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A Message from USAgain Leadership: Newsletter Q2
by Mattias Wallander, CEO
Greetings all USAgain staff!
As I write these words, we have received news that we recently lived through the hottest day on earth in recorded history. This is not very interesting, but here is the remarkable part of that news story: The temperature record that was beaten that day in late July of 2024 was only a day old! How about that for a Groundhog Day!
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The temperature record itself is not newsworthy, in my opinion, simply because we expected a new record to be set. We have known for many years that we will keep setting new temperature, storm, flood and drought records, as long as we keep burning fossil fuels and keep fueling the climate crisis.
We also know that the rising temperatures are causing mass extinction of species on our planet, including a credible threat to our own species, forcing millions of people to flee their homes in search of food, water, and a livable environment. A small portion of these climate refugees are even finding their way to the border of this country in search of sympathy.
The fashion industry is responsible for a large portion of the climate effects that we are seeing around the world and most, 94%, of the major fashion brands do not have a public target for their transition to renewable energy. Puma and Gucci are some of the few exceptions.
Results January - July 2024
29 Millions of Pounds of Clothes and Shoes Reused.
58 Thousands of Trees Planted.
580,000 People Clothed.
435 Millions of Pounds of CO2 Emissions Prevented.
In the meantime, here at USAgain, we extend the lives of usable clothes and shoes and in that way, we are both fighting the Climate Crisis and offering possibilities for people to dress with dignity at a fraction of the cost of new clothes. Changing the world is an impossible task, made possible each day by showing up and sticking together about taking intentional actions that point towards a better future.
Thank you for doing your part to make the world a little better, together.
With love and respect,
Mattias
Southern California Division
Established in 2007 and moved into its current 24,000 square foot warehouse in Anaheim in 2022.
The division consists of 27 employees, where 7 work in the collection department, 9 in the handling department, 8 in the clothing drop spot department, 1 in maintenance, and 2 in the overall management.
While the weekly collection is about 200,000 pounds, the division also processes from 200,000 to 300,000 pounds of clothing received from Denver and San Francisco, so up to 500,000 pounds are unloaded, processed and shipped out of the Southern California warehouse each week.
About 55% of the collection is from Clothing Drop Spots, and 45% of the collection is from TreeMachine sites.
Our current Must Win Battle is completing our Collection Team. The Southern California division currently has 4 trucks and runs 26 routes per week. We are looking for a second shift driver to join our team so we can open 4 more routes, preparing us for the anticipated growth from our drop spots. This also will allow us to make our current routes shorter, cutting down on driver overtime, a Matter to Move of ours currently. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to service some top sites twice a day!
USAgain decided to invest in an automated baling machine capable of producing 20 bales/hr. The Valvan baler not only streamlines our output but creates a safer environment by minimizing manual labor During the first 2 months of operating the new baler, we navigated through multiple obstacles which yielded a productivity of 1,051 lbs /hr
However, for the months of June and July, we began to see a significant increase June = 1,347 (+28%) July = 1,661 (+23%)
Although we were able to achieve these figures in our processing alone, one process still required some finishing touches.
New In
Offloading! As a processing facility, we’ve had to rely heavily on manual labor for offloading material from satellite trailers. This process is time-consuming and laborintensive, leading to higher labor costs, lower productivity for the warehouse, and an increased risk of injury.
Like the baler, we encountered multiple obstacles that delayed the implementation of this unit, which has in turn prevented us from achieving our targeted productivity of 2,000 lbs./hr. As of week 29, the grappler was fully operational, and training began. We have cut down the unloading time of a full trailer from 7-8 hours to now 1.5 hours, thus seeing an increase in productivity and a decrease in labor costs. In addition, the grappler allows us to complete live unloads, which also contributes to lower freight cost.
Together the Cascade grappler and Valvan baler provide consistent and precise baling, reducing errors and enhancing product quality. This leads to fewer complaints from customers due to manual baling, which in accordance with our quality standards, reduces the need to re-do bales.
Customer Service Department
Our Customer Service Department is a vital component of our team here at USAgain. This department is crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of our services. They validate routes, answer calls from patrons, site hosts, and property management, and promptly address any inquiries or issues. They also work seamlessly with other departments to address matters and keep things moving.
