The Custom Companies Turns 30!

VOL. X1 NO. 1 February / March 2016
The Custom Companies Turns 30!
Hello Readers,
Winter is in full swing
and Spring is fast
approaching so enjoy
the activities that can
only be had this time
of year.
By Debra Frezza
The Custom
Companies hopes you
are having a great start
to the year and we
look forward to our
30th being our best
year ever.
Can you find Perry’s
moustache hidden
within this issue?
Submit your answer to
[email protected]
no later than Thursday,
February 26th for your
chance to win a gift
card. Thank you.
THE NEWSLETTER
COMMITTEE
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
TCC Turns 30
History
Interview Diana Ryan
Custom Cares
Flint Water
Air Cargo
Seven Signs
Girl Scouts
Ashley Bell
Cooks Corner
Referral Program
Job Board
1
2
3
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
14
15
It all started back on February 14, 1986. Perry Mandera had a vision to provide one
stop shopping, offering a broad base of Shipping and Logistics Solutions at
Competitive Rates to his Valued Customers. The operation that started with five
employees has now grown to more than six hundred people including Owner
Operator Truck Drivers. The Custom Companies, which currently exceeds more
than $200 Million in Annual Revenue does so by being committed to providing
“World Class” Customer Service, support to our vendors, employees and most of all
our valued customers.
Without our customers we wouldn’t have a job to do. We are a Full Service
Transportation Company, committed to being the most proficient and quality driven
Logistics and Distribution Network in the United States. We achieve this by
following our mission, by thinking of our customers first and maintaining our ISO
Certification, which most companies in the transportation industry are unable to
attain. Happy Birthday Custom Companies!
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Did You Know???
1986’s Most
Popular Christmas
gifts, toys and
presents:
Real Ghostbusters
action figures, My
Pet Monster, Panini
Football stickers,
Outburst, Balderdash
The Top 10 Movies:
1. Top Gun
2. Crocodile Dundee
3. Platoon
4. The Karate Kid
Part II
5. Star Trek IV: The
Voyage Home
6. Back To School
7. Aliens
8. The Golden Child
9. Ruthless People
10. Ferris Bueller’s
Day Off
Worst Picture:
Howard the Duck
and Under the
Cherry Moon (tie)
Worst Director:
Prince - Under the
Cherry Moon
Worst Actor: Prince
- Under the Cherry
Moon
Worst Actress:
Madonna Shanghai Surprise
Teacher Pleasant
Rowland created the
first ‘American Girl’
dolls. Mattel bought
the product line in
1998.
Cost of a Superbowl
ad in 1986: $550,000.
Camcorders started
to become a regular
household item.
Aerosmith and Run
DMC combined on
Walk This Way.
Page 2 VOL. X1 NO. 1 February / March 2016
Interview with Perry Mandera
“How was the idea developed to begin The Custom Companies?
I wanted to create a one-stop shop transportation company environment designed to
make the shipping manager’s job simple. When I would make sales calls looking for a
particular segment of business I would constantly hear, “We’re happy with our current
provider, but if your company provided other services, I would give you a try”, which
was frustrating to me. After much consideration, I came up with what I believed was a
transportation company that provided the “One Call Does It All” concept to the
marketplace.
Did anyone assist you? No, the idea was incubated on my own.
What challenges were there in the process? (In the beginning, 10 years out, 20
years out and today)
10 years – Convincing potential customers about the one-stop-shop concept. All modes
of transportation services under one roof. This was still as new a concept and idea in
the industry then, as it is today.
20 years - Controlling growth and profits while still providing “World Class Service”.
30 years - Remaining competitive in the market place with competing technologies,
pricing and service. It is very important to keep The Custom Companies, Inc. brand.
How did Custom overcome the challenges it faced?
By working hard and employing the very best people in the industry. No industry in the
world can be successful without good people. My motto has always been: People,
Service and Price…That’s the Custom Difference.
What accomplishment are you the most proud of?
The retention of people and the ability to adjust to an ever changing logistics industry
as well as the ability to help countless numbers of people thru Custom Cares Charities.
What is your vision for the future of The Custom Companies?
To continue to grow and expand in a strategic fashion as the industry and economy
dictates. To continue to change and evolve with an ever changing industry and market
place.
What is your best memory in growing the business?
