In This Issue
ON THE MOVE
FROM THE FIELD
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
On The Move
On The Move
Business Update
OnTrac in Redlands, California.
Elevating Our Perspective
You may have noticed a welcoming invitation in the airwaves at SilMan lately, calling us to higher performance levels and teamwork. Our expanding horizon of new opportunities is the clearest sign of the times.
For instance, interest from our favorite fulfillment provider remains strong and is gaining momentum from both the MHE Team and the Specialty Trades Group.
David and Tom hit the road to visit the Daifuku and Vanderlande headquarters in September, discussing ways in which our organizations can complement one another. Whether collaborating about new ways to work together or hardware purchases, their talks focused on creating new pathways to growth.
And OnTrac opened its Redlands and Carlsbad facilities for SilMan to capture photos and video of SilMan’s parcel solutions. Case studies and promotional videos created from the visit will be released later this year and showcased at the MODEX tradeshow in April 2026. The visit also allowed David to reconnect with managers at the facilities and inspect the installed systems. Watch an overhead drone video of the Redlands system.
Additional news from the BizDev team.
From The Field
Team Member Report
On-site at the Port of Oakland (ARFF) with Austin Hill, Haku Rowell, Russel McIntyre, Daryl Mortenson, and Silas Graves.
Project Updates
The ARFF Project (Will Masinas)
What started as a challenging project quickly became a defining moment for our team.
The ARFF (Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting) project wasn’t simple. It pushed us into unfamiliar territory, requiring us to learn the ins and outs of the Port’s emergency response systems, specifically the fueling requirements and operational needs of the ARFF station. Along the way, we encountered roadblocks that tested our patience and problem-solving skills. But we didn’t shy away. Instead, we leaned in.
Through persistence and teamwork, we navigated the technical challenges, built strong working relationships with the Port’s engineering team, and brought the project to a successful close. What could have been just another deliverable turned into a real opportunity for growth, not just for the individuals involved, but for our company as a whole.
The payoff? More than $12 million in On-Call contracts awarded by the Port, with another $5 million in bid opportunities already on the table. Even more exciting is what lies ahead: new opportunities to work with other Port Authorities along the Coast, and potential collaborations with Port-related services like Argus, Trapak, and EverPort.
This project was more than just a job; it was a big step forward for all of us. Huge thanks to the entire team for making it happen.
Air Knife Program (John Burns)
The growing interest in the Air Knife solution persists. In fact, we are currently working with Steve Emahiser and David Rebata to create branded promotional materials.
Mr. Burns in his native environment.
Community Spotlight
Meet Danielle Calderon
In 2018, SilMan had the good fortune of adding Mrs. Calderon to the team.
Danielle Calderon plays the unique role as “favorite team member” one out of every seven days, as our banks alert us of a new deposit. Additionally, she occupies a special space as the unofficial “Queen of Fun” as part of the Fun Committee.
She also demonstrates the empathetic heart of our team, constantly volunteering to support events, such as the White Elephant Gift exchange, and paving the path for our ongoing relationship with Building Futures, a San Leandro women’s housing resource.
You could say that Danielle was raised in “Nor-SoCal,” having migrated several times during her youth. In fact, she spent her high school years living down the street from the SilMan office. Even as she moved into adulthood and started her family, she had work and training opportunities at both ends of the state.
Danielle dabbled in a medical assistant program before landing in payroll, which she claims she does not understand. “I’m not sure how this happened,” she laughed, “I don’t even like numbers!”
Today, she is a mom to two adult daughters, a 15-year-old son and future driver, a six-year-old granddaughter, and a 4-year old fur baby name Rocky. She also travels regularly to Washington for visits with her family in the Northwest.
She remarried in 2024 and enjoys spending time with her energetic family, attending concerts, cooking, and going on motorcycle club rides with her husband on weekends.