Matter to Move & Must Win Battle
The Customer Service Team is dedicated to delivering outstanding support and maintaining operational efficiency They handle route validations and assist patrons and Site Hosts, helping us uphold our commitment to excellent service and operational excellence. Their work directly contributes to our sustainability and community support mission, ensuring that our processes run seamlessly and that our patrons, Site Hosts, and Property Managers receive same-day assistance and resolution of any issues
One of the most important Matters to Move and Must win Battles currently for Customer Service Department is the e-check conversion project with our Site Hosts. It is very important as it will benefit USAgain with significant cost reductions, increased efficiency, high level of security, improved cash flow management and greater flexibility.
Switching to eChecks is an unequivocally beneficial move. This transition reduces greenhouse gas emissions, fuel consumption, and landfill waste, while also preserving vital forests. Moreover, it will greatly enhance our operational efficiency and productivity.
We value the hard work and dedication of our Customer Service team, who continue to enhance our service delivery and support our overarching goals.
Celebrations & Anniversaries
Congratulations on another successful year with USAgain LLC. Your dedication and hard work continue to inspire us. Here's to more achievements and growth in the coming years!
Jacklyn Solis 5th Work Anniversary
Human Resources Department, Human Resources Generalist-May 8th, 2024
Jacklyn first joined USAgain in 2019 as a Recruiter in the Human Resources department, where she quickly made a mark with her exceptional skills in talent acquisition and her ability to find the perfect fit for our growing team. Her enthusiasm and dedication during this time played a crucial role in shaping the strong, capable team we have today
In 2022, Jacklyn embraced a new challenge and transitioned to the role of Human Resources Generalist. This shift allowed her to expand her impact, contributing her expertise to a broader range of HR functions and further enhancing our workplace culture.
Latha Sivan 15th Work Anniversary
CMS Support Department, Software Support Administrator-June 16th, 2024
Latha joined USAgain in 2009 as an Administrator for our Seattle division. Over the years, her commitment and expertise have not only supported but greatly enhanced our operations. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes and challenges, Latha showcased her adaptability and resilience.
In 2020, she transitioned to the CMS Support team, a shift that highlighted her versatility and readiness to tackle new roles. Her ability to navigate these changes with grace and professionalism exemplifies the spirit of teamwork and dedication we cherish at USAgain.
Angel Avila – 5th Work Anniversary
Denver Division, Transportation Assistant June 24th, 2024
Angel began his journey with USAgain in 2019 as a Driver Service Representative. In this role, he quickly became known for his exceptional customer service and dedication to ensuring smooth operations on the road. In 2023, Angel embraced a new opportunity and transitioned to the role of Transportation Assistant. This move allowed him to further leverage his skills and experience in a broader capacity, supporting our transportation operations with his trademark efficiency.
Octavio Lopez – 5th Work Anniversary
Southern California Division, Transportation Manager - July 15th, 2024
Octavio joined USAgain in 2019 as a Driver Service Representative. From the start, he demonstrated a strong work ethic and a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional service. Octavio transitioned to the role of Transportation Assistant, the culmination of his journey came in 2022, when Octavio stepped into the role of Transportation Manager for the Southern California division. In this leadership position, he has taken on new challenges with remarkable skill, overseeing our transportation operations and driving efficiency and growth.
John Loeser – 10th Work Anniversary
Saint Louis Division, Driver Service Representative-July 29th, 2024
John began his journey with us a decade ago, starting as a Warehouse Material Handler. As his expertise and dedication continued to shine, John was promoted to the role of Driver Service Representative in the Saint Louis division. In this position, he expanded his impact, providing exceptional support to our drivers and contributing to the seamless execution of our transportation services. His contributions have played a vital role in our success, and his journey is a testament to his hard work and commitment.
Anthony Gasper – 5th Work Anniversary
Chicago Division, Division Manager July 29th, 2024
In June 2010, Anthony Gasper joined USAgain as a sales representative but soon transitioned to a Driver at the MSP Division. Within months, he was promoted to Transportation Assistant, and by December 2011, he stepped into a temporary Warehouse Manager role, eventually taking it on permanently. With USAgain expanding south, he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, in 2014 to open a new satellite operation as an Operations Manager. Following the 2015 closure of the Des Moines office, Anthony relocated to Colorado, where he won a
PODS driving championship and managed markets in Minnesota. He later joined Savers as a Production Manager before returning to Usagain in June 2019 as a Division Manager in Chicago, where he has spent most of the past five years.
