An exchange of ideas: division leaders meet to discuss safety and operational excellence

Two of Martin Marietta’s divisional teams recently held safety and operational excellence conferences to encourage innovation, reflection and future planning.

Two of Martin Marietta’s divisional teams recently held safety and operational excellence conferences to encourage innovation, reflection, and future planning.

In May, both the Central and East divisions held separate multi-day events with each conference emphasizing the value of discussion, brainstorming, and networking. More than just opportunities to share ideas, the events offered crucial platforms for each attendee to contribute to their division’s world-class excellence journey.

The Central Division’s leaders met in Peoria, Illinois, to discuss new and exciting ways to optimize safety initiatives at their respective sites. Ohio District Production Manager Ryan Blevins expressed how the Peoria conference fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose, solidifying the division’s ONE team mentality.

“I would say the biggest takeaway was the opportunity for communication among the Central Division’s individual regions. It seems like all of our regions are fighting the same battles; we are all facing similar issues and coming up with creative solutions,” he said. “I know that I will be reaching out to my counterparts more after the conference instead of trying to reinvent the wheel when I face issues going forward.”

The conference’s many sessions included talks on the value of communication, conveyor best practices, and maintenance and safety work orders. Company leadership also facilitated in-depth discussions about important topics, including one conversation on investor perception led by Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jim Nickolas and one on overall operational excellence led by Senior Vice President of Enterprise Excellence Oliver Brooks.

A particularly exciting event saw the team touring the Caterpillar Demonstration & Learning Center. This unique opportunity allowed Central Division team members to get hands-on experience with the heavy equipment manufacturer’s newest equipment line. Featuring both fully operational vehicles and state-of-the-art virtual simulations of equipment still in development, the Learning Center allowed Martin Marietta team members to see the devices that may one day soon be operational in their sites.

Randy Arner, plant manager of Cook Road Sand and Gravel, said these unique experiences helped him generate ideas to bring back to his Ohio team.

 

“I always take away information that works from other sites and incorporate it into our operation. You also get to meet other people doing the same type of mining that you are doing, and it gives you another opportunity to discuss ideas and technology,” he said. “When we go into these conferences and their scheduled breakout sessions, we get to share our ideas and work with others.”

Overall, Central Division President Bill Podrazik said the event achieved its key aims. First, it again displayed the depth of Martin Marietta’s dedication to safety and efficiency. Next, it helped ensure division leaders would be on the same page when it comes to matters of operational excellence.

“You can’t have operational excellence without safety. They go hand in hand,” he said. “Having all plant managers and safety representatives here receiving the same message and bouncing ideas off of one another is powerful. There is incredible value in sharing information and meeting like people.”

Meanwhile, 685 miles away in Raleigh, Martin Marietta’s East Division held its own conference to discuss safety and operational excellence topics. For the East Division, which spans the east coast from Florida to Pennsylvania and includes operations in The Bahamas and Nova Scotia, Canada, such conferences can be particularly important because they allow people to meet one another and discuss the major similarities and slight differences in their work.

“It’s about camaraderie,” said Rob Matics, the division’s director of operational services. “Getting to see the leaders from Nova Scotia and getting to chat with our people in The Bahamas is just great. We get to understand one another a little better and learn from each other.”

East Division Vice President of Human Resources Curt Neth agreed with Matics’ sentiments.

“Bringing our frontline leaders together for this symposium was crucial for fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and aligning our strategies,” Neth said. “It provided a unique opportunity for networking, learning, and building a stronger sense of community among our leaders.”

Throughout the symposium, East Division leaders addressed several key challenges that frontline leaders often face, including communication barriers, staff engagement, and adapting to change. The conference emphasized that safety protocols and procedures are integral components of operational processes and help ensure employees can perform their tasks efficiently while minimizing risks and hazards.

“I learned that we have a lot of support within the division, and other sites are experiencing the same types of issues,” said Donald Bouchie, foreman at Porcupine Mountain Quarry. “It was great to learn from other operations and plants.”

A critical discussion that occurred at both conferences focused on the importance of mental health in the workplace, a topic that proved valuable.

“It can be uncomfortable, and I don’t think it’s a talk people like to have, but I think it’s important to talk about,” Matics said. “The conversation was certainly impactful.”

Each team member was reminded of Martin Marietta’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers free and confidential assessments and short-term counseling for those with mental health concerns.

Considering the many topics covered, Neth added that the conference was an excellent opportunity for the division’s leadership team.

“Some key takeaways for our frontline leadership included a renewed focus on building strong team relationships, implementing innovative approaches to problem-solving, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement,” he said. “Personally, I gained valuable insights into the specific needs and perspectives of our frontline leaders, which will inform our future initiatives and support strategies.”