Corporate officials at Performance Pipe (a division of Phillips Chemical Company, LP) traveled from their offices in Plano to present the Brownwood plant the highest award of their company Tuesday evening, after considering closing the plant just 28 months ago.
General Manager Lawyer Jolley, a former plant manager in Brownwood, spoke to a group of employees and management at an awards ceremony at the Martin and Francis Lehnis Railroad Museum about the history and near ending of the plant in January 2011, and how the employees fought hard to turn the plant around to the extent they are now known internationally in the Performance Pipe family of plants. Their survival story, along with a fantastic safety record, is the reasons they were presented the prestigious President’s OE Award for 2012.
According to Jolley, just 28 months ago, management and corporate officials met at the same location to discuss the future of the then struggling Brownwood Plant which was plagued with employee injuries and production issues.
Plant Manager Mike Hemm stated that Jolley was the one who really fought for the Brownwood plant, really believing in the people of the plant and their potential to turn it around.
“He was the one who really believed in you guys, that you were a key to that success, that you each make a difference,” said Hemm to employees. “He put a big chunk of his professional future and respect on the line. We were deciding how the plant would go forward and you guys met that challenge and did a fantastic job of turning the plant around.”
Jolley stated that he spent long hours with corporate officials and they stated at the time that they were “sick of this Brownwood plant.” Jolley, knowing the potential of the plant and its employees, gave corporate a list of reasons why they shouldn’t close the plant. His wife even encouraged him take action, telling him that he could not let the plant be closed which he said was a huge motivator.
“I listed the reasons why they shouldn’t close the plant and listed the benefits that the Brownwood plant affords us,” Jolley said. “There were people I knew that with the right leadership could turn that around. I risked my career on it.”
Jolley stated that now when he meets with senior officials, he never attends a meeting where he doesn’t receive a congratulatory statement on the Brownwood Plant.
Hemm outlined how each year the plant made progress toward the effort. In 2009, there were only 1-2 injuries, 2010 the plant set two production records, 2011 the plant set another two production records, 2012 an astounding 9 production records were set, and in 2013, three out of the four months, the plant has continued to set production records each month. He stated that the employees produced 180 million pounds of pipe during the 28 month period – since Hemm began managing the plant. Shipping records were also set, 2009 started with 1, 2011 had 3 records, 2012 had 8 record months and 2013 has seen a perfect 4 months so far.
To these operational records and obvious improvements, Hemm stated the plant was like Tiger Woods, it quietly began its comeback and just like Tiger said, “I’m back,” this plant “the new Brownwood” can say, “We’re back.”
In fact, they have had 876 days without any reportable injuries as of Tuesday night according to Hemm and corporate officials.
Because of the turnaround of the operation, Jolley stated that the Brownwood plant had earned the admiration, pride and respect of all who work in the Performance Pipe family, even overseas other plants have heard the miraculous story of change. He encouraged employees to continue their efforts.
“We must continually earn the right to operate,” said Jolley.
Corporate-wide, Jolley stated that for the first time ever, nine out of ten facilities have gone a year without injury. He reminded employees, “do not get complacent,” and challenged them to reach 12 months straight without injuries at those nine plants, which could be reached in August.
Awards were presented to committee members who helped to bring about change in the Brownwood Plant. (Photos below in photo gallery)
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the President’s OE Award by Jolley to Hemm and plant employees. Chevron Phillips Chemical President and CEO Pete Cella offered videotaped congratulations to the Brownwood employees and management.
Pictured above is the presentation of the President’s OE Award. Hemm (left) and Jolley (center) are pictured with members of the Brownwood plant and the prestigious trophy.
Hemm outlined the importance of the company in Brownwood. The Brownwood Performance Pipe plant is the largest polyethylene pipe plant in North America. It produces $85-90 million dollars worth of business for the company. There are 68 employees at the Brownwood facility.
James Miller, Manufacturing Manager from the Plano corporate offices stated that the plant in Brownwood is very important to Performance Pipe and the Brownwood community.
“The plant here is very important, there are lots of smaller plants around here, but this one puts food on the table for a lot of families, pays their mortgages and has provided education for a lot of kids,” said Miller. “It’s been a really good match for Performance Pipe, a very good partnership for the corporation and the community of Brownwood.”
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