Safety Highlights
Dear Team,
In Q3, let's take a moment to emphasize the importance of safety in our workplace. Each of you plays a vital role in creating a safe environment, so let’s prioritize it this quarter. Please remember to adhere to all safety protocols, stay vigilant of your surroundings, avoid distractions, and report any potential hazards immediately. Whether using equipment correctly, maintaining clean workspaces, practicing safe lifting, or looking out for one another, your actions can make a significant difference. Together, we can ensure that Q3 is not only productive but also our safest quarter yet. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to safety and for fostering a culture of care within our team. Let’s keep looking out for each other and maintain a safe workplace. - HR Department
New in Safety
We will now have welding screens in every division for refurbishing TreeMachines. These screens are essential for maintaining a safe work environment by shielding our team from harmful welding sparks and UV radiation.
By implementing this safety measure, we aim to significantly reduce the risk of injuries and ensure that everyone can work more safely and effectively.
Safety Ranking Q2
This Graph explains the number of incidents per division and the cost associated with each full-time employee.
Idea & Purpose
USAgain’s Idea and Purpose highlights the core values of our company and culture!
“We Perform with Superior Operational Reliability”
The combination of modernized equipment, optimized processes, and innovative solutions demonstrates USAgain's unwavering dedication to operational excellence.
By developing ways to improve and streamline our operations, we're not only driving our success but also contributing to a more sustainable and efficient future for the industry.
Welcome to Our Garden Project
We are excited to share an update on one of our key initiatives for 2024: the School Garden Project. As part of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and fostering community engagement, we have set an ambitious goal to build 10 school gardens this year.
We are thrilled to announce that we have already achieved a significant milestone in this initiative. Over the year, we have successfully established 3 school gardens—2 in Southern California and 1 in Chicago. These gardens have been created in partnership with our host schools, and each one serves as a living testament to our dedication to sustainability and education.
The school gardens are more than just green spaces; they represent our collective effort to make a positive impact on the environment and provide valuable learning opportunities for students By growing these gardens, we are not only contributing to a healthier planet but also nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.
“This initiative is a crucial part of my training experience at USAgain, where gardening profoundly impacts our lives by promoting environmental health and ensuring access to fresh, organic produce, leading to better nutrition. Gardening educates us on biology, ecology, and sustainability while fostering a sense of responsibility. It also builds bonds between our Southern California Division and the community”
By Renta Souza
I ut teamwork!
At USAgain, we envision a world where every school hosts a Tree Machine a powerful force against global warming and climate change. With the support of the Business Development Team, we mapped schools with Tree Machines near our warehouses in West Chicago and Southern California that were looking to establish garden beds.
To support this initiative, I created a landing page showcasing the garden beds made in 2019 and 2020 (before COVID), developed content for emails and presentations, and organized several meetings to present my findings and understand the schools' needs. Lucy mentioned the project in Webinars for prospective, giving me more support in this project. In SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAAL Jorge helped to build the beds and deliver them to the schools. In Chicago Luiz Diaz and Anthony helped to build the bed and created the action day. So, as you can see: It’s all about teamwork!
Manhattan Beach Middle School California - sought sponsors for their new garden. Collaborating with science teacher Neil, we organized a vibrant action day with 20 enthusiastic students, parents, and volunteers. Together, we successfully added two 4' x 8' x 1' garden beds to the growing garden.
At USAgain, we envision a world where every school hosts a Tree Machine
Bednarcik Junior High School in Chicagopartnered with USAgain to construct two garden beds, each measuring 4' x 10' x 1'. We were joined by 30 enthusiastic 7th-grade students whose teamwork was outstanding. They organized a group to water the plants and maintain the garden throughout the summer vacation.
Conclusion
Our garden project at USAgain highlights the significant impact that gardening can have on education, community building, and environmental sustainability. By collaborating with schools and volunteers, we have not only created beautiful gardens but also fostered a sense of community and environmental stewardship. The enthusiastic participation from students, parents, and teachers has been inspiring and demonstrates the powerful role that gardening can play in enhancing our lives and promoting a sustainable future.
CUMC Preschool California - hosted a collaborative activity on a Sunday involving parents, kids, and volunteers. Although the garden bed space was smaller than anticipated (3' x 6' x 1'), we provided two beds for their new garden. The school director was thrilled about the opportunity to teach the kids about gardening. Additionally, the school hosted a clothing and shoe collection event during the same week.