Now that the holiday season is here, it inevitably means that so too is the wintry weather. Colder conditions pose all sorts of challenges for our membership and the continued supply of materials and products across the nation. But with careful planning and sensible precautions, we know your customers can always rest assured that it’s still very much business as usual.
Many of you will have already started preparations to batten down the hatches in advance of the snow, storms, and rain.
For Hawkins, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, and with facilities in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, long and cold winters are the norm.
Although the latest forecasts suggest conditions will be fairly mild this year, it’s not unusual to see temperatures fall to -25°F, with accumulative snow posing quite a challenge, says Richard Erstad, Vice President, General Counsel at Hawkins, Inc.
“Last year, we had snow in November, and it didn't melt until April. Snow will fall, but then the winds blow, and it starts to drift, which affects visibility. It’s also bitterly cold.”
“Generally, our customers are aware of the potential for disruption. We try to work closely with them and communicate everything,” he adds. “You never know exactly when things will hit or how long – and how severe – things will be when they do.”
Part of the benefit of working in a cold weather climate is that your staff likely live in the same area and are acclimatized to the conditions. As a conscientious employer, Hawkins regularly checks to make sure they can get to and from work, and that they follow simple procedures to stay safe and warm, says Erstad.
The business uses a third-party service for snow removal at its facilities to make sure employees have access and trucks can get in or out. Ice Melt is also distributed near all entrances and dock areas.
“We’re also always monitoring weather reports and the highways,” adds Chris Gibson, Hawkins’ Senior HSE Manager. “We live in a part of a country where it's not uncommon for the state patrols to shut down interstates because of the snow – there's literally a gate they put across the road to stop people gaining access.”
“If it's not safe to travel by interstates, then alternate routes won’t be available either. We therefore work closely with our customers to see if materials can be pulled out of other facilities, or work with suppliers to see if they can get the product to our customers directly.”
Hawkins relies on the National Weather Service for updates, as well as local news reports, and a dedicated app called Weather Underground, says Gibson.
“There are maps available online that provide very detailed information about driving conditions, snow cover, ice, roadblocks, closures, and accident reports,” he says. “We can also access the Department of Transportation’s traffic cameras to help us determine whether it's safe to travel.”
“Most northern climes are used to these kinds of conditions. You make adjustments from a business standpoint, but it takes an extraordinary event to close a facility. I've been with the company 32 years, and we've only shut twice.”
Whatever the severity of the weather, it’s important to regularly reassess the conditions and not take risks, notes Terry Aubry of EMCO Chemical Distributors – and ACD’s 2023 Distributor of the Year.
The business operates out of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin and faces unpredictable weather patterns.
In such difficult conditions, materials can get brittle and chemical products can freeze, so it’s up to a responsible distributor to ensure they’re managed, stored, and moved carefully and correctly.
“In the Midwest, we have about nine months of cooler weather and it's not unusual to get -20°F wind chills in the winter,” says Aubry, “Cold temperatures can have interesting dynamics on viscosity or the solidification of materials. When it comes to handling certain materials, some chemicals freeze at 55°F. When you're delivering material in bulk or bringing back empty totes and you’ve got to clean them, there are many challenges.”
But it’s not just from an equipment point of view, there’s also the human aspect to consider, she adds.
“People are going to be working outside in the cold, with little protection from the elements. There could be an increase in injuries and sprains, and you have to be mindful of slips, trips, and falls.”
“We often start planning in September. By November, we're getting out the winter equipment – the snow plows, shovels, and salts. We also start pre-prepping employees to be mindful of the colder season,” says Aubry. “Our people are an extension of us, so we always encourage them to check their tires, homes, and equipment.”
Here are some tips to ensure you’re prepared and can continue operating safely this winter:
Stay safe and happy holidays!
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