Brookshire Grocery Company

Brookshire Grocery Company
Fiscal 2010 Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report
Contents
Our Community
12 Community Connections
12 Adopt-A-School
12 Food Banks
12 Spirit of Christmas Food Drive
13 Brookshire’s World of Wildlife Museum
and Country Store
13 Brookshire’s Benefit
Golf Tournament
13 WWII Heroes Flights
5
6
10
11
Our Workplace
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
16
Letter to Stakeholders
Company Overview
Our Stores
Company Profile
Open Door Atmosphere
Training and Development
Job Posting and
Promotion Process
Benefits of Brookshire Grocery Company
Brookshire University
Degrees
BGC Scholarships
Internship Program
Partner Recognition Commitment
to Safety
18 In the Stores
18 Store Operations
Support Areas
Our World
20
21
22
22
22
23
Transportation Efficiency
Manufacturing
and Distribution
Corporate Offices
The Stores
Energy Conservation
Recycling
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
To Provide a Great Food
and Shopping Experience
Dear Stakeholders,
My journey with Brookshire Grocery Co. began in 1970 with my first jobs in
distribution and as a sacker at a local store. I would have never imagined at that time
that my entire career would be spent with this company or that I would continue on
through the various positions I have since held. It has been a succession of wonderful
opportunities.
Having lived through the evolution of Brookshire Grocery Co. to what it is today and
serving now as president and chief executive officer, I am excited about both where
we are and what we are striving to be. We have ambitious, yet achievable goals.
For the last several years, our company has been in the midst of an unparalleled
transformation – one that is reinvigorating our business. Not only have we
sharpened our capabilities through new software and technology, but we are
renewing our focus on customers and their experience in our stores. Customers’
expectations are helping to direct our future initiatives.
Rick Rayford
President
and Chief Executive Officer
We have always been committed to being a deeply responsible company. We have
always given back to the communities we have served. However, looking ahead, we
are taking an aggressive stance on conservation, sustainability and the total wellbeing of people.
Each year, I am proud to say, we donate millions of dollars and millions of pounds
of product to charitable service organizations. In the following pages, you will
find sections dedicated to all of our current efforts to help our communities.
With programs such as Community Connections, we are working to increase our
involvement in the communities we serve by engaging with our neighbors and
stakeholders.
Another priority is to develop people. We have made changes that encourage handson training and that encourage partners to engage customers. We have had our
own in-house university for years, but we are now considering new medias and new
teaching tools.
Third, we continue to explore new ways to positively impact the environment.
We recently introduced an environmental services department to manage the
company’s energy, utilities and solid waste, and to continue to develop our
overriding strategy regarding sustainability. Steps in recent years have included
reducing lighting in our stores, pursuing more efficient equipment and technology
and improving our standard miles per gallon for our truck drivers to reduce fuel
usage, among other things.
At the heart of everything we do at Brookshire Grocery Co. is honesty, integrity and
ethical business principles. Our best efforts from our people continue to enable our
company to remain profitable. We always strive to be transparent with our partners,
vendors and customers. We believe in open door policies and consumer feedback.
And, we sincerely listen.
This corporate social responsibility report is an honest look at our current efforts
on many fronts. Going forward, we will continue to grow and to mature in our level
of social and environmental responsibility. We want to integrate an awareness of
the greater world around us and its betterment into every aspect of our company. I
appreciate your interest in our progress.
5
Company Overview
Our Roots...
Brookshire Grocery Co. has a rich history dating
back to 1928. Wood T. Brookshire, the company’s
founder, worked hard to instill a solid foundation
built on concern for the community and the wellbeing of others. He was dedicated to the company
and to customers, providing service based on honor
and integrity—characteristics that still influence the
company’s
success. Today,
Brookshire
Grocery Co. is a
reflection of the
commitment
and pride upon
which it was
founded.
Mr. and Mrs. Wood T. Brookshire
In the Beginning...
In the 1920s, grocery stores were created to fulfill
the basic needs of the community and lacked many
of the conveniences we have today. However, Wood
founded his company on more than just basic needs;
he was driven to connect with customers and provide
exceptional service. 1931 proved to be an exciting
year. Wood moved his store to a location on South
Broadway Avenue, where one of the appealing new
features was the inclusion of fresh meats. At this
time, Wood was in a partnership with five brothers
operating several stores under the “Brookshire Brothers” name. In 1939, Wood became the sole owner of
three stores in Tyler and named them “Brookshire’s
Food Stores.” These were the stores that would grow
to become Brookshire Grocery Co. This same year,
tragedy struck when one of Wood’s stores burned.
Nevertheless, Wood’s loyal customers continued their
patronage, and Wood was able to further extend his
company, establishing a store in Longview and an office building in Tyler.
6
The ‘40s and ‘50s continued to prove successful for
Brookshire Grocery Co., with immense expansion
and company growth. In 1949, Wood built Brookshire’s first shopping center store, the original No.
9 in Tyler. By the early ‘50s, Wood’s sons, Bruce and
S.W. “Woody,” had grown into leadership roles, with
Bruce as manager at No. 10 in Corsicana, Texas, and
Woody leading No. 12 in Marshall, Texas. The 1950s
were a time of improvement, with a new office and
warehouse, and numerous features incorporated into
the stores.
