United Producers Recognizes Employees for Continued Success
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2008
Columbus, OH - - Several employees were recognized at the United Producers annual employee meeting, held August 15th and 16th in Indianapolis, Indiana. Company awards presented varied from the Unity Cup, Spirit of Excellence and Pacesetter Awards, which were presented to employees located at the cooperative’s facilities throughout the Midwest.
“We truly have an outstanding group of employees, who are very dedicated to their jobs and the success of our operations,” said Dennis Bolling, President and CEO of United Producers, Inc. “Our employees are a huge asset to this cooperative and we are pleased to be recognizing them for their exceptional efforts.”
The Unity Cup Award is the highest award given to an operation by the cooperative. The Unity Cup is awarded to a group of employees who demonstrate hard working can-do attitudes, produce excellent bottom line results and provide exceptional customer service. This year’s recipient was the UPI – Fowler, MI facility. The facility is operated by an excellent staff, including Denny Thelen, Collection Point Manager; John Fisher, Hog Sales Desk Manager; Diana Unrath, Hog Sales Desk Assistant; Roy Mizer, Senior Regional Manager.
The Most Improved Profit Center Award is given to the operation that has shown the most improvement in bottom line results, teamwork, efficiency and leadership efforts toward improving their facility over the past 12 months. This year’s Most Improved Profit Center was the UPI – Irvington, KY facility, represented by Gary Carman, Manager; Sheila Magner, Office Manager; Jeff Carman, Meryl Carman, James Cecil, Bill Thompson, Mike Miller, Yardsmen; Roy Broyles, Senior Regional Manager.
The Highest Contribution Margin Award is given to the operation that has posted the highest contribution margin over the past 12 months. The award went to UPI – Direct Hogs, which is operated by Jeff Karshner, Denny Thelen, Dean Durbin, Sam Tone, Greg Barger, Ron Kirpatrick and Loretta Baytops.
The UPI – Little York, IN facility was recognized as the Most Improved Contribution Margin Percentage. This location is operated by Dan Ashley, Manager.; Ryan Batt, Assistant Manager; Holly Richardson, Office Manager; Roy Broyles, Senior Regional Manager.
Eight Outstanding Performance Awards were presented to those operations who demonstrated outstanding performance through successful leadership efforts, positive attitudes and generally going above and beyond general expectations. Those recipients were: UPI – Bucyrus, OH; Cass City, MI; Feeder Pig Division; Frankfort, IN; Hillsboro, OH; Maryville, MO; Shelbyville, IL; St. Louis, MI.
The Spirit of Excellence Award is a unique award given to either a group or an individual showing superior teamwork and company leadership. This year Scott Acker and his team of Livestock Operations in Michigan won this award due to their diligent work and dedication to the success of the cooperative’s operations.
Eleven Pacesetter Awards were given to individuals for their exceptional accomplishments and superior customer services. This year’s recipients included: Eric Rayburn, Corporate; Sam Roberts, Cattle Sales; Jeff Karshner, Hogs Direct; Chris Dannhausen, Corporate; Gary Coleman, Producers Credit Corporation; Sheila Magner, Irvington, KY; Brad Warner, Corporate; Gene Price, Shelbyville, IL; Heather Mills, St. Louis, MI; Rich Majzik, Corporate; Glen Gordon, Goreville/Salem, IL.