WELCOME TO CANADA!

nland nfo
THE OFFICIAL INLAND GROUP NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2015
WELCOME TO CANADA!
A message from
Tracey Russell
GM - Parker Pacific
I was excited for the opportunity to do
an in-depth feature on Parker Pacific for
this edition of Inland Info. I hope you’ll
take some time to read through this
issue and learn a bit about the history,
the people and the important aspects
of our thriving equipment business. To
start off, I thought I’d tell you a little bit
about my history with the company
and some insight into what drives our success.
Four of the technicians (L-R): Lee Livingstone, Matt Ginns, Ivor McBurney , Kevin Borthwick.
Parker Pacific has been an Inland Group brand since the
late 1940s. We have been involved with construction,
mining, forestry, and even had a successful era of our own
manufacturing. My introduction to Inland started in 1988
as a shipper receiver in the Houston, B.C. facility. I have
been fortunate enough to work in parts, Kenworth truck
sales, and equipment sales during a fantastic career at our
company.
The past few years have seen great growth and acceptance
of BC and Yukon customers. The foundation of our growth
has been exceptional customer service. To achieve our
goals requires a true partnership with the outstanding
manufacturers we represent. The combined pursuit of
industry leading after-sale support and innovation with
these manufacturers is a pleasure to be a part of.
Our company remains committed to training, facility
improvements, and providing the tools necessary for
all employees to excel. The long-term vision for growth
and stability is a testament to all of our employees. Our
customers’ needs are continually evolving and it is
imperative that we strive to exceed their expectations.
Due to an increasing shortage of Canadian heavy duty truck &
equipment techs, HR Manager, Lori Willcox, and Fort St. John Dealer
Manager, Greg Negus, headed overseas this past September.
Along with visiting Old Trafford, the Manchester United stadium in
England, eating some delicious Bangers & Mash and taking in the
sights in Dublin, Ireland, they conducted interviews in these two cities.
They met with 18 candidates and selected nine great technicians to
work in our Fort St John and Terrace locations. After the interviews,
they had a little time to take a tour of the beautiful Irish coast and
visited a centuries-old castle.
The new technicians and their families have started to arrive in Fort
St. John this January. After landing at the airport, they were a little
shocked by the cold weather! Greg is taking good care of them and is
helping them get settled into their new lives in Canada. He says that
the new fellows are pleased at how friendly and helpful our Inland
employees are!
In closing, a huge thank you to all employees for the extra
effort to go above and beyond for our customers. You
should be proud because, without you, we wouldn’t be the
strong, reputable company we are today.
Sincerely,
Tracey Russell
Lori and Greg at dinner with Sam, the recruiting agent from Dublin, Ireland.
INLAND-GROUP.COM
Photo by Chris Stubbs
The Parker Pacific Langley team at the 2015
TRUXPO Event in Abbotsford, B.C.
Parker Pacific’s mobile technicians
often venture far out into the beautiful
backcountry (over 2000 miles from
Albuquerque) to aid customers.
Parker Pacific will sometimes have awesome
machines in stock like this Case skid steer,
the “Monster Mudder.”
big-name companies, Grove and Tadano
produced quality cranes but didn’t quite
have the efficient transportation advantage
that Link-Belt possessed.
to hire a crane specialist, Peter Popoff.
Ken knew that this would be the guy that
could help All-West Crane & Rigging be the
company that Jerry knew it could be.
In December 2010,
after doing his
research on the
different Link-Belt
For years, Jerry and
Crane
models,
his team operated
Jerry
contacted
within 100 km
Ken Taylor, dealer
of Quesnel, B.C manager for Inland
servicing
heavy
Kenworth - Parker
industry. And while
Pacific in Quesnel.
business
moved
He already had a
along, Jerry knew
couple
Link-Belt
that they would
Jerry van Halderen
cranes, but they
eventually have to
just weren’t quite big enough to make
branch out to really thrive.
the switch to construction that Jerry was
Seeing an opportunity to break into the aiming for.
construction industry, Jerry took notice of
the uniquely transportable cranes that Link- Not long after his meeting with Ken Taylor,
Belt Cranes was producing. He knew that Parker Pacific made the strategic decision
Their initial meeting was the first of many
more. Since 2010, Peter and Jerry have
worked together to build a fleet of 10
cranes and a reputation for All-West that
has contractors taking notice.
A relationship like no other
When surviving businesses emerged from
the rubble of the 2008-2009 recession,
Jerry van Halderen knew that his company,
All-West Crane & Rigging, would have
to
expands
its
horizons to make a
comeback.
Tigercat L830C Feller Buncher
Jerry says that he truly believes his thriving
business would not be where it is today if
it weren’t for the knowledge, hard work
and loyalty shown by Peter and the Parker
Pacific team.
