Meet Storage Solutions Employee Kenny Casey

Kenny CaseyStorage Solutions would like to introduce you to the man behind all the warehouse activity, Kenny Casey. Kenny takes care of everything that goes on in the warehouse, from getting orders together to managing the warehouse employees.

Product Knowledge/Specialties: Pallet Rack is my Game!

Family:  Wife – Sheila, Son – Patrick, Stepson – Steven, Stepdaughter – Stephanie, Step-Grandson – Damien

Favorites

  • Food: Steak
  • TV Show: Sons of Anarchy
  • Team: Alabama Crimson Tide (ROLL TIDE!!)

Interests: Motorcycling / Currently in my 6th year as serving as Region XI Director for ABATE of Indiana

What has been your most rewarding experience as a part of the SSI team? Feeling appreciated for what I bring to the table.

If you have any warehouse quesitons give Kenny a call. He knows what he is talking about, as it is said above… “pallet rack is Kenny’s game.”

Storage Solutions Employees Go Way Back

vinoThey say great employees are like fine wine…

Okay, no one actually says that. At least, I don’t think they do.  But what I DO know is that with so many long-time Storage Solutions employees, there’s got to be something special going on around here.

Among our longest employees:

Craig McElheny, CEO
Kevin Rowles, President
Bill Beeker, CFO
Angie Rajski, VP Project Coordination
Rick Brodfuehrer, National Sales
Tim Fonderoli, National Sales
Mike Goode, VP Used Equipment
Chastity Wilke, VP National Accounts
Deana Purevich, Accounting
Rose Riggins, Front Desk & Accounting

I have been around some of these long-time employees for years and in the last year and a half, I have been able to interact with them as co-workers, and I have to say that Storage Solutions has one of the most closely-knit, fun groups of employees around. We decided to ask our tenured employees what has kept them here for so long, and what advice they can offer to young professionals who are new to the work force.

Angie RajskiANGIE RAJSKI
Tenure: 14 years

What is your job function?  How has that evolved over time?
I am the Project Coordinator for our National Sales team.  I have worn so many hats over the years here, but in the last 5 years we have really streamlined my position into a more defined role to match my specific talents and expertise.

What makes SSI a place you have wanted to stay for so long?
The owner of this company, Craig, is extremely generous.  I have the benefit of flexibility so I can juggle my family, top notch technology to make my job easier, and a very organized team to help me be successful in my position.  Even in our busiest times, my team still manages to have fun and enjoy what we do.

If you could tell young employees/professional one important tip to job satisfaction and success, what would it be?
Change is constant.  To be successful, you have to put 100% effort into your job and take pride in it every day.  It’s all about communicating and having respect for your co-workers, customers, and really, everyone in general, if you want to have a successful and satisfying career.

– – –

Tim FonderoliTim Fonderoli
Tenure: 10 years

What is your job function?  How has that evolved over time?
I am a National Accounts Manager and sell to customers all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  When I first started, I was teamed up with another sales rep.  We would go out and door knock locations locally to try and find anyone who needed racking or shelving. We even sold to people who wanted to put shelving in their garages. I did a lot of locker work selling to schools, fire departments, police departments… anyone or any place.  I have since broken off on my own and mainly focus on warehouses and large clients.  I look for opportunities through the internet, referrals and cold calling.

What makes SSI a place you have wanted to stay for so long?
I have only had 4 employers my entire life. A truck stop in Illinois in high school, Master Chief Petty Officer for U.S. Navy, and Director of Admissions at a local college for 4 years before coming to Storage Solutions.  A friend actually recommended me to Craig (McElheny) and Kevin (Rowles). I got the interview, saw the direction Storage Solutions was headed and with the unlimited growth opportunities, I jumped on it. I love my job. I love the people I work with. I love seeing an empty warehouse and when we are done, it’s full of products.   This is a very rewarding job and I can’t see myself doing anything else. I don’t think I want to retire. I can see myself working for Storage Solutions for another 25 plus years! This is my family!!!

If you could tell young employees/professional one important tip to job satisfaction and success, what would it be?
Find a company that solves problems and won’t stifle your growth. You work most of your life. You’ll spend three-fourths of your time every day working. So get with a company and people you can work with, who want to have fun and take care of customers, and you’ll feel like you’re not working. You’re just enjoying your life and all it has to offer.

