, handicapped and those with second jobs often times do not ask for, or want, our help. It is our duty to see needs are identified, and met, with the help of our pantry partners. It is vital to our mission ‘to engage Shelby County in providing area food pantries with the necessary annual resources to fulfill their food supply needs’, and with partnerships like the one we have with PK U.S.A., we see our mission carried on for a long, long time”.

May/June 2019 / Volume 3 / Issue 3

Feeding Our Communities

May/June 2019 / Volume 3 / Issue 3

Maintaining Compliance. To some, this sounds like a elementary undertaking. To those at most manufacturing facilities, this is a daunting task. PK U.S.A. has the right man on the job, and has since he came to PK U.S.A. in 2005.

Bryan Rosberg came to PK U.S.A., via Environmental Management Services, and has grown with his experience and expertise in the past 14 years. “I began my career here as a wastewater technician, ensuring our waste output won’t harm the environment. Through the years of working as an environmental manager and recycling chemical management, I have come to enjoy my job, responsibilities and the people I get to work with everyday”.

Bryan has been instrumental in obtaining the first ISO 14001 compliance certification in 2008, and has ensured all three facilities meet these requirements since that time. “Maintaining compliance at all three locations is definitely a team effort, and we have good people working hard at each location”.

Bryan’s environmental duties are broad. Chemical inventory, safety and training, compliances on lock-out and tag-out, waste streams, resins, recycling, regrinding, hazardous waste are just a few

catch-words you’ll hear Bryan discuss when he talks about all of his responsibility areas. “There are a lot of areas our group oversees, but we know what we are doing, and we have great support from PK to ensure we are compliant on all horizons. It is vital we are a good, responsible community partner in terms of waste materials, and our commendations show we do the best job a manufacturing facility can do in the State of Indiana”. The ESP Program (Environmental Stewardship Program) only has 3% of Indiana manufacturers in its ranks, and PK U.S.A. is one of them. PK U.S.A. is also a P2 Partner (Partner in Pollution Prevention) - both certifications were given to PK U.S.A. in 2017 by state commissioner Bruno Pigott. “The ESP Program is a voluntary, performance based leadership initiative designed to recognize and reward Indiana regulated entities for going above and beyond current environmental regulations. A lot of work went in to achieving this goal, but we are committed to responsible environmental stewardship through all of our processes at PK”.

Bryan has had a fascination with Chemistry since he was a kid, and his education in Chemistry, Business and Human Resources continually serves him well with his duties in environmental compliance and management.

“We continually reduce our water, electric and gas usage in an effort to lend to lessening emissions into the environment. Our customers, such as Subaru, take notice in our environmental commitments as well”.

Another facet of Bryan’s professional environmental commitment spills over into his personal beliefs - to mitigate our human impact on the planet by recycling responsibly. “We set up recycling programs for our PK U.S.A. associates that include electronic waste, i.e. computers, tv’s, phones

continued on the back

We Are Here for You!

The Registered Nurses (RNs) of Wise Health Decisions®, PK’s Wellness Program, are at your work site to help you feel well and be healthy. It is a free benefit offered by PK. Your test results and what is discussed are very confidential. The only information PK receives is whether you are in compliance with the participation rules so that you can pay the Wellness Premium for your health insurance instead of the Standard Premium. The Wellness Premium is $200/month less than the Standard Premium. Additionally, PK receives information about how much Engagement money you are eligible to receive each 6 months; but PK does not know the reason for the amount. Recall, you could receive $200, $150, $100, or $50 each six months. (See the last PK newsletter, ask your RN coach at your appointment for more details, or refer to your Benefits Manual.)

There are at least two reasons for you to choose to participate: 1: to continue to feel well or to feel better, and 2: to prevent the likelihood that you will get one or more chronic diseases or if you already have a chronic disease, prevent it getting worse.

Over 80% of chronic diseases, such as heart problems, diabetes, arthritis, and some cancers are due to unhealthy behaviors you do. If you make small changes in these unhealthy behaviors, you can feel well and decrease the risk of feeling ill.

Your Registered Nurses are here to help you feel well and prevent a disease by making healthier choices. The RNs will work with you to help you make small changes over time that fit your lifestyle, culture, preferences, and budget. The RNs know that small changes can produce big results. If you only want to participate in the wellness clinic appointments but not try what the RN recommends to be healthier, you are not required to change from an unhealthy behavior to a healthier one. The RN will explain what could happen if you chose not to change. The decision is entirely yours. Your will continue to pay the Wellness Premium for participation, but you may not be eligible for as much Engagement money.

The RNs are at your work site the following times to help you be well and healthy!

June - Tennessee*6/25 8am - 5pm6/26 8am - 12pm

July - Mississippi*7/17 6am - 2pm or 8am - 5pm 7/18 6am - 2pm or 8am - 5pm depending on schedule of shifts both days

June - Shelbyville6/11 8am - 4pm 6/12 8am - 4pm6/13 6pm - 12am6/18 8am - 4pm6/19 8am - 4pm6/20 6pm - 12am6/25 8am - 4pm

July - Shelbyville7/9 8am - 4pm7/10 8am - 4pm 7/11 6pm - 12am 7/18 6pm - 12am7/20 (Spouses) 9am - 3pm 7/23 8am - 4pm 7/24 8am - 4pm 7/25 (Spouses) 3pm - 8pm

*clinic hours may be adjusted depending on number of scheduled appointments

*clinic hours may be adjusted depending on number of scheduled appointments

600 West Northridge DriveShelbyville, Indiana 46176www.pkusa.com

This is arecyclable product

Presorted STDU.S. PostagePAID

Shelbyville, INPermit No. 3

and even paint and oil products. We ensure our department helps dispose of these products with the least impact on the environment. We encourage our associates to bring in any recyclables and use our oil reclamation service. I hope to make a difference in this job by providing recycling solutions for everyone in the company”.

Working with the local water treatment facility in Shelbyville has also built great relationships that span PK’s environmental commitments. “Brad Fix and Kevin Kredit have been crucial in our abilities to have such a strong environmental statement. We couldn’t do it without their support”.

“It is important to the Japanese to honor the environment. For centuries, their culture has honored the environment and its impact on everyday life. Today, all of us at PK U.S.A. do the same, to ensure the viability of our company, our families and our communities. Environmental duties don’t make a company money, but they pay dividends in community support and responsibility. PK U.S.A. has the desire to do what is best for their communities and the people in them, and that’s why my commitment to this company will never waiver”.

- continuedMemorial to Nicole Bradley “I had a situation she helped me through, I had no chance to reciprocate”. Chris Hessman was determined to ensure Nicole was not forgotten after her untimely death on March 11 of this year. “The world is a little less without her, she had a kind soul”. Chris suggested a memorial by planting a tree with a memorial plaque. He even offered to pay for it himself. However, PK U.S.A. was happy to ensure Nicole would be remembered, and planted a tree up front by the main entrance.”Now everyday when I

come in to work, I know I was able to do a little something in her memory, and I thank PK for taking this idea and making it happen so quickly”.