The 1000’s of people that we’ve been able to help through charities and in-kind
contributions to the needy. Also my time in the United Stated Marine Corps prepared
me for a life in business.
Who do you admire the most and why?
My Father, Roger Mandera and George Martinec – Both were very similar in their
commitment and dedication in business and in life.
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 3
Did You Know???
I was very blessed to have both of them as part of my life.
In 1986;
Who or what has been the greatest influence on your life?
My belief in God, Family and the amazing good people that I’ve had the pleasure and
blessing to know and work with as well as the friends I’ve made throughout my career
and life!
Peter Gabriel’s stopmotion music video
for Sledgehammer
raised the bar for
video production.
Custom Culture: - “Perry’s Philosophy”
• Appreciate Your Customer With Custom Pride
• Make It Happen
• Believe in What You Sell
• Do it Right the First Time
• Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan
• If Better is Possible,
• BE THE CULTURE, LIVE THE CULTURE
Good is not Enough
• Quality, Quality, Quality
History:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Custom Companies, Inc. was founded by Perry Mandera on 2/14/1986
The company began in a modest 2 door facility in Elk Grove Village, IL
In 1988, Custom moved to a 10 door, 48,00 sq. ft. facility in Bensenville, IL
In 1990, Custom moved to a 20 door, 90,000 sq. ft. facility also in Bensenville, IL
1n 1993, Custom moved to our current facility in Northlake, Il; a former
Montgomery Wards Distribution Facility with 405 dock doors and nearly 500,000
sq. ft. of dock warehouse space
In May 1998, CDN Logistics was founded.
In July 2001, Custom acquired DSI, which established Custom Global Logistics
(CGL) and expanded our operation to Los Angeles
In August 2002, Custom moved our LAX facility to Carson, CA
In August 2005, Custom acquired CDN Logistics
In 2012, Custom acquired American Transportation Solution (ATS), expanding our
temperature controlled truckload capabilities
Also in 2012, Custom acquired Circle W Transportation to expand flatbed services.
In July 2015, Custom moved our LAX operations to a new 250,000 sq. ft. state of
the art facility in Santa Fe Springs, CA to meet the companies growing needs
Investigative
journalist Geraldo
Rivera discovers the
secret vault of Al
Capone and opens it
on live TV only to
discover a single
bottle of moonshine.
Actress Heather
Locklear marries
Motley Crue
drummer Tommy
Lee.
“The Quotes of
1986:”
“With heart, faith and
steel. In the end there
can only be one”
– Sean Connery, in
‘Highlander’
“I feel the need… the
need for speed!”
– Tom Cruise and
Anthony Edwards, in
‘Top Gun’
“Pork. The other
white meat”
– National Pork
Board
Companies under The Custom Companies, Inc. Umbrella
• CDN Logistics, Inc. (Operates more than 400 Power Units nationwide)
• Custom Global Logistics, LLC. (CGL) – [Air Freight, Expedited Ground, White
Glove (Special Handling Services) and Trade Show Management]
• Circle W Trucking, Inc. (Flatbed Delivery)
• American Transportation Solution, Inc. (ATS) [Temperature Controlled Delivery]
• The Custom Companies Offers the following services:
• Local Cartage – Pickup and delivery within a 75 mile radius of Chicago and LAX.
