"Instilling Safety in everything we do" spotlights
Ransome "Roscoe" Wilkins
Ransome "Roscoe" Wilkins
Ransome "Roscoe" Wilkins
During the installation of a new natural gas line, the contractors hit an active pressurized natural gas line right outside of the welding department. Upon smelling the gas in his shop, Lead Welding/Packaging Technician Ransome Wilkins immediately took action. He instructed all welders and fitters to immediately stop work. He investigated and witnessed the contractors standing around a spot where the directional drilling bore hit the gas line. Next, he began evacuating his department and notified the Safety Champion who, in turn with the Production Manager, evacuated the entire New Iberia Campus. According to Deputy Fire Chief Mike Vincent, Ransome’s quick decision and action to shut everything down was crucial to preventing an accident. Ransome was recognized with a $100 S.T.A.R. award.
Jessie Simmons
Ransome "Roscoe" Wilkins
Ransome "Roscoe" Wilkins
Jessie was traveling on I10 W and traffic was slowing down. He heard a crash and saw a box truck passing and wreck into a concrete truck. Jessie pulled off of the road and dialed 911. As he pulled to the shoulder he noticed a truck was wrecked in the woods and went to check on the driver. After talking to the driver and 911, Jessie placed out cones and directed the traffic around the wrecked box truck. While checking on the other drivers in the accident, Jessie noticed the box truck was on fire. I used my fires extinguishers to put the fire out and waited for first responders to arrive. The fire and police departments were grateful for the actions Jessie had taken because it made assessing and clearing the accident a more simple and quick process.
Louisiana cat in the community
BAYOU STEEL EMPLOYEES LUNCH ON THE LAWN
On October 2nd, Bayou Steel in Laplace announced its complete shutdown, leaving over 376 employees without a job, unexpectedly. Our Human Resources team acted quickly to offer a free lunch to those affected by the layoff. A poboy lunch was provided by Connie’s Grill and a large pot of jambalaya was donated by Bec’s on the Lake Catering.
A huge thank you to Deborah Brown for organizing this event, and to Amanda Breaud, Josie Graham and Devin Branch for their support.
LOUISIANA CAT DONATES $5,000 TO LOUISIANA WARRIORS UNLEASHED
As part of our Veteran's Hat Fundraiser that launched last November, our organization was able to donate $5,000 to Louisiana Warriors Unleashed. By providing Assistance Dogs to veterans and first responders that are diagnosed with emotional and psychological conditions, Louisiana Warriors Unleashed improves the quality of life for our nation’s heroes and deserving animals.
Congratulations to our Lafayette Branch for selling the most hats, 122!
New Iberia Campus Evacuation
The New Iberia Campus was evacuated due to a natural gas leak. The details of the incident are below:
- September 16, 2019, Atmos Energy was installing a natural gas line for the new Dyno building
- Pipeline Environmental & Compression Industries (PECI) was installing the line on behalf of Atmos
- Approximately 3:00 pm, PECI hit an existing pressurized natural gas line
- The line break was directly outside of the fabrication shop
- Ransome Wilkins smelled the leak, went outside and could tell they hit a line
- Ransome immediately stopped all operations and notified Site Safety Coordinator, Jarrod Suire
- Jarrod confirmed PECI followed their procedures and called 911 and Atmos
- Jarrod evacuated the assembly building and notified Production Manager, Brian Rivet
- Brian evacuated the front office building
- Jarrod confirmed accountability with individual departments at the muster point
- The fire department arrived at approx. 3:15 pm; Jarrod discussed moving the muster point because the gas leak was upwind
- Deputy Fire Chief, Mike Vincent indicated we needed to evacuate the entire area
- Jarrod notified Troy Matherne and then entire campus was evacuated
- There were ZERO reported injuries or other first-aid issues during the evacuation
- September 17, 2019, all employees returned to work
- PECI employee Chris Mouton called at 8:15 am; Iberia Parish needs to inspect the repair
- Service can’t be restored until the line is inspected
- Chris Mouton called at 7:00 pm, repairs passed inspection and gas flow was restored
- September 18, 2019, normal work activates resumed
HAPPY RETIREMENT ROBERT!
ROBERT ELLINGTON
Retirement date: September 27, 2019
Years of Service: 45
Position: Parts Warehouse Counterman
Branch: Monroe
Kent Fuller-Monroe Parts Manager, Robert Ellington, Wayne Patterson-Vice President of North Louisiana
Robert's family joined us for the celebration.
2019 pumpkin carving contest
Our annual pumpkin carving contest is back! Submit your carving photo here.
Winner will be chosen by most likes on the photo in the Louisiana Cat Facebook album, so be sure to share with your family and friends! Most likes by October 31 at 5 pm will win a gift basket!
Looking for inspiration? Check out Cat® Pumpkin Carving Templates here.
marketing department wins awards at annual conference
Each year, the Caterpillar North American Dealer Marketing Association hosts a conference for all dealer marketing teams. The Marketing Department was presented with a Telly Bronze Award for “Best Corporate Video for a Non-Broadcast Purpose” by Cat® Marketing Services. Caterpillar nominated Louisiana Cat for the Telly, a national video and communications award. Watch our award-winning video here.
The Marketing Department also placed 1st in the Dealer Marketing Photo Contest. Each dealer is asked to submit a photo into a contest, that is then voted on by the dealers and Cat representatives at the conference. The 2019 Conference was held in Louisville, so the Marketing department chose a “Louisianaville Sluggers” baseball card theme.
Louisianaville sluggers
pats on the back
Richard Workman, Technician - Lake Charles
"Richard is good at keeping us informed on where our parts are and when they are coming in."
-Earl Rachal - DG Construction
Vincent Meadows, Service Manager - Alexandria
"I called Vince after hours and by 8 am the next morning a service technician was there on-site and fixed the unit in 30 minutes. I work with Vince exclusively, which is why I have his cell number because I know he will take care of it."
-Robbie Tarver - Tarver Land Development
Patrick Stewart, Parts Manager - Alexandria
"Patrick always goes out of his way to get what we need and if it is not in stock he gets parts quickly for us."
- Barbara Bryant
Baby corner
Mary Margaret
Daughter of Garrett Frederick, Project Manager New Iberia
Born September 10th
7 lbs 6 oz
19 Inches
hAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM LOUISIANA cAT
Winner of the Birthday Gift Card: Lonnie Blanchard
Welcome to Louisiana cat
We extend a warm welcome to the following employees who have recently joined the organization.
- Chad Smith-Outside Sales Rep., Alexandria
- Seth Sabastian-Technician, Bossier City
- Joshua Edwards-Technician, Bossier City
- Sean Bass-Technician, Bossier City Engine
- Terry Pratt-Technician, Bossier City Engine
- Charles Brumley-Technician, Bossier City Rents
- Joel Odom-Technician, Lafayette
- Ricky Fontenot-Technician, Lake Charles
- Collis McReynolds-Asst. Branch Rental Mgr., Lake Charles Rents
- Christian Marcel-Technician, Morgan City
- Tyler Reynolds-Service Sales Coordinator, Prairieville
- Jesse Harris-Technician, Prairieville
- Chance Hatten-Technician, REE Bossier
- Eric Savage-Parts Counter Sales, REE - Bossier
- Blair Curole-Collections Supervisor, Reserve
- James Stuart-Technician, Reserve