By 1960, the company had grown from nine to 16
stores and had 10 stockholders: Wood, Bruce, Woody
and seven other key partners. Brookshire’s expanded
again by opening two stores in Shreveport, La. in
1961, and by entering the Computer Age in 1967.
By decade’s end, Wood was named chairman of the
board, and Bruce and Woody were overseeing operations.
Exceeding Expectations
During the 1970s and ‘80s, Brookshire’s Grocery Co.
continued to expand in Texas and Louisiana, and first
entered Arkansas. This growth was achieved through
a commitment to customers and to communities.
During this period, BGC opened its first “megastore”
(No. 51 in Tyler), and its bakery plant. Retail stores
also began to grow internally by offering new
Inside the first Brookshire’s store
services such as deli, bakery, seafood and floral
departments. In addition, the company’s 205acre recreation area on Lake Palestine opened.
In 1980, Bruce Brookshire was named chairman
of the board and chief executive officer, and S.W.
“Woody” Brookshire was named vice chairman of
the board and chief operating officer. 1984 was a
tremendous year as well, beginning the tradition
of Super 1 Foods, with the first store opening in
Alexandria, La.
These years saw the company begin to focus
on even more philanthropic endeavors, such as
The company’s first Super 1 Foods store, No. 601 in Alexandria, La.
the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive, and other
outreach programs to help families in need.
The company also focused on demonstrating
appreciation for partners by developing various
recognition programs, contests and events.
By 1990, the company had added 250,000 square
feet to its existing warehouse, was operating 89
stores, and had more than 6,900 partners. The
end of the 20th century also saw the addition
of distribution complexes in Tyler (SouthWest
Foods and the frozen foods warehouse at Tyler
DC) and in Monroe, La. Manufacturing exploded
The original No. 17 in Shreveport was the company’s first store to
in growth, adding dairy, drink/water, ice, and ice open in Louisiana.
cream plants in Tyler. Technological advances
included the introduction of e-mail and BGC’s
A grocery ad from
first website.
All of these resources allowed the company to
expand its territory with the acquisition of 21
stores from other retailers during the ‘90s. New
services included bank branches, fuel centers
and the Thank You Card. Community outreach
included a new, larger home for Brookshire’s
World of Wildlife Museum & Country Store.
New benefits for partners grew to include more
personal days, an enhanced vacation package
and the establishment of Brookshire University.
the opening of the
company’s original
store
By the new millennium, BGC was offering
more advantages than ever to communities,
customers and partners.
7
By the year 2000, the company included 134
stores, five manufacturing plants, distribution
operations in Tyler and Monroe, and more than
10,000 partners. And growth continued at a
healthy pace.
The Brookshire’s banner also introduced “Celebrate
Cooking,” a popular monthly publication with special offers, recipes and consumer tips. The “Lets Go
Green Together” initiative was introduced and works
on a number of levels to increase an environmentally friendly focus between BGC and its suppliers,
partners and customers. A life-sized bronze statue of
company founder W. T. Brookshire was installed near
the corporate office main entrance to commemorate
the company’s 80th anniversary in 2008.
To improve customers’ shopping experience, the
company rolled out a “Product Knowledge” initiaIn 2003, the company implemented SAP, an entive in 2009, whereby partners become food exterprise resource planning system that replaces
perts to actively engage customers in conversations
outdated technology and integrates company data
about food. This has led to improved relations and
systems. More 21st-century highlights include the
increased sales. The Brookshire’s banner received a
company’s dairy plant being certified as organic; the modern new look, including a redesigned logo and
Healthy Me at BGC wellness program, and the com- new tagline. BGC also joined the ranks of companies
pany’s recognition in Texas Monthly magazine as a
taking to YouTube and Facebook. Posts to Facebook
“Best Company to Work for in Texas” each year since include sales, events, recipes and nutrition topics,
the survey began. In 2006, the company joined forces among others. Likewise, Brookshire’s and Super 1
with Texas Motor Speedway, becoming the official
Foods introduced newly designed websites to congrocery store of TMS, opening a store at the track,
nect customers to articles, recipes, shopping lists and
hosting a midway booth and other involvement. The more.
company also became an official grocery sponsor of
NASCAR. This same year, the company developed
Finally, 2009 was a year for awards, with the BGC
a strategic 3-year plan to guide operations, to be
Manufacturing’s dairy plant earning the company’s
revised annually for succeeding three-year terms. An- Top Gun Safety and Quality Program Award; dairy
other pivotal move was the decision that same year and ice cream plants recognized as category winners
to adopt the category management business model. of the International Dairy Foods Association’s “Safest
Plant” award; and Food Club chocolate milk taking
A 2007 remodel of No. 51 in Tyler offered several
first place at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
company firsts, including
The company was once again cast into the industry
a chef-manned tasting
spotlight in 2009 when six leaders were selected as
station, the Java Jams cofTop Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer magafee bar and Yums gourmet
zine.
cupcakes. Brookshire
Grocery Co. increased its
buying power through
an association with
Topco, a co-op of more
than 60 grocery chains.