• Dedicated Contract Cartage (DCC)– Dedicated drivers and equipment Less than
truckload (LTL) – Full North America Coverage from 1 skid to a partial truckload
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
“Yeah… That’s The
Ticket”
– Jon Lovitz as
Tommy Flangan
(‘Fla-Nay-Gan’)
“I’m not a doctor, but
I play one on TV”
– Vick’s commercial
Page 4 VOL. XI NO. 1 February / March 2016
February
Birthdays
Ignacio Molina
2/1
Darrell Nelson
2/1
Joe Klikas
2/2
Salvador Lagunas 2/3
Tom Mroz
2/3
Adalberto Franco 2/4
Connor Lincoln
2/5
German Melendez 2/5
Chris Moran
2/7
Danyel Egeland 2/10
Juan Ramon Perez 2/10
Hugo Quezada
2/10
Kristine Belica
2/11
Glenn Castillo
2/11
Grzegorz Laskiewicz
2/13
Kathy Chadderdon2/15
Tom Dunaj
2/15
Joan Pauga
2/15
Luis Kirkaldy
2/17
Bruce Dunlap
2/19
Steve Flores
2/19
Rosendo Padilla 2/19
Robert Propp
2/19
John Trevino
2/20
Dustin Vock
2/20
Dominic Floro
2/21
Ana Rosario
2/21
John Santoro
2/21
Pedro Antunes
2/22
Jose Lara
2/22
George Maciel
2/22
Robert Reynolds 2/22
Nora Krezel
2/23
Francisco Huerta 2/24
Ron Pearce
2/24
Andrew Cece
2/26
Cory Faucher
2/26
Nicole Franco
2/26
Eva Smajic
2/26
Bruce Laracuente 2/27
Tom Keegan
2/28
James Stansfield 2/28
• Brokerage Truckload – 48 States and Canada, Full and Partial Truckload Coverage,
complementing our CDN Logistics Truckload Division
• Intermodal – 48 State Rail Service
• Pick & Pack and Fulfillment – We maintain a customer’s inventory and release
shipments on demand
• Warehousing – We offer complete warehousing solutions including full online
visibility through our Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Interview with Dianna Ryan – Custom’s 1st Employee
How many years have you worked for Custom and what has made you want to stay here
for so long?
I started working for The Custom Companies back in 1986. I have a lot of appreciation
for the company, how it’s grown and Perry as an owner. Perry is a visionary and is
always ahead of the game, he wants to instill his drive and passion into others. I like
being challenged and there were many opportunities for me to grow and develop my
skills. Perry has a remarkable drive, however, he is also very compassionate and really
cares about his employees. He does what’s right for everyone and I really respect him
for that. Perry always puts the customers first; if a customer had a request Perry would
say we can do that. That’s where the name of the company came from because we were
going to “Customize our Service to meet Our Customers’ Needs”. That philosophy
makes me proud to represent The Custom Companies.
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 5
How have things changed over the years?
We went from a small free-lance
company to a structured
company with over 600
employees. It’s like raising a
child from birth to when they
leave the nest; I was very excited
about taking the company from
the ground up to where we are
today. When things first started,
I wore a lot of hats. I handled
Customer Service, Human
Resources, Payroll, Accounts
Payable and Accounts
Receivable. We did what we had
to do to get the job done, even if
we had to work 14 hours a day. Back then we figured things out as we went along; we
saw which employees’ skills would be best for each job. It made us all very tight knit
because we knew each of us would have the others back. Now we are very
departmentalized, each department has a specific job and we have checks and
balances. This change was necessary to accommodate all the growth we were
experiencing.
What was your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge was establishing rules and regulations where there were none in
the beginning.
What accomplishment are you the most proud of?
In the beginning, we operated very lean because money was very tight. I am proud to
have contributed in taking the company (under Perry’s Vision) to the next level through
those uncertain times.
Who have you learned the most from?
I learned a lot from Tom Mroz (our Executive VP of Finance and CFO). He helped to
strengthen my accounting skills by teaching me accounting processes like balancing
and auditing. I am truly grateful and appreciate him for all the help he has given me.
Who has been the most fun to work with over the years?
Over the years, it was fun to work with the first driver hired, Al Wojdak. I really
appreciated his sense of humor and perseverance in the beginning, as we all relied on
one another to get the job done, just like members of a family!
Custom is always evolving and changing. It’s a challenging place to work and I Love
It! I like the fact that Perry thinks outside of the box and is not afraid to try something
new.
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
February
Anniversaries
Years
Perry Mandera
30
James Kunce
19
Gail Abdallah
16
Andrzej
Kolodziejczyk
14
Waclaw Jarzabek 12
Pedro Antunes
12
Ricardo Oyervidez 11
Victor Gurrola
11
Efrain Rivera
9
Ericson Domingo
9
Steve Holowka
8
Danielle Pitsenbarger8
Vicente Sanchez
8
Tomasz Biskup
6
Rocco Abbinante
6
Tim Brown
3
Raul Mojica
3
Carol Weiss
2
Larry Mose
2
Oscar Rivera
2
Eric Inman
2
Julian Soto
1
Bryan Robbins
1
Adriana Sandoval 1
Steve Stinnett
1
Did You Know???
