Crest Suppliers...Part of the Family by Jeff Meiners
Jamie Cooper & Graham Redding, Prairie State Group
Cory Morris & Rick Balkema, Silva International
Tom Balch & Dave Dettman, Quality Transport
For the past 31 years, we have set aside a day in September to celebrate the suppliers who play an absolutely essen- tial role in keeping the doors open at Crest every day. Last year we were unable to meet together, so we improvised and celebrated remotely…while the sentiment was the same, it was far less than satisfactory compared with being together in person. This year, with a clear day and an outdoor venue, we were once again able to meet in person to thank our suppliers for all they have done on Crest’s behalf over the past year. Over sixty representatives of our suppliers and numerous Crest staff gathered on September 10th for some golf, stories, supper, a few beverages and some presentations all centered around our appreciation for the relationships we have developed with this group of people. We confirmed, for the most part, that most of us must work pretty hard because it was obvious that we weren’t spending a lot of time on the golf course. We also recognized the fact that despite the most difficult set of circumstances that the last several years have laid on us all, this group of sup- pliers went well beyond the normal to deliver an unbelievable level of service to Crest that allowed us to in turn de- liver exceptional levels of service to our customers as well. We are truly amazed and humbled by the effort and care that our suppliers have given to Crest despite the pressures they were all dealing with in their own jobs and personal lives. In a business world where the quality of a relationship is too often defined by the parameters of a single transaction, we have together proven that true and enduring business relationships are built on personal in- teraction, integrity and mutual respect. The essence of true business relationships is alive and well amongst this group of people and we couldn’t be prouder or more appreciative of all that has been accomplished between us. Crest typically singles out one supplier each year as our supplier of the year. This year we thought it only appropri- ate to recognize more than one considering the swamp of problems we all have been wading through this year. Three companies were recognized as suppliers of the year at this year’s event: Prairie State Group, represented by Graham Redding , has been a supplier of packaging web for our Consumer Products Division. They built a roll stock film for a launch of a new product line this year that has performed flawlessly and their service has been top notch. Silva International, represented by Rick Balkema , is a supplier of dried vegetables to Crest. We increased our business with them by over four times this year and they did not miss an order or even have a delay in ship - ment despite a very difficult supply market.
14 Crest Ink July, August & September 2021
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