LET’SGO
green
TOGETHER!
8
2010
2010 has been a year of more exciting changes
at Brookshire Grocery Co. A new initiative called
STARS—Saving Time and Resources Systematically—
focuses on permanent continuous improvement.
Another addition is NuVal, a simple way to identify
the nutritional value of
foods based on a scoring
system of 1 to 100. The
score is easily seen on
the shelf tag. In August,
the Brookshire’s banner
relaunched the Thank
You Card, brimming with
added incentives including a $7 million Thanks a Million game. Super 1 Foods introduced cashier sacking
in the Shreveport/Bossier City market, with carousels
at the check stands. This new feature coincided with
remodels and upgrades in three area stores.
An architectural rendering of FRESH by Brookshire’s
In February, company and community leaders broke
ground at the site of FRESH by Brookshire’s, a oneof-a-kind “first” for east Texas and for the company.
When it opens in early 2011, FRESH will offer highquality organic and natural products, fresh foods and
convenient prepared foods, all under one roof.
Partner training at BGC is also taking on a fresh, new
approach, introducing “onboarding” to seamlessly
acclimate new partners. Already in place in District 1,
leaders designated as store trainers work extensively
with new partners for their first few days, giving them
an instant connection with their stores and a sense
of being part of the organization. Onboarding has
replaced off-site new-partner orientations in District
1 and is expanding to other areas of the company.
Technology continues to expand, with Phase IV of the
SAP implementation plan recently completed and
integrating manufacturing processes with the rest
of the company’s data systems. The new BGC Communication Portal, Livewire Exchange, goes live in
November with a new look and many added functions. Additionally, blogs, tweats on Twitter and sales
ads e-mailed directly to customers are other online
tools made possible by new technologies.
Remaining committed to communities with hundreds
of partner volunteers and other means of support,
BGC made a $300,000 donation earlier this year for
the restoration of five burned-out buildings in Tyler.
The site holds special meaning for the company, as
it housed the first Brookshire’s store in 1928. After
renovations, the store fronts will frame an outdoor
courtyard area. Another $300,000 donation was
generated in April, when BGC, vendors, suppliers and
other associates joined in Brookshire’s 22nd Annual
Benefit Golf Tournament for children’s charities.
The company also launched its World War II Heroes
Flights, taking dozens of veterans to see the memorial that honors them in Washington, D.C.
2010 has also been a year of awards. The Food Marketing Institute honored store director Sharon Boyett
as one of only three grand prize winners from 1,500
companies in its annual Store Manager Awards program. Sharon Boyett, Teresa Byrd, Lisa Glorioso and
Kathy Joyce were named 2010 Top Women in Grocery
by Progressive Grocer magazine. Produce managers Lannie Kiser and Joe Ortiz were named Retail
Produce Managers of the Year by the United Fresh
Produce Association. BGC’s ice cream plant was
named Best Plant for the ninth time in 10 years, and
the yogurt plant also received its third consecutive
award. Progressive Grocer also honored BGC with a
Green Grocer Award for social responsibility
through green initiatives.
9
Our Stores
No. 2 Van, TX
No. 3 Lindale, TX
No. 4 Emory, TX
No. 6 Winnsboro, TX
No. 7 Gladewater, TX
No. 8 Kilgore, TX
No. 9 Tyler, TX
No. 11 Athens, TX
No. 12 Marshall, TX
No. 13 Sulphur Springs, TX
No. 14 Paris, TX
No. 15 Hawkins, TX
No. 16 Mt. Pleasant, TX
No. 17 Benton, LA
No. 18 Shreveport, LA
No. 19 Wills Point, TX
No. 20 Malakoff, TX
No. 21 Minden, LA
No. 22 Monroe, LA
No. 23 Terrell, TX
No. 24 Shreveport, LA
No. 25 Shreveport, LA
No. 26 Springhill, LA
No. 27 Natchitoches, LA
No. 28 Tyler, TX
No. 29 Natchitoches, LA
No. 30 Palestine, TX
No. 31 Mineola, TX
No. 32 Canton, TX
No. 33 Grand Saline, TX
No. 34 Monroe, LA
No. 35 Kaufman, TX
No. 36 Whitney, TX
No. 37 Shreveport, LA
No. 38 Farmerville, LA
No. 39 Flint, TX
No. 40 El Dorado, ARK
No. 41 Tyler, TX
No. 42 West Monroe, LA
No. 43 Atlanta, TX
No. 44 Overton, TX
No. 45 Longview, TX
No. 46 Pittsburg, TX
No. 48 El Dorado, ARK
No. 49 Mexia, TX