1986 Most Popular
TV shows:
1. The Cosby Show
(NBC)
2. Family Ties
(NBC)
3. Cheers (NBC)
4. Murder She Wrote
(NBC)
5. The Golden Girls
(NBC)
6. 60 Minutes (CBS)
7. Night Court
(NBC)
8. Growing Pains
(ABC)
9. Moonlighting
(ABC)
10. Who’s the Boss?
( ABC)
1986 Film Actor
Debuts:
Christian Bale Anastasia: The
Mystery of Anna
Angela Bassett - F/X
Sean Bean Caravaggio
Steve Buscemi Parting Glances
Stacy ‘Fergie’
Ferguson - Monster
in the Closet
Woody Harrelson Wildcats
Marlee Matlin Children of a Lesser
God
Joaquin Phoenix SpaceCamp
Jeremy Piven - Lucas
Winona Ryder Lucas
Jimmy Smits Running Scared
Wesley Snipes Wildcats
Kevin Spacey Heartburn
Naomi Watts - For
Love Alone
Page 6 VOL. XI NO. 1 February / March 2015 / 2016
Spotlight on
Custom
Companies!
Custom Cares Charities
Sharing is Caring
By Tom Mroz
As he has done in past years,
Mr. Mandera sent an email to
everyone in the Custom family
asking if anyone knows of a
family in real financial need to
email him a short story on their
needs and what he could do to
help them get through the
Christmas and Holiday Season and hopefully make their lives a little better. Many of
you sent him your stories and many families and individuals, along with several
churches were given a check from Custom Cares Charities. We all hope that it made
their holidays a little better.
And many of you also helped by donating your extra lunch time hours you earned by
wearing pink on Fridays in October to help research find a cure for Breast Cancer.
Custom Cares was able to send the Susan G. Komen fund $5,000 because of your
generosity. Many thanks to all of you who participated.
Water for Flint, MI !
Sweet Holy Spirit Church in
Chicago was the setting on
February 3, 2016 where dozens
of volunteers came together to
reach out for a city in
need. Organizers with the
church gathered 40 pallets of
donated bottled water for the
residents of Flint Michigan,
where the water supply to the
city is unsafe for use due to
being compromised with lead
poisoning. Durwin Ponton,
Andres Duarte, and Vandon
Thompson powered the tractor
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 7
Did You Know???
trailer and two
straight trucks
donated by The
Custom Companies,
Inc. to make the trek
to Flint, Michigan
to get this needed
water delivered.
Volunteers and
members of the
Macedonia Baptist
Church of Flint
greeted our drivers
upon arrival and
were extremely
thankful for the
generosity from
Chicago and The
Custom Companies,
Inc. for helping
make a difference!
Major events of
1986:
January 28, the
Challenger explodes.
Worst nuclear
disaster ever occurs
in Chernobyl, USSR,
April.
Fox Network starts in
America
Arnold
Schwarzenegger
marries Maria
Shriver.
Durwin Ponton & Vandon Thompson
"A.M. Chicago"
changes its name to
the "Oprah Winfrey
Show" and goes
national September
8th.
Turner Broadcasting
begins to colorize
black and white
classics.
America celebrates
national holiday Dr.
Martin Luther King
Jr. day for the first
time.
Andres Duarte
1986 Academy
Award winners:
William Hurt – Best
Actor for Kiss of the
Spider Woman
Don Ameche – Best
Supporting Actor for
Cocoon
Geraldine Page –
Best Actress for The
Trip to Bountiful
Anjelica Huston –
Best Supporting
Actress for Prizzi’s
Honor
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 8 VOL. XI NO. 1 February / March 2016
March
Birthdays
Erick Lucena
3/1
Enoch Palacios
3/1
Milton Ayala
3/3
Steve Bartolone
3/4
Lisa Smith
3/4
Louis Garbe
3/6
Armando Ortiz
3/7
Steve Stinnett
3/7
Tony Crespo
3/9
Cynthia Podolak 3/10
Jose Garcia
3/12
Guillermo Gonzalez
3/12
Osmond Joseph 3/14
James Campbell 3/16
Jose Fabian
3/19
Jose Gualito
3/19
Jon DuJardin
3/21
Waclaw Jarzabek 3/22
Ruben Medina
3/22
Mike Kuliak
3/23
Dan Walsh
3/23
Oscar Bolanos
3/24
Mike Innocenti 3/24
Arjel Castillo
3/25
Agostino
Chiaramonte
3/25
Mentor Elezi
3/25
Adam Baltz
3/26
Miguel Figueroa 3/26
Mary Holowicki 3/26
Silvester White 3/27
Ramon Badea
3/28
Pedro Escanio
3/29
Kevin Daly
3/31
4 signs and symptoms not to ignore
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Take note of important signs and symptoms — from unexplained weight loss to
shortness of breath — and know when to seek medical care.