He has dealt with many sales reps, Jerry
says. “None of them have put in that kind
of personal connection and effort in
maintaining a relationship. Peter is now the
first person that I call.”
Link-Belt 240X2PHN Processor
Parker Pacific
Case CX300C Excavator
Tigercat 630D Skidder
Did you know?
A Tigercat feller buncher (far left) can cut and bunch several trees at once before placing
them on the ground.
A Link-Belt processor (second from left) can delimb a tree, measure and cut it to a specific
length within a half-an-inch tolerance at speeds of over 17 feet per second.
The bucket on a Case wheel loader (second from right) can be up to 7 cubic yards capacity
with material weights upwards of 15,000lbs.
A Tigercat Log Loader (middle left) can fill up a logging truck in under seven minutes.
Our brands
Tigercat 875 Log Loader
Link-Belt 360X2 Material Handler
Heide Baer - Equipment Coordinator
Rob Dunphy & Heide Baer
Home Office
Where are you from? All over! Though I’ve lived and worked abroad and have
called the Lower Mainland home for 18 years, still, I see myself as a BC mountain
girl and even occasionally as an Alberta farm kid
How long have you been with us? I started in a temporary support role at HO
in the fall of 2012 and soon after was given the opportunity to take a permanent
position as Equipment Sales Coordinator.
What do you enjoy about Inland? The people. It seems like only the very
capable thrive and the sales team that I work with is made up of not only smart,
but also warm and wonderful individuals.
Rob Dunphy - Equipment Coordinator
Where are you from? Born and raised on a farm in the small city of Kilkenny, Ireland. I moved to Vancouver in September 2012 after
finishing college.
How long have you been with us? I started in January 2014 which means this month is my one year anniversary!
What do you enjoy about Inland? It’s been a great year working with so many dedicated and hardworking people at the home office
while leaning a lot about the company and the province in the process.
Aeron McKie - Construction Sales Manager
Where are you from? Maple Ridge, B.C.
How long have you been with us? I started at Inland in February of 2014. Considering the majority of
people within our company are 10-40 year employees, this makes me REALLY new!
What do you enjoy about Inland? Of course this sounds completely cliché but I truly admire the company’s
commitment to their employees and customers. Never before have I seen such dedication towards the
employees and from the employees. The commitment level everyone throughout the company shares
towards each other and to our customers is really remarkable. This is very evident by the tenure throughout
our company.
Aeron McKie
Corey Timms - Forestry Sales Manager
Corey Timms
Where are you from? Houston, B.C.
How long have you been with us? 15 years
What do you enjoy about Inland? I have really enjoyed the last year traveling to all of our locations to
meet all of the great people that keep the gears turning in the big machine we call Inland. Also, despite the
significant growth that I’ve seen Inland go through over the past 15 years, there is still a strong family feel
throughout the entire company.
Case 1121F Wheel Loader
Link-Belt HTC-8675 Telescopic Crane
2014 Employee Anniversaries
15 Years
Michelle Brown - Home Office
Donald Brownfield - Phoenix
Julius Cuison - Phoenix
Duane Ladwig - Prince George
Rob Lane - Langley
Steven Lewis - Vernon
Jorge Martinez - Montebello
Bill Morrison - Goring
Stephen Portlock - Nanaimo
Hugo Rodrigues - Fontana
Kenneth Riter - Phoenix
Leigh Tougas - Goring
Tania Williams - Prince George
20 Years
Matt Allen - San Diego
Titus Anderson - Fontana
Mike Atkins - Vernon
Jason Best - Vernon
Berton Domke - Home Office
Scott Fender - Cranbrook
Gary Hartsell - Fontana
Michael Lambert - Fontana
Antonio Marcenari - Montebello
Stan Mattice - Campbell River
Tana Nohr - Williams Lake
Janice Paquette - Nanaimo
Tim Pigeon - Williams Lake
Ken Taylor - Quesnel
Pat Wilson - Goring
David White - Albuquerque
25 Years
Joe Bohannon - Phoenix
Dave Fellingham - Vernon
Falko Heuser - Campbell River
Duane Johnson - Home Office
Tiemo Meints - Vernon
Greg Negus, Dean Werstiuk, Dean Wood, Brian
Wildeman, Dale Eyben, Ron Anderson, Doug
Advocaat, Monte Albersworth, Danny Dileta
Movember in Fort St. John
CRM Training in Fontana
(L-R) Roberta Berkey, Carrie Rowley, Jackie Estavillo
Benny Verdugo & Rich Zeininger
Hallowen in Tucson
Robert Seccia - Fontana
Dennis Townsend - Prince George
Renee Unland - Montebello
Mark Zucker - Montebello
30 Years
Len Beauchamp - Kamloops
Corinne Gilmore - Goring
Steve Hoare - Kamloops
Ray Johns - PP Langley
35 Years
Debbie Aeichele - Vernon
Bernie Barneski - Goring
John Galbraith - Kamloops
40 Years
Gord Finlayson - Goring
Big Truck Parade in Campbell River
(L-R) Kourtney Vitcoe, Angela Dahl, Gary Johnson
Allie Risley & Bunny Patterson
Halloween in Langley
Glen Takacs & Don Blake
Halloween in Phoenix
Carrie Rowley & Janie Valdez
Hallowen in Phoenix
Brandon Henry
Halloween in Tucson
Halloween at Home Office
Online Training Courses by HR Downloads
Inland has partnered with HR Downloads to
help facilitate our training needs.