No. 50 White Oak, TX
No. 51 Tyler, TX
No. 52 Commerce, TX
No. 53 Hillsboro, TX
No. 54 Bonham, TX
No. 55 Arcadia, LA
No. 56 Monroe, LA
No. 57 Haughton, LA
No. 58 Mt. Vernon, TX
No. 59 Rockwall, TX
No. 60 Quitman, TX
No. 61 Whitehouse, TX
No. 62 Ashdown, ARK
No. 63 McKinney, TX
No. 64 Mabank, TX
No. 66 Homer, LA
No. 67 Shreveport, LA
No. 68 Seven Points, TX
No. 69 Midlothian, TX
No. 70 Bullard, TX
No. 71 Troup, TX
No. 72 New Boston, TX
No. 73 Celina, TX
No. 74 Greenville, TX
No. 75 Groesbeck, TX
No. 76 Wylie, TX
No. 77 Corsicana, TX
No. 78 Shreveport, LA
No. 79 Farmersville, TX
No. 80 Gilmer, TX
No. 81 Magnolia, ARK
No. 82 Crossett, ARK
No. 83 Delhi, LA
No. 84 Chandler, TX
No. 85 Camden, ARK
No. 87 Quinlan, TX
No. 89 Forney, TX
No. 90 Robinson, TX
No. 91 Mansfield, LA
No. 92 Clifton, TX
No. 93 Comanche, TX
No. 94 Granbury, TX
No. 96 Arkadelphia, ARK
No. 97 Willow Park, TX
No. 98 Eastland, TX
No. 99 Cisco, TX
No. 100 Albany, TX
No. 101 Malvern, ARK
No. 102 Pine Bluff, ARK
No. 103 Pine Bluff, ARK
No. 104 Pine Bluff, ARK
No. 105 Pine Bluff, ARK
No. 106 Seagoville, TX
No. 107 Bossier City, LA
No. 108 Red Oak, TX
No. 109 Daingerfield, TX
No. 110 Jefferson, TX
No. 111 Rayville, LA
No. 113 Crowley, TX
No. 115 Benbrook, TX
No. 116 Brownwood, TX
No. 117 Sweetwater, TX
No. 119 Weatherford, TX
No. 124 Lake Worth, TX
No. 125 Azle, TX
No. 126 Springtown, TX
No. 129 Denton, TX
No. 130 Hallsville, TX
No. 131 Anna, TX
No. 132 Glen Rose, TX
No. 133 Joshua, TX
No. 134 Meridian, TX
No. 135 Alvarado, TX
No. 136 Bowie, TX
No. 89 in Forney,
Texas, was remodeled and expanded
in 2009.
10
No. 250 Nashville, ARK
No. 502 Corsicana, TX
No. 601 Alexandria, LA
No. 602 West Monroe, LA
No. 603 Bastrop, LA
No. 604 Ennis, TX
No. 605 Tyler, TX
No. 606 Longview, TX
No. 607 Monroe, LA
No. 608 Shreveport, LA
No. 609 Pineville, LA
No. 610 Tyler, TX
No. 611 Mt. Pleasant, TX
No. 612 Longview, TX
No. 614 Forest Hill, TX
No. 615 Greenville, TX
No. 616 Bossier City, LA
No. 617 Ruston, LA
No. 618 Texarkana, TX
No. 619 Hope, AR
No. 620 Pineville, LA
No. 621 New Iberia, LA
No. 623 Lafayette, LA
No. 625 Tyler, TX
No. 626 Shreveport, LA
No. 627 Lafayette, LA
No. 631 Marshall, TX
No. 632 Longview, TX
No. 633 Shreveport, LA
No. 636 Opelousas, LA
No. 637 Eunice, La
No. 638 Abbeville, LA
119 Brookshire’s supermarkets operating in three states:
Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas
30 Super 1 Foods stores operating in three states:
Texas, Louisiana and Arkanasas
1 Ole Foods store operating
in: Corsicana, Texas
1 ALPS store operating in:
Nashville, Ark.
No. 616 in Bossier City received a major image upgrade in 2010.
3 Express Lane convenience
stores operating in: Celina,
Corsicana and Seven Points,
Texas
1 Zippy B convenience store
operating in: Natchitoches, La.
Brookshire Grocery Co. Manufacturing facilities: bakery,
dairy, ice cream, yogurt, freshcut, ice, and water/drink plants,
all located in or near Tyler, Texas
Total number of cities where
Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods
and Ole Foods stores operate:
118-- 84 in Texas, 24 in
Louisiana and 10 in Arkansas
Partners employed by Brookshire Grocery Co.: 12,785
Companywide retailing space:
6,106,452 square feet
Total number of fuel centers:
79
Average store size: 40,440
Tyler Distribution Center complex size: 1,132,263 square feet
Total number of pharmacies:
112
Monroe Distribution Center
complex size: 463.000 square
feet
SouthWest Foods complex
size: 491,000 square feet
71 tractors and 329 trailers
in company fleet
Mileage logged by company
trucks in the past year:
8,732,941
Community Service: BGC remains engaged with local communities through the Community
Connections program. Partners
volunteer to assist schools,
nonprofit and civic organizations. BGC continues to donate
a portion of profits each year to
hundreds of organizations and
efforts benefitting local youth,
communities and charities.
11
Our Community
Brookshire Grocery Co. contributes to many nonprofit organizations — approximately 800-plus per
year. The company’s philanthropic focus is primarily
on children, civic and community efforts.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Many Brookshire Grocery Co. partners volunteer in
their communities, with store and department teams
organizing at least one volunteer activity per quarter.