Chest pain, sudden loss of vision or speech, and severe abdominal pain require
immediate medical attention — but what about more subtle red flags? It can be tough
to know what to do. Here's a list of seven signs and symptoms that merit attention.
1. Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without trying might sound like a dream come true, but in reality it can
signal a health problem. If you're not obese and you've lost more than 10 percent of
your body weight during the past six months — for instance, 15 pounds (7 kilograms)
if you weigh 150 pounds (68 kilograms) — consult your doctor.
An unexplained drop in weight could be caused by various conditions — including
overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, depression, liver disease, cancer or
disorders that interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients (malabsorption
disorders).
2. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath could signal an underlying health problem. Very strenuous
exercise, extreme temperatures, massive obesity and high altitude all can cause
shortness of breath. Outside of these examples, shortness of breath is likely a sign of a
medical problem. If you have unexplained shortness of breath, especially if it comes
on suddenly and is severe, seek emergency medical care.
Causes for breathlessness might include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism), as well
as other heart and lung problems. Difficulty breathing can also occur with a panic
attack — a sudden episode of intense anxiety that triggers severe physical reactions
when there is no real danger or apparent cause.
3. Feeling full after eating very little
If you consistently feel full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual, get
checked by your doctor. This feeling, known as early satiety, also might be
accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloating or weight loss. If so, be sure to tell your
doctor about these signs and symptoms as well.
Possible causes of early satiety include gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly
known as GERD, and peptic ulcers. In some cases, a more serious problem — such as
pancreatic cancer — could be a factor.
4. Unexplained changes in bowel habits
What's considered normal for bowel movements varies widely. Consult your doctor if
you notice unusual or unexplained changes in what's normal for you. Changes in bowel
habits could signal a bacterial infection — such as campylobacter or salmonella, a
viral or parasitic infection, irritable bowel disease and colon cancer.
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 9
The World’s Largest Truck Stop - The Iowa 80
March
Anniversaries
By Mary Poreda
Years
The Iowa 80 truck stop is located off of I-80’s exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa. It was opened
in 1964 by Bill Moon who located the sight for Standard Oil. The truck stop consisted
Marc Inman
28
of a small truckers’ store, one lube bay and a restaurant.
Bruce Schaller
27
Iowa 80 in the 60’s
Bill Moon
According to Bill’s wife Carolyn, after managing the truck stop for 20 years, Bill
jumped at the opportunity to purchase it in 1984 and did everything he could to raise
the money. On the Iowa 80 website, Carolyn states, “Bill just loved everything about
trucks and trucking, he loved to sit at the counter in the restaurant and talk to drivers
about what would make their life easier if Iowa 80 had it. He truly enjoyed the truck
stop business and all of the people he encountered.”
Iowa 80 in the 1980’s
Today
In 1992, the year of Bill’s death, it became a Travelcenter of America franchise still
owed and operated by the Moon family. What began as a small white enamel building
in the 60’s now serves 5,000 customers per day, has parking for 900 tractor-trailers,
250 cars, 20 buses and is home to a 300-seat restaurant; gift store, the Super Truck
Showroom, a dentist, a barber shop, a chiropractor, a workout room, laundry facilities,
a 60-seat movie theatre, a trucker’s TV lounge, a Verizon store kiosk, 24 private
showers, a food Court, a convenience store, a custom embroidery and vinyl shop, 10
gas islands, 16 diesel lanes, a fuel center, a 7-bay truck service center, a 3-bay Truck
-o-mat truck wash, a CAT Scale, the Dogomat Pet Wash, and the Iowa 80 Trucking
Museum.
