Month 8 – March 2013

March was yet again another busy month. First, I’d like to share a personal accomplishment. I’ve been an avid lifter of weights since high school. I began as a frail kid, but in the past nine years I have managed to add fifty pounds to my frame and triple most of my lifts. I was talking to Dave, one of our truck drivers at Hajoca Lansdale, who knew I was quite strong for my size; he suggested that I compete in the Pennsylvania State Powerlifting Championships sanctioned by the IPA (International Powerlifting Association). Dave is a former IPA record holder, and continues to coach many people in the sport of powerlifting.

In mid-February, Dave took me to the YMCA where he works and went over the rules and did some last minute technique adjustments to help me prepare for the competition. I only had two weeks to train for the event, which took place on March 2nd, but I had essentially been training for this since the first day I picked up weights. Needless to say, March 2nd came and I drove to the York Barbell Co. in York, PA to compete. Despite that I only completed 260 lbs. on the bench press, I managed 400 lbs. on the squat and surpassed 500 lbs. on the deadlift. The result? I finished first place in the RAW 181 lb. weight class division! (RAW means that assistive equipment is disallowed.)

Back to work topics… I organized a counter day for A.O. Smith water heaters. Carol (our local representative) gave me informational flyers, and I encouraged our customers to stop by our counter on March 11th. We rented a hot dog roller and provided lunch to those who showed up at our store. Carol was able to speak to our customers about new water heater models and other benefits and perks that A.O. Smith offered contractors. Counter days are mutually beneficial for the vendor, the distributor (us!), and contractors. It is a great way to build relationships with vendors. There are many great brands of water heaters; I know other Hajoca owned branches that do more business with other manufacturers such as Bradford White or Rheem. It all depends on which reps you maintain strong relationships with.

I have another counter day prepared for next month with T&S Brass. I am definitely looking forward to making that a success as well.

My first annual inventory experience with Hajoca happened on the 21st and 22nd of March. I was sent to assist the staff at our Weinstein Supply branch in Allentown, PA. We spent two days counting every item in their inventory. Although counting thousands upon thousands of items sounds like a monumental task, everything was very well prepared and organized. My specific role was to double-check and verify the counts, as well as make manual corrections on the counting sheets. The entire process did remind me somewhat of the warehouse relocation we did in Iowa several months ago, but this was definitely easier because we did not have to physically move or enter bin locations for every item.

Well, that highlights my most exciting moments of March. There is much coming up in April which I will share with you all soon!