Teams choose which organizations to assist. Activities include assisting Habitat for Humanity, food
banks, the United Way, Special Olympics, Susan G.
Komen Race for the Cure, Coats for Kids, Relay for
Life, Muscular Dystrophy Association, homeless shelters, animal shelters and others. To date, Brookshire
Grocery Co. partners have volunteered more than
23,000 hours in their communities.
ADOPT A SCHOOL
Company stores adopt local schools each year. Partners volunteer to read to school children, assist at
athletic events, sponsor student of the month programs, and more.
Some of the partners
who participated in
a Susan G. Komen
event in Tyler.
12
FOOD
BANKS
Brookshire
Grocery Co.
makes charitable contributions to several
food banks in
its market area. With the “I Can Wear Jeans on Friday” program, partners in store operations support
areas donate nonperishable products in exchange
for wearing jeans on Fridays. During “Hunger Action
Month,” stores in the East Texas Food Bank’s service
area sell pre-assembled bags of groceries and collect
monetary and product donations from customers.
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
FOOD DRIVE
Working closely
with numerous
service groups
and non-profit
organizations, the
company sponsors
the annual Spirit
of Christmas Food
Drive. Through the
generous contributions of customers and additional
donations from the
company, approximately 18,000 families receive food for
a week each year.
BROOKSHIRE’S WORLD
OF WILDLIFE MUSEUM
AND COUNTRY STORE
Located next to the company’s corporate
headquarters in Tyler, the museum features
more than 400 animal mounts from around
the world, as well as the replica of a country
store from the 1920s. A large playground is
adjacent to the museum, complete with a
train caboose and fire truck. More than 20,000
guests visit the museum annually.
BROOKSHIRE’S BENEFIT
GOLF TOURNAMENT
For more than 20 years, Brookshire’s Benefit Golf Tournament has united vendors and BGC leaders and raised
more than $2 million for children’s charities. Each year
the event has grown, and in 2010 almost 500 golfers
played on four courses to raise $350,000. The tournament closes with a vendor appreciation dinner featuring
a silent auction, live music and a check presentation to
benefitting agencies.
BROOKSHIRE’S
WORLD WAR II
HEROES FLIGHTS
In May 2010, Brookshire’s
fully funded its first trip for
38 East Texas World War II
Veterans to Washington D.C.
to see the World War II Memorial and other sites. The
trip was to show appreciation for the veterans’ service
to our country. The company
escorted another group of
veterans in October.
13
Our Workplace
Brookshire Grocery Co.’s greatest asset are its people. In fact, it is the company’s partners and customers who have made the company a success for more
than 80 years.
several vehicles for communication so partners can
talk face-to-face, anonymously through a toll-free
phone service, by e-mail, through partner surveys or
however they prefer. Management is trained to be
available, approachable and receptive to the needs
and concerns of the partners they lead.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Brookshire Grocery Co. is committed to training
and developing partners through several structured
programs. The training process begins upon employment with onboarding orientation and training for
newly hired partners. Partners who wish to enter into
store leadership positions can apply for participation
in the management-training program. This comprehensive program provides months of training in all
facets of managing a store. Participants receive competitive compensation and are evaluated through all
phases of the process. Those who successfully complete the training process are typically assigned as
assistant store managers.
JOB POSTING AND PROMOTION PROCESS
BGC invests significant financial resources for the
development of its more than 12,500 partners, whobring to the company diverse backgrounds, knowledge and experiences. As participants in the Employee Stock Ownership and 401(k) Plan, partners share a
common interest in the company’s success and help
to carry out its mission of providing a great food and
shopping experience.
BGC offers a structured job posting process to notify partners of various openings. Job openings are
posted and notices are sent to partners via Livewire
Exchange, BGC’s new communication portal. Qualified and interested candidates can submit applications to be considered for job vacancies. Candidates
must successfully complete an interview process and
receive high recommendations from their direct supervisors. This process is actively promoted as a fair
and equitable way to promote growth opportunities
for partners seeking to grow with the company.
OPEN DOOR ATMOSPHERE
Brookshire Grocery Co. supports and believes partners should be treated with fairness, dignity and
respect, providing them with avenues to express
their ideas, suggestions and concerns. The company
promotes an “open door” practice whereby partners can feel comfortable approaching and talking
to members of management on all levels. There are
14
Some of the partners who helped to lead a crew communication model at No. 621 in New Iberia, La.
BENEFITS OF BROOKSHIRE
GROCERY COMPANY
Brookshire Grocery Co. offers an array of competitive benefits. In addition to competitive salaries and
wages for both full-time and part-time partners, the
company invests more than $80 million annually in
a comprehensive package that includes vacation,
personal days, medical, vision, dental, wellness programs, college scholarships, and an Employee Stock
Ownership and 401(k) Plan. Other benefits include
partner recognition events, awards for outstanding
job performance and years of service, and access to
the company’s recreation area on Lake Palestine.
BROOKSHIRE UNIVERSITY DEGREES
Throughout the year, many partners are enrolled in
various courses at Brookshire University, the company’s continuing education program. Degrees are
awarded at annual partner recognition events to
those who have completed 30 hours to obtain an Eagle degree, or 60 hours to earn a Leadership Degree.