Each year in July, the Iowa 80 hosts the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, a 3-day event
dedicated to Celebrating America’s Truckers. This year’s Jamboree will be held July
14-16. Admission and parking are free and features include an antique truck display,
super truck beauty contest, a pork chop cookout, carnival games, live country music,
trucker Olympics, fireworks, and 175 exhibits. For more information visit iowa80.com
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
John Angelopoulos 27
Donna Robinson 24
Russ Krezel
18
Walt Gustafson
12
Fransisco Pelayo 12
Frank Osborne
11
Peter Schmit
11
Steve Coffey
10
Silvester White
9
Enoch Palacios
8
Izabella Czarnewicz 6
Oscar Aceves
6
Mentor Elezi
5
Miguel Gutierrez
5
Juan Luna
5
Justin Major
5
Shawn Struchen
5
Orlando Manimtim 5
Dan Walsh
4
Bruce Wisdom
4
Bruce Dunlap
4
Jon Kofoed
3
Ken Whidden
3
Paul Gale
3
Ryan Camarena
2
Ramiro Valdez
2
Anthony Realzola 2
John Finnegan
2
Carlos Huicochea
2
Robert Propp
1
Andrew Cece
1
Angelo
Angelopolous
1
Nora Krezel
1
Page 10 VOL. XI NO. 1 February / March 2016
Girl Scout Cookies – An American Chronicle
By Debra Frezza
It’s a tradition that started back in 1917 by selling a simple sugar cookie. Today there are 8 varieties
including: Thin Mints, Samoas – Coconut, Carmel and Chocolate, Tagalongs – Peanut Butter covered in
chocolate, Do-Si-Dos – Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, Trefoils – Shortbread Cookies, Rah-Rah Raisin
– Oatmeal Rasin Cookies, Savannah Smiles – Lemon Cookies Covered with Powdered Sugar and Toffee
Tastic – the gluten free cookie in the lineup. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest Girl-Run
Business in the world! Thin Mints are always the biggest seller. These days they cost $4.00 a box, so
where does the money go? The Girl Scouts breaks it down this way.
Cookie Program – Bakery Costs = 29% or $1.15/box
Cost of cookies from baker, transportation, staff
Troop Proceeds, Service Unit Bonuses & Girl Rewards = 20% or $.81/box
$.65 to $.76 in troop proceeds, $.12 in girl rewards, $.02 service unit bonus
Girl Scout Leadership Experience = 20% or $.80/box
Supports GSUSA chartered curriculum, financial assistance and the Girl Scout Connect Initiative
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award project support
Camp Facilities & Programs = 12% or $.49/box
Financial assistance to provide access to camp for all girls, maintenance and upkeep of residential
camps and keeping camp registration affordable at approximately 60 percent of market value.
Member & Volunteer Support = 15% or $.59/box
Support for new volunteers, including background checks and training. Provides marketing
resources and supplies for volunteers to promote Girl Scout membership.
Customer Service and Support = 4% or $.16/package
Customer Service professionals available to answer volunteer questions by phone, email and assist
service center guests, admin support for programs for 40,000 Girl Scouts and 18,000 volunteers
What skills does selling cookies teach the girls? The 5 skills are as follows:
Goal Setting – We set our goal together of how much we want to sell and what we plan to do with what
we make. The girls learn that upselling is a way to hit our goal faster, (5 boxes for $20). A lot of Girl
Scout Troops collect cookies for the military and send boxes overseas.
Decision Making – The girls in the troop make their own decisions of how much they want to sell and
what they want to do with the proceeds.
Money Management – The girls learn how to count back change to customers, reinforcing math skills.
They also learn that each box sold gets them closer to their goal.
People Skills- The girls meet new people selling to the public. They learn the skill of being courteous is
more important than making the sale. They learn not to take it personaly if someone isn’t interested in
buying.
Business Ethics- Sometimes customers walk away and forget their change so the girls will track them
down to give it to them. The girls will also go the extra mile to locate a box of cookies from another troop
if they’ve sold out of that variety. Customers appreciate that!
The world’s record of the most cookies sold by 1 Girl Scout was set in 2014. A scout named Katie, from
Oklahoma City sold 21,477 boxes of cookies. Now the next time you see a Girl Scout, think about buying
a box of cookies. As you can see, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye!
