Pye-Barker Supply Co November 2018

www.pyebarker.com

1-800-282-9784

P.O. Box 1387 (30298) 121 Royal Dr. Forest Park, GA 30297

NOVEMBER 2018

WHAT I’M THANKFUL FOR

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s clear that our company has a lot to be thankful for. We’re wrapping up a great fiscal year, hiring on a new VP of operations, and growing our team to provide even better service. While I’m sure the next few months will be busy as we find innovative ways to keep this momentum into the new year, it’s a nice feeling to head toward the holiday season in such a strong position. It lets me focus on my family and the great food we’ll have at Thanksgiving dinner! Now, I have to admit that the turkey is not really the main event at our feasts. No disrespect to the bird, but since my wife and I juggle whose in-laws get what holiday, we’ve had to put some ground rules in place so we don’t end up eating a turkey dinner twice within a month of each other. This has led both of our families to get creative. On my side, we usually do ham, which I see as a step up from turkey, personally. As for my wife’s side, well, her father loves to smoke meats. When we head over for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I have no idea what the main course is going to be — only that it’s going to be smoked, and it’s going to be delicious. Even still, I wouldn’t call any of these delicious meats the main event at our Thanksgiving table. You see, nothing rivals my wife’s sweet potato souffle. The recipe was passed down from her grandmother and essentially boils down to sweet potatoes, pecans, and a whole lot of brown sugar. One bite and I’m in heaven. If I’m being honest, I try and volunteer our family to bring desserts to potlucks and company functions just to try and get her to make it more often! Otherwise, Thanksgiving is just about the only time she’ll make this sweet, sweet dish.

Some of my earliest memories of the holiday were spent rooting on the Yellow Jackets in their annual grudge match against the Bulldogs. Now, those who knew my father from doing business with him may have an image of him as a reserved man. That was not the case where the Georgia Tech and University of Georgia rivalry was concerned. Early on in my marriage, my parents and I went over to my in-laws’ house for Thanksgiving. Here’s the wrinkle: UGA had beat GT pretty soundly earlier that day, and my in-laws were Bulldog fans. I kid you not, as soon as my father-in-law opened the front door, my dad got down on all fours and started barking! Dad certainly knew how to cut the tension. I still laugh about it today. This will, of course, be the first holiday season without my father. I’m certain it’s going to be tough without him there, but I’m thankful he isn’t in any more pain. As his condition got worse, he could hardly sit or sleep, let alone be a part of most family functions. More than souffles or football, Thanksgiving is about gratitude. This year, I’ll be grateful that my father is at peace. -Eric Lunsford

Of course, football is the other big Thanksgiving tradition in our family, especially since my father graduated from Georgia Tech.

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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATION LET’S TALK

MORE CHATS, FEWER MEETINGS

Making IC engaging from a leadership standpoint means taking the time to use the right medium for your message. The last thing you want is to have team members sitting through a meeting thinking, “Couldn’t this have just been an email?” Recognizing what you want to communicate and why are important steps in deciding the best way to deliver information. Saving in-person meetings for big collaborative projects and important announcements will add more weight to those moments while allowing communications of lesser magnitude to be handled quickly and efficiently over email and instant messaging.

INTERNAL, YET GLOBAL

Remote work is becoming more and more common — and it’s a good thing. Research conducted by IBM suggests that remote workers are, on average, more engaged and effective than those who come to the office from 9 to 5. With group messaging apps and cloud- based software, you can keep

Maintaining the flow of ideas and information between team members is as necessary to a business as the nervous system is to the human body. Internal communication (IC) is what determines how flexible and responsive your company is to day-to-day challenges. In today’s fast-paced, decentralized marketplace, leveraging the right tools and strategies to make IC engaging, effective, and fun has never been more important. Here are a few tips to help you get there.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT As of the first of this month, Kevin Reagin has been a part of the Pye- Barker team for a year. As our inside compressed air specialist, Kevin has a deep understanding of our customers’ needs. While he may be one of our newer team members, Keven has brought with him almost three decades’ worth of industry experience and a history of service inside and outside of the office.

KEVIN REAGIN TELLS IT LIKE IT IS

“Honestly, I got into the industry because I needed a job,” Kevin reflects with a laugh, “I was 22 years old, and it was becoming clear I had to hang up being a musician.” Straightforward and good-humored, Kevin has no problem telling it like it is. Between his cut-to-the-chase attitude and wealth of experience, he’s the right person to talk to any time you need a part or service fast. As Kevin puts it, “I handle things with urgency, and I love working with people.” Kevin’s love of working with people extends beyond his role here at Pye-Barker. While he claims to have hung up his music career, he still plays the drums at his church and has even performed at services as far away as Nicaragua and Honduras. On top of these performances, he also does plenty of mission work, including taking time out of his day to provide prayer services to prisoners. “And I like to fish, when I have the time,” he adds.