The company’s recreation area on Lake Palestine
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Brookshire Grocery Co. continually works with various colleges and universities to develop and coordinate an internship program. This new and exciting
recruiting effort allows the company to provide “real
world” experience to college students while gaining
a new perspective and point of view from temporary
partners, many of whom are studying current marketing and business trends. Each internship begins
with the new on-boarding process for partners, complete with facility tours, which provides a beneficial
overview of our business. Monthly meetings promote
open communication between the interns, their
department supervisors and the training department.
Through the internship program, Brookshire Grocery
Co. has established strong working relationships with
several universities, which now know much more
about our company and the opportunities available
to their graduates.
Kenneth Credeur proudly displays his Eagle Degree
BGC SCHOLARSHIPS
Brookshire Grocery Co. has a long-standing tradition
of helping partners pursue their dreams of a college
education. The Brookshire Grocery Co. scholarship
program awards scholarships to partners in all areas
of the company (up to $1,000 per semester). Applicants must be a current partner in good standing
with the company, intend to pursue an undergraduate degree in a job-related field, attend each regular
semester with a minimum of six hours and maintain
a 2.5 GPA. Brookshire Grocery Co. assists dozens of
partners each year through the scholarship program.
Fall 2010 Brookshire Grocery Co. interns
15
Partner Recognition
Brookshire Grocery Co. conducts events
to honor partners for achievements
Service Awards
Partners marking full-time service anniversary milestones (5
years, 10 years, etc.) receive a commemorative lapel pin and
certificate, along with an award of their choice from a prize
catalog offering electronics, lifestyle items and jewelry.
Recognition at Retirement
As a special tribute, partners who meet age requirements and
have sufficient years of service receive a customized plaque
and a cash gift upon retirement.
Team Building for Leaders
In recent years, the company began an exciting tradition of
bringing together teams of leaders for a day of food, fun, fellowship — and competition. Each spring, teams representing
district leaders and store directors, category management,
store brands, marketing, information technology, corporate
development and others converge on the company’s recreation area at Lake Palestine for a cook-off event. Teams work
throughout the day perfecting their concoctions and getting
better acquainted with other leaders.
The 2010 S.W. “Woody” Brookshire Store of the Year
winning store directors for District 2, with District Vice
President Trent Brookshire.
Hall of Honor
Brookshire Grocery Co. has the distinction of being a “Great
Place to Work,” as is evidenced by the many partners who
enjoy long careers. Portraits of partners with 35 years of
full-time service are prominently displayed at the corporate
headquarters in Tyler. Currently, 93 partners have been recognized with this honor.
Store Operations Events & Contests
• S.W. “Woody” Brookshire Store of the Year
Named in memory of Woody Brookshire, who was vice
chairman of the board, this contest recognizes stores that
stand out in all areas of operations. Monthly winners are
selected from January through June in each district based
on customer service, professionalism, appearance, operating efficiency and adherence to policies. Each monthly
winner receives $200 for the store’s party fund.
• Management Awards
Thank You, Partner
Selected leaders reward partners for “going beyond the call
of duty” by presenting them with a Thank You Partner card.
Cards feature a “scratch-off” format that reveals either a $5
store coupon, or a special silver or gold-level prize. Instructions on the silver and gold level cards direct partners to a
website where they can select from an assortment of silver
and gold prizes, valued at $50 and $100, respectively.
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A Store Director of the Year is named in each district during
year-end performance results meetings in October. Managers of the Year are also named in each district for market,
produce, perishable, deli, bakery, and pharmacy. All winners receive a plaque and a cash award.
Partner Recognition Events honor hundreds of service award recipients, contest winners and Brookshire University
graduates. These events are conducted in retail districts and store operations support areas in July and August.
Each winner in the contests below receives a commemorative certificate and selects an award from a prize catalog.
The 2010
MVP monthly winners
from Tyler
Distribution.
• Champions of Service
All partners excluding management are eligible for this
contest in which winners are selected based on quantity
and quality of work, teamwork, professionalism, company
loyalty, customer engagement and suggestive selling.
• Cashier of the Year
This contest rewards cashiers who exhibit the traits of professionalism and an outstanding attitude, and who consistently excel in speed and accuracy.
• Stocker of the Year
Grocery stockers, grocery managers, perishable stockers
and assistant perishable managers are eligible after six
months of service. Stocking averages, attitude and job
performance are the criteria considered.
• Courtesy Clerk of the Year
This title goes to courtesy clerks with the highest scores in
bagging competitions and in evaluations measuring customer service, productivity and professionalism. Partners
must have six months of service to be eligible.
Support Area Events & Contests
• Extra Mile
This contest rewards partners who serve in capacities that
support the stores (administration, facility services and
manufacturing). Monthly winners are selected from February through June for outstanding attitude, accuracy, initia-
tive, dedication and integrity. Winners in this contest also
receives a certificate and an award from a prize catalog.
• Most Valuable Puller (MVP)
Management selects monthly winners from April through
August for order pullers in four distribution areas: grocery
warehouse, perishable warehouse and SouthWest Foods/
Repack (all at Tyler DC), and Monroe DC. Criteria includes
performance, attitude, accuracy, attendance and safety
records. Monthly winners receive a plaque, and an overall
winner in each area wins a $200 BGC gift card.