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 11
Six Incredible Air Cargo Facts
By Bryan Robbins
Since the Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903, aeronautics technology advanced rapidly. One of the
chief goals in man achieving flight was to help transport persons and cargo. Here, we’re taking a
look at six amazing things you should know about air cargo.
1. First air cargo flight took place in 1910. A mere 7 years after the first ever flight, the Wright
Model B aircraft was flown 65 miles from Dayton, OH to Columbus, OH to transport 200lbs of silk.
2. Largest air cargo plane: Antonov An-225, the Antonov An-225 can take off with a maximum
weight of 640 tons
(1,280,000lbs) and has
a wingspan of 290 feet.
3. Longest scheduled air cargo
route: Dubai to Panama City.
Coming up in February 2016,
Emirates are starting a regular
8,588 mi (13,821 km) service
between Dubai, UAE and
Panama City, Panama. That’s
an exhausting 17 hours 35
minutes traveling westbound.
Talk about long-haul. Sure it’s primarily a passenger flight, but the plane can carry up to 16 tons of
cargo in its belly.
4. Heaviest Load Delivery: 418,834 pounds. It’s the Anatov again. This whale of a plane
once swallowed a gas power station generator weighing 418,834 pounds (190 tons) – the current
world record for a single-item air-lifted payload. It also holds the world record for total air-lifted
payload 559,577 pounds (254 tons).
5. Highest altitude delivery: 250 miles. It starts off in the air but soon moves beyond the
atmosphere. Two private companies are contracted by NASA to deliver cargo to the International
Space Station, orbiting the planet 250 miles (400 kms) up. In mid-December, the latest cargo load to
make the 5 day journey was 7,700lb (3.5 tons) of food, clothing, computer gear, spacewalk
equipment, science experiments and other supplies.
6. Busiest air cargo airport: Hong Kong Airport.
Hong Kong topped the list for busiest air cargo
airport with 4.8 million tons of loaded and unloaded
freight in 2014. Memphis International Airport came
in second.
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 12 VOL. XI NO. 1 February / March 2016
Book Review: Ashley Bell
Author: Dean Koontz
By Mary Poreda
Dean Koontz’s new book Ashley Bell is the story of Bibi Blair, a
young novelist who is on the road to success with the publication
of her first novel when her world is suddenly turned upside
down. One morning while eating her breakfast, she bites into a
roll and a horrible taste fills her mouth. Shortly afterward, she
begins to experience a weird tingly sensation and a loss of motor
functions in her hands and legs. She calls her mother who
takes her to the hospital where she is diagnosed with an
aggressive form of brain cancer and given less than a year to
live. That night in the hospital, Bibi is visited by a mysterious
man and his golden retriever. After man and dog leave, Bibi has
a seizure and falls into a deep sleep. The next day she wakes up
feeling wonderful and to the bafflement of her doctor, the cancer
seems to be in remission.
That night, Bibi is released from the hospital and joins her
parents for a celebratory dinner. Returning to her apartment, she is paid a visit by another mysterious
stranger. This time a woman who claims that there is a reason her life has been spared; she is the only one
that can save the life of a young girl by the name of Ashley Bell. To make matters worse she must leave
her apartment immediately because some very dangerous people are going to try and stop her. Suddenly
Bibi’s cell phone rings and after speaking to the caller, she begins to think there may be some truth to the
woman’s claim.
Embarking on an incredible journey, Bibi sets out to discover the identity and location of the mysterious
Ashley Bell. Along the way, she will find out that she is capable of much more than she ever believed
possible and uncover some amazing truths about herself.
Like a child asking to be picked up again Ashley Bell will call to you the moment you put it down.
Koontz will entice your imagination and keep you intrigued every step of the way as he guides you
through surreal landscapes on this super suspenseful quest!
Custom Companies Word Search
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The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 13
Cooks Corner
By David Lorge
Grilled Corned Beef
2½ pounds corned beef (with spice packet)
1 rib celery, trimmed, cut into ½-inch diagonal slices
1 carrot, peeled, cut into ½-inch diagonal slices
1 small yellow onion, cut into thin wedges
2 garlic cloves, crushed with the side of a knife
1 can (28 ounces) Italian plum tomatoes in juice
½ head (1 pound) green cabbage, cut into 4 wedges,
cores slightly trimmed
10 small red potatoes, each cut in half
2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
Instructions
Unwrap the corned beef and pat dry with paper towels. Allow the beef to stand at room temperature for 15
to 30 minutes before grilling.
