NewsletterFall2014_Online

CONTENTS Bouquets Employees Sales bring joy of the Perspective Page 4 Quarter Page 4 Page 3Fiesta in the Park 2014 what’sPassion for Our People, Our Products & ServicesPage 2 BLOOMINGCare and Handling Project A Task That Grows SuccessThe success of our products starts with a founda-tion of knowledge and commitment New rose program produces resultsby Roberto Ante | Director of Quality by Matt Leonard | Kendal NorthIn June, we started a new Care and of the value chain. The purpose of On March 20, 2013, Kroger hadHandling Project with a series of this initial talk was to ensure some tasked Kendal and our competi-talks to all operations personnel. basic knowledge among all staff, tors to come up with a new roseIt is our goal as an organization such as: knowledge about plant program. This was an amazingto further our commitment to anatomy, importance of hydration opportunity for our companyproducing the highest quality solutions for the flower, correct to show off the talents of ourproducts, and we are introducing storage parameters and general group. As you all know, our com-this new Care and Handling Project information of our system such as pany is well known for puttingto ensure our people are placing the number of working hours together some of latest and great-an emphasis on the care and han- spent to produce a full box of est trends and ideas in the floraldling of our flowers in every step flowers. We also wanted to industry. This task was no excep- emphasize that we are part of a tion either. We presented five system, where if we all work to- new rose bouquet program ideas wards the same goal, no competi- to Kroger and they were very tor can compete with us. In the impressed with not only our second part of the talk we intro- product, but our merchandising duced the care and management presentation as compared to our project. One important point competitors. (Continued on page 3) of this project is to emphasize the commitment we want and Employee Newsletter | September 2014 Page 1 expect from the entire group of operations, a commitment to execute this set of rules, which we hope (Continued on page 3)

sta I2n0T14he Park Kendal North Monterey Bay Bouquet Kendal SouthPage 2 Employee Newsletter | September 2014

e and Handling Project EmployeeContinued from page 1 OF THE QUARTERIn June, we started a new knowledge about plant anat- Rocio MuñozCare and Handling Project omy, importance of hydration Kendal North is pleased towith a series of talks to all solutions for the flow- designate Rocio Muñoz asoperations personnel. It is er, correct storage pa- this quarter’s outstanding em-our goal as an organization rameters and general ployee. Rocio is originally fromto further our commitment to information of our Veracruz, Mexico. In Novemberproducing the highest quality system such as of 2003, Rocio came to Oregon.products, and we are intro- the number of working hours Upon her arrival, just beforeducing this new Care and spent to produce a full box of the Thanksgiving season, Ro-Handling Project to ensure flowers. We also wanted to cio joined the bouquet makingour people are placing an em- emphasizethatwearepartofa team at Kendal North. Rocio’s eagerness to learn, goodphasis on the care and han- system, where if we all communication skills and flexible attitude were appar-dling of our flowers in every work towards the same ent right away. Rocio was promoted to Quality Controlstep of the value chain. The goal, no competitor can clerk in January of 2006 where Rocio has continuedpurpose of this initial talk was compete with us. In the to demonstrate her strong detail (Continued on page 4)to ensure some basic knowl- second part of the talk weedge among all staff, such as: introduced the care andA Task That Grows SuccessContinued from page 1 dising presentation as com- Armando Alcaraz pared to our competitors. Monterey Bay Bouquet is pleased (Continued on page 3) to designate Armando Alcaraz Over the next several months, as this quarter’s outstanding we waited to hear what was employee. Armando is originallySignature Kroger rose case from selected and when would from Joyitas, a ranch in ColimaKendal North we start this new program. Mexico where he worked as When the news came it was a a farm worker. In 1998, he de-On March 20, 2013, Kroger great day for us and another cided to come to Watsonvillehad tasked Kendal and our competitor, but sad news California where he has beencompetitors to come up with for others that lost their en- ever since. Armando comesa new rose program. This was tire rose business altogether. from a family of nine brothers and three sisters. Mostan amazing opportunity for What we learned from this is of his brothers and sisters are in Colima Mexico. He hasour company to show off the we are an important partner a brother living in Washington, a sister in Greenfield andtalents of our group. As you to Kroger, but also we need some family in Tijuana. all know, our company is well to continue being that inno- (Continued on page 4)known for putting together vative group that raises thesome of latest and greatest bar in the industry. Rubén Devoratrends and ideas in the floral After all the processes and Kendal South is pleased toindustry. This task was no reviews of the product were designate Rubén Devora as thisexception either. We pre- done, we were ready to start quarter’s outstanding employee.sented five new rose bou- this new program June 9, Rubén began working at Kendalquet program ideas to 2014. This was a big launch Floral in 2010 during the Moth-Kroger and they were very for our company and Kroger. er’s Day holiday and continuedimpressed with not only our We did not disappoint with coming to work for several sea-product, but our merchan- the service we provided. We went out to every division our sons until he became a regular employee. Since then, he has been working as a Runner in the Don’t Forget to sign-up for: production area. Before joining Kendal, he performed different jobs and for many years he worked at a floralMaking Strides Against Breast Cancer Event company where he held different positions, he was a packer, an order puller and a delivery driver. Sunday, October 19, at 7am in Balboa Park Rubén was born in Zacatecas, Contact Martha Pina for details (Continued on page 4) Employee Newsletter | September 2014 Page 3