• Safe Driving Awards
BGC truck drivers are recognized and honored for safe
driving, with cash awards for various mileage categories.
In addition, drivers achieving 1 million miles without a
chargeable accident receive a diamond ring and have their
portraits displayed at the corporate offices. Thirteen drivers
are currently in the BGC Drivers Hall of Fame.
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Commitment to Safety
Brookshire Grocery Co. is committed to the safety of customers,
partners and the environment. Many practices are in place
to ensure excellence in these areas.
IN THE STORES
The company has long had comprehensive plans in place to address
everything from hand washing to
restroom maintenance. Outside
auditors are used to ensure compliance, measuring sanitation
and safety based on food holding
temperatures, product labeling,
prevention of cross-contamination, hygiene, availability of hot
and cold water, storage of toxic
items, exclusion of pests, safe
stocking and display procedures
and more. A new store operations safety manager position
was created in August to focus on process improvements to further reduce
accidents and promote a safe working
and shopping environment.
STORE OPERATIONS
SUPPORT AREAS
Manufacturing
BGC Manufacturing’s dairy and ice cream plants
have won multiple awards and continue to
raise the bar of excellence. All BGC Manufacturing plants are self-audited monthly for
quality and safety, frequently inspected by local officials and inspected annually by federal
officials, as well as two independent firms.
Manufacturing partners are trained annually on quality and safety issues including
biosecurity, food safety, HACCP, allergens
and cold chain. BGC Manufacturing partners are tested monthly on information
retention as part of the Top Gun Quality
and Safety Program. Lab technicians
and supervisors at all plants also go
through annual training to stay current
on trends, testing and issues within
the industry.
The cold chain system is reviewed and documented
daily, from ingredients received to finished products
that are shipped to stores and outside customers.
Distribution
The Logistics Priority One Safety Program, a program Each manufacturing plant conducts mock recalls
every six months on different ingredients or finished
that positively reinforces partners for no accidents,
products to ensure partners are proficient in the
has resulted in reduced OSHA-reportable accidents
process of recalls and market withdrawals. Mock
by 33 percent since its start in January 2008.
recalls include contacting stores, vendors and outside
New equipment, purchased from leading manufaccustomers via e-mail and phone to assure product is
turers, features cutting-edge ergonomic and safety
designs such as cushioned foot pads, knee pads, han- removed from shelves.
dle grips and back supports. A built-in seat has been
BGC Manufacturing sets a high standard for vendors.
added to narrow-aisle forklifts and “see-through”
Its food safety program aims to trace ingredients
mast designs for better visibility.
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from “farm to fork.” All incoming ingredients
are required to provide a certificate of analysis with each shipment, as well as lot codes
for traceability. Biosecurity information is
requested from all vendors for review, including safety documents, Hazard Analysis
and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and
HACCP verification documentation, and
any other relevant food safety paperwork.
Upon review, if a vendor does not satisfy
BGC Manufacturing standards, alternative
providers are researched. This provides BGC
Manufacturing with complete confidence in
all ingredients and finished products. BGC
Manufacturing plants are involved in the
process of becoming Safe Quality Food
certified by 2011.
2010 Top Gun Safety Awards
BGC dairy and ice cream plants only use
local milk from Texas. The dairy buys milk
from farms that adhere to modern animal welfare and safety practices, which
is verified by the co-op from which the
milk is purchased.
2010 All Star Association Best
Ice Cream Plant Award
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Our World
Brookshire Grocery Co. is committed to protecting the environment
through responsible education and continuous improvement
in the usage of energy and natural resources.
TRANSPORTATION
EFFICIENCY
Brookshire Grocery Co. is recognized as a partner of the EPA’s
SmartWay Transport Program
for its commitment to promote
energy efficiency and air quality
within the freight transport sector.
By joining this volunteer program,
Brookshire Grocery Co. agreed to set and strive to achieve environmental and fuel efficiency goals. SmartWay is helping the company to
achieve these goals by providing information on new technologies and
useful strategies to reduce fuel consumption and pollution. In 2010,
the company purchased trucks which use diesel exhaust fluid, a new
technology to achieve almost zero emissions. Liquefied natural gas
continues to be an energy source the company looks to for the future.
BGC has implemented wide-base tires
to improve fuel efficiency. Above, a new
wide-base tire, on the left, sits next to a
tractor with dual tires.
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More than 95 percent of our warehouse equipment is battery operated, resulting in zero emissions. All internal combustion engine
equipment is liquefied petroleum gas powered with oxidation catalyst
exhaust systems that produce fewer emissions than gasoline or diesel
IC machines.
A view of the newest 2010 company trucks
Some of the transportation division’s
current sustainability initiatives include:
1. Saving fuel by using single wide tires, aluminum
wheels, automatic tire inflation systems, on-board
computers, synthetic drive train lubes and extendedlife coolant and door switches to prevent refrigerated
trailers from running when the door is open.
2. Filling trucks on their return trip with product normally shipped by a freight carrier to their distribution
centers, saving thousands of miles driven and reducing greenhouse gases.