Prepare the grill for indirect cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F).
Arrange the celery, carrot, onion, and garlic in a 9-by-13-inch heavy-duty foil pan. Place the corned beef
on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle the contents of the spice packet over the corned beef and rub into the
surface of the meat. Add the tomatoes; fill the empty tomato can with water and add to the pan. Cut the
tomatoes into 1-inch chunks.
Brush the cooking grates clean. Tightly cover the pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil and grill
over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, for about 2 hours. Remove the pan from the grill. Add the
cabbage wedges and potatoes around the corned beef and spoon the cooking juices on top. Cover the pan
with foil and continue grilling over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, until the corned beef,
potatoes, and cabbage are tender, about 1 hour more.
Transfer the corned beef to a cutting board and spread the mustard on top. Let stand 5 minutes before
carving the meat across the grain into ½-inch slices. Serve corned beef slices with the cabbage and
potatoes, with juices spooned over all, along with grilled rye bread, if desired.
.
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 14 VOL. XI NO. 1 February / March 2016
Ham Steaks – David Lorge
with a Citrus Sauce
Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes
Grilling time: 6 to 8 minutes
2 bone-in ham steaks, each about 1 pound and
3/4 inch thick
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 orange, cut into wedges (optional)
Sauce
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
Finely grated zest of 1 large orange
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon orange marmalade
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1. Prepare the grill for direct cooking over mediumhigh heat
2. In a medium, nonreactive bowl combine the sauce
Ingredients.
3. In a small saucepan combine the marmalade,
orange juice, and vinegar. Cook over low heat just until
the mixture thins slightly.
4. Blot the ham steaks dry with paper towels. Brush both sides of each ham steak with the marmalade
mixture and season one side evenly with 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
5. Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the ham steaks over direct medium-high heat, with the lid closed
as much as possible, until they are nicely marked and crispy around the edges, 6 to 8 minutes, turning once.
Remove from the grill and cut into individual portions. Serve warm with the sauce and orange wedges, if
desired.
Bacon wrapped stuffed brats – Clinton Perrot
Ingredients
4 bratwurst
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 slices bacon, cut in half
5 tablespoons brown sugar
3 (12 ounce) cans beer (I used a good IPA)
1 small jalapeno (seeded)
3 minced cloves garlic
Instructions
Poke bratwurst several times with a small fork or toothpick, and place into a saucepan with the beer. Bring
to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the bratwurst
from the beer, and allow to cool to room temperature.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and place a wire rack on top to
allow drippings to fall through.
Toss the brown sugar and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl and set aside. Cut each bratwurst into
three pieces and cut a small slit down center of bratwurst and stuff a small sliver of jalapeno and touch of
garlic.
Wrap each piece with half strip of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Toss the bratwurst with the cayenne
mixture to coat, then place onto the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven until the bacon is brown and crisp, 25 to 35 minutes.
Serve over a bed of romaine or butter lettuce (optional)
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Page 15
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
The Custom Companies, Inc.
317 West Lake Street
Northlake, IL 60164
708.338.8888 Office
708.338.9550 fax
[email protected]
The Full Service Transportation Company
www.customco.com
www.customgl.com
www.gocdn.com
Newsletter Committee Members
Customer Service Support
Jay Cohen
Megan Luscombe At The Custom Companies, our main
objective is to deliver your goods on time
Cory Faucher
Tom Mroz
and in perfect condition. We understand the
Dominic Floro
Clinton Perrot
importance of a great customer – vendor
relationship. Our customer service center is
Debra Frezza
Mary Poreda
just a phone call away to provide a rate
Carol Guarino
Bryan Robbins
quote, track a shipment, schedule a pickup
or access accurate documentation. In todays
Kris Larson
Bonnie Zotos
fast paced environment, we work to provide
David Lorge
How about you? transportation solutions that
fit every economic situation.
Our “Customer First” program ensures that
your shipments will be delivered on time
and with the highest degree of care. In order
to maintain these standards, we measure
performance levels on every shipment. As a
result our internal operational systems are
constantly improving to provide better,
more accurate service, allowing our
transportation specialists to meet your
growing needs.
The Custom Companies, Inc.
- 317 West Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com