uaprltoeyree of the Sales PerspectiveContinued from page 3 Feast or Famine: Surviving the peaks and valleys of flower production.Rocio Continued...orientation skills and dedica- by Jeff Smalley | Florexpo Sales Directortion to her work. Her cowork-ers recognize her patience, As I am writing this little I remember is the phrase “this tooreliability and communication article, we are in shall pass”. Believe it or not, telling thisskills. She has also been in- another period of to yourself can keep your head fromstrumental assisting Human short flower sup- exploding!Resources performing new ply which we expe- 2. We are not alone: One key thing tohire orientations during the rience a few times keep in perspective is that typically whenholiday season. Congratula- every year. During we are experiencing significant producttions Rocio and thank you for these situations, shortages: It’s not just us, it’s global. Thisyour hard work. pressure can go takes some of the pressure off knowingArmando Continued... up and we can feel that everyone is in the same situation andHis first job was harvesting overwhelmed by is doing their best to deal with it.apples here in Watsonville the difficulty of filling orders and keeping 3. Share the wealth: It is often better tofor about five years. Then he customers happy. It doesn’t matter if you give several customers a portion of theworked for Natural Selection are a salesperson, buyer or in production, available flowers than to fill some ordersFood in San Juan Bautista in product shortages create challenges. 100% and not fill others at all.the wash line area for four Over the years, I have learned a few things All perishable commodities are affected byyears. After that time, he then that help me survive these periods without these types of situations and this is part ofstarted working for Monterey losing too much hair. (Lord knows I can’t what keeps the business interesting. WhileBay Bouquet in our Shipping afford to lose any more!) it can be frustrating, it gives us opportunityDepartment as a seasonal em- 1. The Zen Approach: I don’t know to show our ability to adapt and provideployee, were he then became much about eastern philosophy but what solutions better than our competitors.a regular employee in ourRunner Department. Thank Brightening Livesyou Armando for all your hardwork and dedication. After a showing, bouquetsRubén Continued... are donated to bring joythere and at a young age he for those in need.moved to live with a sisterin the state of Sinaloa, then Team members from New Haven Youthhe moved to Tijuana, Mexico and Family Services hold a few of theand right after he immigrat- bouquets that will be given to the fami-ed to the United States. He lies of the New Haven program.comes from a large family as Volunteers from Community Resource Centerhe has 4 sisters and 3 broth- and the San Diego Cancer Center pose by a truckers. In Mexico, his family was full of beautiful donated Kendal bouquets.engaged in the trades of agri-culture and the care of cattle,at a young age he also helpedwith farm work, he sharedthat he liked planting oats asthe process was simple and itgrew in abundance.Congratulations Rubén andthank you for all your hardwork.Page 4 Employee Newsletter | September 2014