– – –

Kevin RowlesKevin Rowles
Tenure:  17 years

What is your job function?  How has that evolved over time?
Current job title:  President.  Past job functions:  Sales manager, Vice President Pharm Lab Division, Executive Vice President.

What makes SSI a place you have wanted to stay for so long?
Challenge – Growth Opportunity – Good People – Great Company!

If you could tell young employees/professional one important tip to job satisfaction and success, what would it be?
Make yourself valuable to your employer. Be creative. Have passion for what you do.  The rest will take care of itself!

– – –

Deana PurevichDeana Purevich
Tenure: 23 years

What is your job function?  How has that evolved over time?
I am currently involved in the Accounting/IT side of Storage Solutions, though I have worn so many hats over the years I’m afraid I lost count.

What makes SSI a place you have wanted to stay for so long?
Storage Solutions will always be a family business in my heart (Dad, Dick McElheny started Storage Solutions, then Penco of Indiana, in 1978).  The many wonderful friendships I’ve created over the years make it an easy place to want to stay.

Storage Solutions Term of the Week: Carousel Storage Systems

This Week’s Term Of The Week:

Carousel Storage Systems

There are two main types of Carousel Storage Systems that we use here at Storage Solutions. The first is Lektriever which is used for light duty projects. Lektriever allows one person to do the filing and the materials that would normally take 3 people to do. This is a very simple system it centralizes your storage in one small space so you don’t have to waste time looking through cabinets or shelving. Its rotating shelves deliver your times quickly and efficiently. By using the Lektriever it reduces the amount of floor space devoted to filing and storage.

carouselThe second type of Carousel Storage System is Industriever which is used for more heavy duty projects. Industriever allows customers to simply enter the part into a computer and then the shelves with rotate delivering the desired item to the operator.  Some features to the Industriever include a 650 pound maximum load capacity per carrier or shelf, four point tracking for maximum support, lockable doors and infra-red safety eyes to keep the carriers from rotating when parts are being taken out.

Want more information on Carousel Storage Systems? Contact our online sales team at 866.474.2001!

Chastity Wilke Featured In MHW Magazine!

We don’t mean to brag, but we’re pretty stoked that Storage Solutions employee Chastity Wilke was featured in this month’s issue of Material Handling Wholesaler Magazine!  Both in print and online, the article, Salute To Women: October 2011: The Doors Are Wide Open, turns to Chastity and another female industry professional to discuss women’s roles in the material handling industry.

Keep on reading for some of our favorite parts:  chastity wilke

On considering the material handling industry for young female professionals:
“Pallet rack, steel shelving – they’re not things a girl usually dreams of surrounding herself with when she enters the working world. But if you focus on the fact that being a woman in this industry is just as satisfying and achievable as anything else, more young women would be willing to give it a shot.”

On what it takes to make it in this industry:
“You have to be ready to trade in your fancy business suit for a pair of steel-toed boots and a hard hat. It takes time and knowledge to succeed in this industry, which are two things that can sometimes be lost on people just starting in the working world. If you remember that it takes a while to get your footing, once you give it a chance, I think you can surprise yourself.”

Be sure to check out the full article available both in print and online!

A Day In The Life Of A Rookie: Efficiency

Efficiency is the title for the fourth edition of my blog because that’s the main thing I’ve accomplished over the past three weeks. Not necessarily learning more product or industry information but getting better with the things I’ve already learned. It might sound boring but it’s pretty important.

multitaskingIt’s important because efficiency allows me more time to focus on new projects, in turn, giving me more opportunities to learn product and industry information. So as you can see, efficiency directly relates to me progressing with this business. For example, I’ve gotten much better coordinating with our installation crews and keeping a mental note of what phase different projects are in and which people are where. When I first started, things moved fast and I had a hard time taking in information without feeling like my head would explode. Now, things still move fast, but I know the information a little better so it’s easier to take in and I can do the coordinating quicker.

To end this Blog I wanted to do something a little different.  Because I’m still learning the business/industry I thought it would be interesting, and possibly comforting, to hear some rookie stories from others around the office.  It could’ve been a story that stuck out in someone’s mind, maybe the day everything clicked, maybe a mistake they made, whatever they remember from being the new person in this industry.  I decided on contrasting inputs, one person fairly new to the industry and another who’s been around the block once or twice. Enjoy!

