Process and Performance Improvement

PIT Crew Cup Award

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the second annual PIT Crew Cup, presented to the ABARTA organization that best exemplifies our commitment to Process and Performance Improvement, is hereby awarded to 

Cleveland Coca-Cola.

After a thorough evaluation of all business units and Shared Financial Services applications, I believe Cleveland Coke has distinguished itself by satisfying our stated objectives for Process and Performance Improvement better than anyone else in 2013.

Cleveland Coca-Cola has succeeded in transitioning toward a culture of Continuous Improvement, led by middle management and embraced by the entire workforce. 

Please join me in congratulating Cleveland, its leadership team, the Cleveland 

Coca-Cola PIT Crew and all contributing employees.  You have set the bar for others to challenge.

End of an Era

After 39 years in business, Summit Solutions is closing its doors. "Summit has been an integral part of ABARTA for two generations," said Charlie Bitzer, COO. "It's unfortunate that the new business model developed and introduced over the past two years did not succeed as we had hoped."

Two other important developments also led to this decision. First, some of Summit's traditional purchasing responsibilities have been replaced by participation in large purchasing cooperatives whose leverage in the marketplace far exceeds ours. Second, the recent sale of the Press of Atlantic City resulted in a complete exiting of the newsprint business.

Summit will retain a few employees for a short time to help manage the transition with customers and vendors.

Kahiki Building Update

Kahiki Upgrades Building

Kahiki management and local management prepare for plant tour.  Kahiki has recently upgraded several aspects of the facility including food grade floors, walls, robotics and an exterior face-lift.

Kahiki Board, July 2013

Pictured from left to right:  Darcy Zbinovec, Lynn Clarke, Alice Tsao, Charlie Hanlon, Bob Montgomery, Charlie Bitzer, Fran Daily, Bill Goodspeed, Vijay Sivaramakrishna, Mike Williams and Matt Szerencsits

PIT Crew Award

And the Winner is....

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the first annual PIT Crew Cup, presented to the ABARTA organization that best exemplifies our commitment to Process and Performance Improvement, is hereby awarded to ABARTA Beverage East!

After a thorough evaluation of all business units and Shared Financial Services/MIS Support applications, I believe ABE has distinguished itself by satisfying our stated objectives for Process and Performance Improvement better than anyone else in 2012.

ABE has succeeded in transitioning toward a culture of Continuous Improvement, led by middle management and embraced by the entire workforce. 

Please join me in congratulating ABE, its leadership team, the ABE PIT Crew and all contributing employees.  You have set the bar for others to challenge.