3. Reducing top speed on company tractors from
68 mph to 65 mph, which has saved approximately
52,000 gallons of fuel in fiscal 2010.
4. Company car fleet is nearing a complete transition
to using all Hybrid cars, which achieve close to 50
miles per gallon.
5. Including the automatic transmission option when
ordering new trucks because of the associated fuel
savings and assurance that trucks shift at the optimal
time.
6. Using Transportation Systems Upgraded to efficiently route company trucks, eliminating miles run
and idle time.
7. Evaluating potential fuel savings by testing winding fairings on tractors and trailers.
BGC’s fleet of Toyota Prius hybrids
MANUFACTURING/ DISTRIBUTION
Waste Reduction
Perishable food products that are safe for consumption are made available to nonprofit organizations
within the community through regular pickups at
company stores. This enables the organizations to
provide perishable food products to families in need.
Some of the local nonprofit benefactors are the East
Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army, Catherine House
and Azleway Boys’ Ranch. This helps defer more than
82,000 pounds of food from ending up in the landfill.
Also, ice cream waste is sent to local hog farmers
instead of the landfill.
All BGC Manufacturing plants strive to form partnerships and work with other companies that present sustainable options to the company and for the
environment. The dairy plant has joined the dairy
industry’s effort to reduce its carbon footprint 25
percent by 2020, an effort led by the Center for Dairy
Innovation and Dairy Management Inc., along with
the University of Arkansas.
BGC Manufacturing uses a system called Photon
Induced Oxidation to save water, sewage charges,
chemicals and energy. The PIOx system removes
organic material from wastewater prior to going to a
municipal wastewater treatment facility. This technology facilitates the reclamation of water, which
allows for the same water and chemicals to be used
several times before being sent down the drain. This
single green initiative results in more than $750,000 a
year in savings throughout BGC Manufacturing.
Hiber Ruiz loads baled cardboard for recycling at BGC’s
return center
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CORPORATE
OFFICES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
In order to reduce the
amount of disposable
break-room products
used, corporate partners
received insulated coffee mugs for daily reuse.
Styrofoam products were
replaced with eco-friendly
paper products made
from plants. Corporate
partners’ desktop printers and separate fax and
copy machines have been
replaced with department
network printer/copier/
fax machines to reduce
the amount of office paper, printer toners and printer
cartridges used. Shredders have been replaced with
confidential recycling bins and more recycling bins
have been added in the stores and in operations
support areas. This should also reduce the amount of
machines that ultimately end up in landfills. In March
2010, BGC was awarded the Green Grocer Award
given by Progressive Grocer Magazine. This award
recognizes industry leaders that have dedicated
themselves to social responsibilities through green
initiatives.
THE STORES
Customers are encouraged to purchase reusable
shopping bags in BGC
stores. This reduces the
amount of plastic bags
that end up in landfills.
Several designs are available for purchase and
customers are often given
incentives for bringing
these back into the stores
for reuse (five cents off for
each bag used in Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods).
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BGC is committed to preventive maintenance on
refrigeration, air conditioning and lighting systems
to produce the highest operating efficiencies. When
lighting fixtures are replaced, reduced wattage lamps
are used. During refrigeration preventive maintenance visits, system oil levels are restored to peak
operating levels. In addition, leak checks are performed and system integrity is confirmed. For most
stores, BGC system operators can access from their
computers the operating conditions of refrigeration,
air conditioning and lighting systems and optimize
performance for efficiency, product integrity and
maintenance management.
BGC facility services
is tracking aggregate corporate
carbon production.
All refrigerant usage
and leak rates are
tracked and actively
managed down,
as is energy use, to
reduce BGC’s carbon
footprint.
In the company’s
warehouses, BGC
has reduced lighting where possible,
changed production schedules and
set equipment to
conserving modes
on nights and weekends. Other energy-conserving measures include
replacing air seals and doors in the perishable warehouse, replacing trailer bumper seals, using energysaving LED lamp fixtures where appropriate and
replacing all thermostats with new, smart, lockable
units to save energy on weekends and off-hours. Other off-hour measures include increasing preventable
maintenance of all A/C and refrigeration condensers
and evaporator coils and turning off all manufacturing plant lights except emergency lighting.
RECYCLING
A courtesy clerk using one of the company’s
reusable bags
Brookshire Grocery Co.
recycled more than 600,000
tons of cardboard, plastic
and paper in 2009. Collection
containers are placed in front
of stores to collect plastic bags
and plastic (PET No. 1) bottles.
Cardboard is collected at retail
and warehouse facilities, paper is
collected at the corporate office
and shrink wrap is collected at all
stores and distribution centers. All
motor oil, used tires, old batteries
and scrap metal, including metal plates
and engraving scraps, are recycled. The dairy plant
uses a blowmold that manufactures gallon and halfgallon containers for milk, orange juice, fruit drinks,
lemonade, tea and water that are all manufactured
at BGC plants. The blowmold reuses excess resin and
imperfect containers.
Partners at No. 13 in Sulphur Springs, Texas, gathered with members of the community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to
unveil the store’s recycling program.
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