HR Downloads offers 120 online courses
over seven different categories. The courses
are accessed online and are in video format.
At the end of each course, there is a test and
a certificate of completion upon passing.
Most of the courses are between 30 and 60
minutes in length. There are courses offered
on leadership, performance, customer
service, wellness and safety. The safety
category is the second largest with courses
on lockout/tag out, fire safety, TDG, young
workers safety awareness and many more.
Further information will be coming in
the near future. Inland is committed to
improving the health and safety of all our
employees.
Submitted by Colette Mondin
Employee Recognition & Long Service Awards
Last year, we surveyed a wide cross section
of employees to obtain their thoughts and
opinions about long service awards, and
individual/team recognition awards. With
so many long service employees reaching
a five year milestone and being featured
in our annual Inland Info summary, this
seemed like a good time to bring everyone
up to date on what changes have been
made.
Long Service Awards
Generally, the vast majority of employees
appreciate being recognized for their tenure
with the company and five year intervals
seemed about right. Only one quarter of
those surveyed indicated a preference for
the company choice of the tangible award.
The rest would prefer to be able to select
from a range of awards to suit their lifestyle
and service recognition needs. About the
same ratio of employees favored the use of
gift cards instead of the current system.
Senior management have listened to
the feedback and implemented change
during the last quarter of last year. For
each five years of completed employment,
employees will now be presented with a
pre-loaded VISA card in the amount of $10
per year of service. At twenty-five years, we
are continuing with the “gold watch” award,
however employees are now invited to
select the watch from a catalogue that best
suits their personal style. These watches will
have the Inland “I” logo on the watch face
and a commemorative engraving on the
back of the style of watch selected. At 30,
35, and 40 years, employees will be invited
to select a gift from a catalogue with a wide
range of choice that matches their personal
interests and lifestyle.
majority of surveyed employees indicated
a preference for a “gift card” that could be
used in multiple locations.
5 YEAR SERVICE AWARD
Recognition Awards
Inland has adopted this practice to
ensure that staff are recognized for their
achievements in an appropriate fashion.
Inland recognizes and values the efforts and
accomplishments of our staff members, and
the contributions they make towards the
success of our company. Inland may provide
recognition in the following manners:
• Verbal or written congratulations and/or
thanks;
• Awards for excellence and/or achievement;
and
• Ceremonies for the celebration and
communication of excellence and/or
achievement.
Inland will ensure that all recognition
provided reflects the staff member or
team’s ability to successfully meet or exceed
defined corporate objectives, goals and
values and will ensure that the recognition
creates a lasting effect.
This is a large topic, so I am only going to
review the part of the recognition awards
that deals with individuals. Again, your
employee feedback was valued and
provided important guidance to us. When
asked about a “points system” that some
companies use compared with a “gift card”
system that other companies use, the vast
INLAND-GROUP.COM
Senior management has listened to this
feedback as well, and I am very pleased
to advise that very shortly, Branch Dealer
Managers and Corporate Managers will
be empowered to recognize employees’
superior accomplishments in the workplace
through a pre-loaded VISA card. The VISA
cards can be re-loaded, so if an employee
or group of employees is recognized more
than once, their personalized card they
were given the first time will be reloaded
with the new recognition amount.
The VISA cards that will be provided for
both of these programs are valid for
designated vendors only. Employees will
be provided with a list of these vendors,
and I’m confident all employees will find
the selection sufficiently broad enough
to meet everyone’s preferences. The Long
Service Award card is not reloadable – once
used, it can be kept by the recipient as a
memento of the service achievement. The
Recognition Award Card is re-loadable,
so once an employee receives their first
recognition award, it is important to retain
the card even if the balance was used to
zero. The old Performance Bonus program
will be discontinued effective with this
current fiscal year.
Submitted by Kent Brownlow