What I love about SilMan:
“I love the opportunity for growth, both professionally and personally. The freedom to be creative and innovative. I am constantly learning and being challenged. My knowledge and experience is respected. The flexibility of that work-life balance. Our Leaders lead by example, demonstrating trust and effective communication, while providing support and direction. No two days are the same, so it keeps me on my toes!”
-Danielle
Wes Stapps on Day One with Scott.
Dan Campbell on Day One with Tommy.
Mousa Katwan on Day One with Tom.
Steve and David at OnTrac Carlsbad.
Progress in Portland.
Progress in Portland.
Field Operation Leaders Conference in Session. More news to follow!
Team SilMan sighted in the wild.
Uncrating & Unpacking Safety
With the volume of deliveries we receive on nearly every project, let’s take a few moments to go over some safety tips surrounding Uncrating and Unpackaging.
Once an item is removed from a delivery truck and safely staged in the laydown area, our team is ready to unbox, uncrate, or unpackage. During these related tasks, we need to be mindful, as someone could easily injure themselves.
Develop a Plan to identify every possible hazard we may face, as well as how to prevent any potential injuries during the process.
Inspect the load for damages, load securement, and potential hazards before unpackaging.
Set up a Safe Zone by using barricade tape to warn others and keep unauthorized personnel out of harm’s way.
Common Hazards and Prevention Methods
Those directly involved in these tasks must be mindful of the most common hazards and their prevention methods.
Many common hazards present themselves when handling products, as well as when unpackaging and uncrating them. These hazards can often be missed during project safety planning. Following these safe practices and points of awareness will support filling this much-needed gap.
Team Member Jams,
curated by the Safety Team
Jonathan King
South of Sanity by Zach Top
Jonathan is part of our bustling new parts and service team. His favorite pastime is spending time with his wife and two-year-old daughter; otherwise, he can be found hunting and enjoying the outdoors.
Mr. King is a fan of 80s-90s country music, so it was natural for him to embrace Zach Top. “He has mastered the traditional country sound, and ‘South of Sanity’ is my current favorite song.”
This one ought to put a few tears in your beer…
Foundations
Reflections On The Way We Work & Connect
Culture In Motion: Growing Together with Purpose
We don’t just work—we evolve. Our journey of Continuous Improvement and Growth is more than a business strategy; it’s a shared commitment to building a Community of Value. As we move forward together, we embrace the challenges that come with growth and transform them into opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and personal development. Culture is the Heartbeat of our Organization.
Culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the living, breathing essence of who we are. It’s reflected in our core values. It’s how we communicate, solve problems, and support one another. It’s the leadership styles we adopt, the work environments we create, and the rituals and symbols that reinforce our shared identity.
As Albert Murray once said, “Culture is an intersection of people and life itself.” At SilMan, our culture is our brand—and our brand thrives on the foundation of shared value.
We believe in a Culture in Motion—a dynamic, evolving system that adapts to change and aligns with our shared goals. This means:
- Adaptability: Embracing change and evolving.
- Intentionality: Actively shaping our culture through thoughtful decisions.
- Feedback Loops: Listening to Our Team, Clients, and Stakeholders.
- Strategic Alignment: Ensuring culture supports innovation and transformation.
- Learning: Encouraging experimentation, reflection, and growth.
As we continue this journey together, let’s ask ourselves:
- Are we managing our growth with culture in mind?
- Are we leveraging the diverse expertise within our team?
- Are we showing up with intention, even when no one is watching?
Culture is personal. Culture is evolving. Culture is US.
Let’s continue to evolve and grow together with purpose, building a legacy of excellence, innovation, and shared success.
“Let’s Get to Work”
UNDER ONE ROOF
Please direct your questions, comments or ideas for future stories to newsletter@silmanindustries.com
SilMan Industries is committed to Creating a New Kind of Industrial Experience that delivers the power of multiple specialized service groups in a single touch. Our inviting, collaborative culture fuels this vision and is reflected in the team’s slogan, “Let’s Get to Work”
