Making Connections in the Logistics and Supply Chain Industry at ChemEdge

What do chemical logistics, static electricity and dumpsters all have in common? They were all topics of discussion during Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD)’s ChemEdge 2024. This four-day event included Responsible Distribution and Regulatory workshops, a valuable conference, and a trade show for people in the chemical industry. From the exceptional speakers, engaging panel discussions, and casual networking sessions, it was a unique opportunity for members of this trade association to gain insights and knowledge from subject matter experts and each other.

Each year our team at All Chemical Transport Corp. attends ChemEdge. Katie Woods (project manager) and Jayda Santiago (billing support) participated in the conference and discovered new approaches to enhance operations and keep safety top of mind.

Here is more from Katie Woods, where she shared her experience of the conference.

Katie, tell us about your career journey in the logistics and supply chain industry at All Chem.
I started working at All Chem seven years ago in Customer Service. I quickly transitioned into a position within our dispatch department where I was able to put my logistical skills to the test. When the opportunity arose to spearhead the development of our container depot, I jumped at the opportunity. What began as a small project to oversee two small accounts, was grown quickly over the course of two years into a fully functioning depot. We now operate seven heavy lifts and have dedicated an entire team to the transportation and handling of up 2,000 ISO containers. Now, as a project manager, I am in a hands-on role supporting the continued growth of the business and I am actively learning more about the chemical transportation industry every day. ChemEdge was an important event for me to attend as I am finalizing the development and implementation of All Chem’s ACD Responsible Distribution program. This program created by ACD is a comprehensive framework for continuous improvement in chemical storage, handling, transportation, and disposal.

Top row: Presenter at ChemEdge 2024; Katie Woods, All Chemical Transport Corp. and Gerard Braud, Situation Hub Bottom row: Jayda Santiago and Katie Woods from All Chemical Transport Corp.; Jayda Santiago from All Chemical Transport Corp.

It was your first time at ChemEdge. What were your impressions of the conference?

When I first arrived, my first impression was that everyone there truly wanted to be there. The first sessions we attended during the Responsible Distribution workshop really showed the members’ dedication to the program itself and it was great to see everyone actively participating in the sessions. The level of interaction and engagement at the events was impressive, with everyone from salespeople to CEOs actively taking part in group discussions and sharing valuable and useful information. It was truly motivating to see people genuinely trying to learn about the current changes in the industry and share information. You could really see that each speaker truly cared about dedicating their time and put considerable effort into making each session interesting and relevant to the topic at hand.

Which sessions had the greatest impact on you?

While all of the speakers had valuable information to share, I found these three sessions to be the most informative.

“What Lies Within: The Danger in your Dumpster and other Enforcement Tales”
This session by Russell Ide from Valley Solvents stood out as my favorite. It really shed light on the risks lurking in seemingly harmless items, such as paint cans or fuel additives, when disposed of improperly. The emphasis on hazardous waste management and safe disposal methods was particularly helpful, making it a memorable and impactful presentation. The slides were powerful and the information he presented showed the risks we take as a chemical handler.

“Hazard Area Static Control”
Presented by Richard Puig from NewsonGale during the Responsible Distribution Pre-Conference Workshop, this session used scientific data and visuals to share how important hazard area static control is and how to properly protect yourself and your facility when working with volatile chemicals. The presentation utilized graphs and charts in a way that even a layman could understand, and Richard did an excellent job of showcasing just how easy it is to make a devastating mistake. It was a harsh reminder to be cautious when handling chemicals.

“How to Evaluate the Hazards on an SDS”
Peter Downing’s (from Environment & Safety Solutions) session on Safety Data Sheets (SDS) was also extremely informative and helped to better my understanding of how SDS are created. At All Chem, we take chemical safety seriously, and it was an important reminder to review each SDS individually because the people who write them are usually not the people who use them. Inaccuracies and incorrect information could cost someone their lives and it’s our responsibility to protect our workers.

What did you like most about the conference?
Each session offered valuable insights for everyone, no matter their role in the chemical transportation industry. It’s great to know that anyone, even someone outside of the industry, could attend this event and could learn something new. I also enjoyed the trade show, where I was introduced to other companies and learned more about their services and solutions and what they had to offer. I also bumped into Gerard Braud from Situation Hub. His company provides crisis communication services, which we use at All Chem.

What were your takeaways from ChemEdge?
The primary goal of ACD is to educate members on the responsible handling of chemicals. Chemicals are everywhere in our lives, and it is crucial to have a sense of awareness about their potential dangers. Most people don’t realize that chemicals are in the everyday products we use such as soap and beauty items, and understanding the nature of chemicals we interact with is essential. These substances can be found throughout our homes and offices and should be treated with respect. Without people like us taking on the role of handling the dangerous chemicals that we use every day, the world would come crashing to a halt.

At All Chemical, we understand that we are not just people working in the chemical industry, but we play a critical role in a larger community. Our work is important in providing the world with necessities such as food, drinks, healthcare products, pharmaceuticals, and clean water. This conference was a reminder to me that without the contributions of individuals in the chemical industry, many aspects of our daily lives would be significantly impacted.