Kevin explained, “It’s a company with a lot of potential and room to grow.” Thanks to the hard work of team members like Kevin, that statement rings true. If you have a breakdown and need to get operations back up and running fast, ask to talk to Kevin. He’s got the experience to find you what you need, with upfront, honest answers. And of course, he’s no stranger to lending a helping hand.

When asked what brought him to Pye-Barker, Kevin’s answers were as clear and straightforward as ever. “Pye-Barker has a solid foundation,”

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Pye-Barker Supply Co. • www.pyebarker.com

THE HYDROVANE COMPRESSOR LINE TRIED-AND-TRUE WORKMANSHIP THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME When most people think of air compressors, the image of a 6-gallon portable unit attached to a nail gun comes to mind. But for those of you who have worked with us before, you know that we specialize in customized systems that fit specific needs. From driving screws to operating entire automated processes, compressors come in all shapes and sizes. That’s why we want to demonstrate why we recommend the Gardner Denver Hydrovane for your system. The Hydrovane compressor is one of the best long-term investments you can make for your air-supply needs. Known for their durability, these units can operate for 100,000 hours without missing a beat. The two-shell bearings allow for up to 150,000 hours of real running time. So with regular maintenance and proper service, it’s not uncommon to see a system outlast most employees — and an air compressor doesn’t need a 401(k). One of the biggest concerns with compressed air systems is the noise they generate. When the motor activates, a loud unit can serve as a significant distraction or cause danger in the work environment. Hydrovane compressors usually run between 1,500–2,200 RPM, while the same size rotary unit runs from 2,500–9,000 RPM. The harder your system has to work, the louder and less resilient it is. It’s pivotal that these systems are correctly installed to get the best results. For more information, give our office a call and ask about the Hydrovane options we can provide. You can also head over to our website and use the quote feature, which will allow you to submit specific details to fit your needs.

your team on the same page no matter where they are in the world. The best tools to make this possible will depend on your business, but keeping everyone under the same umbrella of programs, such as Google’s G Suite, is a great strategy to start with.

MEMES AND GIFS GALORE

A company’s culture exists within the ways its team communicates. Having avenues available for employees to blow off steam, share funny stories, and stay abreast of each other’s lives is an important part of improving retention and company morale. Even spicing up a companywide email with a well-placed GIF or pop culture reference can do wonders to give your IC a voice unique to the culture and values of your company. Finding the styles and methods of communication that best fit your company takes time, but it’s worth it. Not only will creating your own communication style ensure that time and resources are used effectively, but it will also ensure that your team has a voice. Nailing this key aspect of your business will allow everything else to run far more smoothly.

1-800-282-9784 • www.pyebarker.com

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P.O. Box 1387 (30298) 121 Royal Drive Forest Park, GA 30297

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INSIDE THIS 1 What I’m Thankful For

ISSUE

The Key to Effective Internal Communications Meet Kevin Reagin Have a Laugh on Us! An Air Compressor That Will Outlast Your Employees

A Historic Veterans Day

COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR I A HISTORIC VETERANS DAY

The Great War that ravaged Europe resulted in a devastating loss of life, but from those ashes rose a renewed appreciation for the importance of peace and a global effort to ensure its place in the future. THE RESTORATION OF PEACE In 1918, Germany surrendered unconditionally, and the armistice ended the fighting at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, though the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following July. An estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians died in just four years, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history. VETERANS DAY Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the one-year anniversary of the armistice, and it became a U.S. holiday in 1938. Today, Veterans Day celebrates veterans who served their country honorably. The U.K., France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate their veterans in November. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service this month.

This year, Veterans Day takes on particular historic significance: Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Countries around the world will commemorate the signing of this peace agreement with moments of silence, centennial ceremonies, and historical exhibits. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a celebration of life. It’s a day to honor the power of peace and the living veterans across the globe who have served their countries. This November, take a moment to remember the war that helped shape the international community’s dedication to peace and thank the individuals who served to defend it. THE GREAT WAR By 1914, a world war had been years in the making, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro- Hungarian Empire by a Serbian nationalist provided the spark that would eventually burn down much of Europe. A chain reaction of land disputes, pre-emptive attacks, and strategic alliances brought over 30 countries into World War I.