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Case Studies

October 2018

Pete Andrews – Environmental, Health & Safety Administrator, York Container

What is your work background/area of expertise?

I have had a few different titles but I've been in the corrugated container business for over 20 years, and I've been the EH & S Admin here at York Container for 3 years.

In using GemChem - what problem were you trying to solve?

Seamlessness. GemChem's ability to adjust to our changing needs without ever missing a step has been a great asset to our company. When I asked GemChem for an assist with my process change from liquid to solid waste, Gordon quickly got back to me with a cost and the next thing I knew it was taken care of! Gordon always knows the right questions to ask which steers us clear of issues before they happen.

Do you have any thoughts on what would be different if you had not made that change?

There is no doubt we are getting better service and have seen measurable cost savings. With our previous vendor, every new service request was answered with a long document that I had to fill out and all I would get back was a boilerplate contract and a big bill.

How has working with GemChem helped with the responsibilities of your position?

Every industry has things come up that were not part of the plan and being able to handle those situations is what separates great service from run-of-the-mill service. GemChem has proven time and again that they make the unexpected look routine.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss your experience working with GemChem!

No problem – I really appreciate GemChem's personalized expert advice that has led to improved outcomes for York Container. Using GemChem has had a direct positive effect on our company's bottom line!

JUNE 2018

Scott Schaub – Safety Engineer, TAIT

What is your work background/area of expertise?

I have been an Environmental Safety Engineer for 25 years working at large companies like Armstrong and Alcoa, so I've been handling industrial waste disposal in the heavy industry sector for quite some time.

When you arrived at Tait Towers they were using a different industrial waste vendor...

Yes, I was disappointed with a few things about the contractor they were using. When I would place a call to them I would get a different dispatcher each time. Often that person on the other end of the line could not help or answer my questions. In general, there was a lack of responsiveness and customer service.

Was there a specific issue you were trying to address when your company initially hired GemChem?

There was a general feeling of uncertainty around my responsibilities relating to waste removal and compliance. I never felt certain about when pickups were going to happen and opening the bills from that supplier was often a surprising experience, and not in a positive way.

So how have things changed since you began using GemChem?

When GemChem schedules our pickup they are there on-time, every-time. I feel confident they have a plan for the transport and disposal that is going to be on schedule and on budget. Great service, they even provide extra labels without me thinking of it! Everyone I've dealt with has been personable and friendly.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss your experience working with GemChem!

You're welcome – I never hesitate to recommend GemChem to other companies. I am always glad GemChem is handling our waste pickups!

JULY 2018

Sharon Flory – Safety & Environmental Coordinator at Bulk Chemicals Inc.

What is your work background/area of expertise?

I am a full-time Environmental Safety & Health Coordinator at Bulk Chemicals Inc.

What factors led you to choose GemChem for your waste management needs?

Better service for a lower cost – it was a fairly simple decision.

How has working with GemChem helped with the responsibilities of that position?

A big part of my job has been meeting the compliance standards of the GHS (Globally Harmonized System). To do that we needed to transition all of our waste data sheets. Utilizing GemChem's expertise has allowed us to implement that transition in a fraction of the time that it would have taken and also I feel completely confident that it was done right!

Can you describe anything that might be different if you hadn't switched to GemChem?

Before we switched to GemChem, the company we were using had a "just ship it" attitude – like trying to get away with not having the right placards. Drums of waste would be improperly classified. One time that happened and it took three months before we could get rid of a drum and we were fined because of the improper labeling.

So how have things changed since you began using GemChem?

Overall just a better management of the waste program. Having a broker that could handle hazardous and non-hazardous waste has made things so much simpler and efficient on our end. Our previous waste management company outsourced everything so we never know who was handling the job. Also, manifesting mistakes had become a problem. I have found that with GemChem, things are on time and mistake free.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss your experience working with GemChem!

No problem, glad to help out.