Dan Storey, Project Manager – 2 years with Storage Solutions

“My first (of many) rookie mistakes was an oversight on lead time.  I had a customer who ordered some racking from Storage Solutions, but we had to order the wire decking new.  I forgot to accommodate for the manufacturing lead time when I scheduled for the installation.  Long story short, we sent down the used uprights, beams, and hardware with our installers, but there were no decks for them to put on the racks.  So, we had to scramble to find available equipment that would work for this job because the customer needed it done ASAP.  The story has a happy ending though… we were able to get them the products necessary to finish the install and they were happy with the end result.  I also learned a valuable lesson about lead times in the process!”

Kevin Rowles, President – 17 Years with Storage Solutions

“This may not be comforting to you, but after 17 years in this industry I still feel like a “rookie”!  There is much for us all to learn and multiple opportunities in our ever changing business world – but, you must have passion for what you do, keep your eyes open, and maintain your entrepreneurial attitude!   It’s overwhelming at times – but would have it no other way…that challenging spirit is contagious around here and contributes to our success…and headaches!  (also contributes to waking up in the middle of the night – just keep your notepad handy and go back to bed :)”

WE DIG PINK

For all of you sports fans out there, I think you’ll agree that Fall is one of the best times of year.  While Indianapolis is collectively cringing at the 0-4 record of our beloved Colts, there are plenty of other sports teams, both collegiate and professional, to cheer for.  Most of you may have begun to notice your favorite teams breaking out their pink towels, gloves and jerseys this week.  October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

oct-breast-cancer-awareness-month1-resized-600One thing is for certain:  I did not receive the athletic genes in my family.  My younger sister, Claire, definitely did.  She is a red-shirt junior on the University of Michigan volleyball team (GO BLUE!)  Every year during the first week of October, the University of Michigan athletic department and Michigan sports teams put on a week-long fundraiser to raise money for breast cancer research.  At the end of the week, they sport pink jerseys and auction them off to donate the proceeds after the match.  The “pink match” is this weekend.

It’s not just her team that participates.  College and professional programs nationwide will sport their pink this month in order to raise awareness about a disease that kills approximately 40,000 women in the United States every year.  Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer behind lung cancer.

Luckily, significant progress has been made in the last few years, and the five-year survival rate for women who have caught this type of cancer early-on is between 81% and 85%.  Whether pink is your thing or not, consider sporting the color sometime this month in honor of all the people lost, suffering and currently fighting this disease.

To donate to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fund through the American Cancer Society, click here.

SNEAK PEEK: Next Viperbid Indiana Auction, MON. NOV. 7

We’re making some major progress on getting our next auction ready for viewing!  We’ve got more of the same great inventory as we had for the last auction, but have added some more pallet rack, lockers, and a Sulair Compressor and Hydronix Air Dryer, both of which are in GREAT condition!

Over the next few weeks we will be finalizing our auction lots and getting things up on the Viperbid Indiana website!  Items will be live and available for pre-bidding starting Tuesday, October 18.  Due to some software limitations, we aren’t able to provide extensive previews of some of our items before we have EVERYTHING finished, so we thought we’d go ahead and give you a sneak peek through our blog!

If you have any questions regarding Viperbid Indiana auctions and how to sign up, email [email protected].  You can view some additional photos by clicking the More Info link on the upcoming auction page.

SNEAK PEEK

Sulair Compressor Sulair Air Compressor
Mod#: DW13-100H
Ser#: 003-90
Penco Lockers  Penco Lockers
4 wide; 12″ x 12″ x 60″
3M-Matic Taper  3M-Matic Taper
Case-Sealing System
800af Adjustable Case Sealer

There are almost 100 items going in to this auction!  Be sure to check back in a few weeks to see all of our items and begin prebidding!

Storage Solutions Term Of The Week: Mezzanine

This week’s Term Of The Week:

Mezzanine

Mezzanine PictureA mezzanine is a structure that stands alone and is constructed within an existing building. This structure is designed to maximize space under and above it which creates additional space for storage or offices. These are extremely durable structures; they are designed to sustain heavy loads. It is usually engineered for specific needs. These are great for creating other levels using your existing space; if you need more space allow mezzanines to build up instead of out.

Mezzanines are used all over the place. Have you ever parked in a parking garage? In some parking garages you will find mezzanines. Installation is quick and easy, so if you are looking for more space optimization out of your warehouse, consider mezzanines.

Contact Storage Solutions to find out how to better optimize your storage space and warehouse capabilities in a cost-effective way!  866.474.2001

Source: WikiMHEDA-Mezzanine