As we near the end of 2023, it is the opportune time to reflect on the accomplishments we’ve achieved at Cyl-Tec over the past year. We take great pride in the progress we’ve made, which includes maintaining our ESOP, forging vital partnerships, improving our operations, introducing new products and services, and establishing valuable connections within the compressed gas industry. We are eager to maintain this momentum in the year ahead.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan – ESOP
At the end of the calendar year, we will have officially completed our third year as an ESOP. An ESOP is essentially a benefit plan that enables employees to own shares in the company that continue to increase every year. As an ESOP, employee-owners are empowered to speak up, even simple suggestions and questions can spark discussions that lead to innovations that improve our employees’ work experience, saving the company money, creating a safer working environment, and potentially increasing their stock value.
There have been several ideas that have been implemented and are making a significant impact. One of them is the English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Every week, we have an instructor teach willing employee-owners English. This initiative not only facilitates better communication between employee-owners but also their confidence in speaking up during company-wide huddles.
During our company-wide huddles every two weeks we discuss the monthly forecast looking at the current month’s forecast and comparing it to the previous month’s actuals as well as the newly implemented ideas and discuss if they are positively impacting workflow. Employee-owners are also taught how to read and understand the P&L statement, as well as how everyday costs affect our bottom line.
New/Improved Partnerships
Cyl-Tec was thrilled to build a partnership with CO2 Monitoring Systems to exclusively distribute their Aerosphere CO2 Monitoring Systems. Not only are they 100% made in the U.S.A. they are also experts in CO2 Monitoring regulations. Their plug-and-play system makes for easy installation and accurate readings.
Our training room at Cyl-Tec was bustling this year as we hosted four sales classes focused on the compressed gas industry. Specialty Gas Sales Institute, instructed by Ray Borzio and Greg Lewis, conducted three successful classes that brought together a diverse group of people with different backgrounds and companies, resulting in interesting conversations. Additionally, we were thrilled to host Bulk CO2 University, instructed by Ray Grieco, for the first time. The class was a resounding success, with gas industry professionals from across the U.S. attending to enhance their sales strategies.
Enhancing Operations
We have implemented multiple changes in our production plant’s operating process this year. One of the significant changes includes the installation of a 14-ton large bulk CO2 tank. Our previous 8-ton CO2 bulk tank was not able to meet our demand due to the increasing orders for BevCarb. The new tank has allowed us to be more efficient in fulfilling orders for the BevCarb industry. Our employee-owners installed the new tank with the help of our new crane, which can lift up to 120 tons. This crane has enabled us to lift larger-sized bulk tanks to better supply our customers’ needs.
As we have shifted away from recertifying cylinders over the last few years, we have sold the flow through cylinder blaster, freeing up some space on our production plant floor. In 2024, we aim to streamline our production plant floor to improve product flow while prioritizing a safe working environment.
New Offerings
Our engineering department has been working hard to implement and plan new products and services for the next few years. We are now proud to offer a 43.3L 414 BAR high-pressure steel cylinder, which can safely store up to 6K worth of service pressure. Additionally, we have made an exciting advancement with the purchase of a customized cylinder bake-out system, allowing us to provide properly prepared high-pressure cylinders for Ultra High Purity Services.
Keep an eye out throughout 2024, as we have several new projects that we are excited to roll out!
Networking
Our Regional Sales Managers and Customer Service representatives have been working hard to ensure that our customers receive the products they need. Our RSMs have traveled to eight national tradeshows and several regional tradeshows, building new relationships with potential customers, and sustaining our current customer relationships.
We would like to express our gratitude to all the companies who supported us by purchasing our products and services. Without your support, our success this year would not have been possible.
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