Issue 101 August 18, 2016

August 2016

The Cost of Carelessness As we are heading into the latter half of the year, many of you may be wondering how we are

doing financially. The answer is a resounding “Awesome!” Through July, we were way ahead

in profits from where we were at the same time in 2015. This is mostly due to 100% lower

production costs. Our year-to-date 2016 sales are just about even with our year-to-date 2015

sales. Congratulations to our production team on a job well done. You all deserve a big pat on

the back.

So, why is this article entitled “The Cost of Carelessness?” Well, the fact of the matter is that

we could have reported, at the very least, $350 thousand dollars or more in profits than we have

this year were it not for the careless actions of a third party. As you are all probably aware, we

were forced to cut a week’s production due to planned maintenance on the pipeline that provides

gas to Tyler Pipe. We incurred $250 thousand dollars of idle plant costs - costs incurred by the plant regardless of whether we

produce 1,500 tons or absolutely nothing. Currently, the value of our products exceeds the costs of producing them, so there

went another $100 thousand dollars down the drain. If you consider the profit that could have been realized from the

production we didn’t get to do, another $400 thousand dollars (or more) was lost.

The worst part of all of this is that we could have avoided these losses if the pipeline owners had had the courtesy to inform

us that they had changed their plans, and the work was not going to be done. By the time we were aware that the work was not

being done, it was too late for us to resume production the second week of July. So, what is the cost of carelessness? To put it

nicely - a whole heckuva lot.

This is a great example of how our actions have far-reaching consequences, often times to people and/or businesses that we

do not even know. I hope you will all take this to heart and consider how your actions in the future may affect others, good or

bad. I know that I certainly will. Peace and good will to all…

Heath Huffstetter, Controller

On Saturday, July the 30th, Tyler Pipe had over thirty Team Members and family volunteers to

assist the East Texas Food Bank. These volunteers were asked to process and package food that will be

distributed to deserving individuals in the Smith County area. Sharlette Jones, Production Coordinator

for the ETFB wrote, “Thank you so much for coming to volunteer! I had so much fun working with the

Tyler Pipe group. The totals for the day were 6 pallets of Back Packs which constituted 7,000 meals, 3

pallets of Senior Boxes which constitutes 3,600 meals and processing the CVS Load with 8 pallets and

held 3,333 meals.” Sharlette said that the total meal count for the day was 13,933 and follow with, “I

don’t believe we have ever had one group accomplish so much in such a short amount of time! She

also said, “We use Tyler Pipe as our example whenever we’re promoting Corporate partnership and

corporate volunteers. Tyler Pipe has been a corporate volunteer for many years and we brag on Tyler

Pipe whenever we’re trying to promote other companies to do the same. Just let me know when you

want to come back and I will clear my schedule!”

The ETFB provides food for over 200 partner agencies in an effort to feed children, seniors and the

working poor throughout 26 counties in East Texas.

Issue 101 August 18, 2016

Tickets are now available in Human Resources through Friday,

September the 2nd. Gates open at 10:00am and close at

3:00pm. Don’t miss out on the fun, the games and the water

slides. Fun for all ages!

Tyler Pipe Management team would like to invite you and up to three (3) guests to come spend a day of fun & relaxation at Splash Kingdom Water Park in Canton, TX. (The waterpark is located off I-20 in Canton)

This family event is management’s way of saying “Thank You” for all your hard work and dedication you have put forth through the past year.

To mark this annual event, we will also provide waterproof cell phone bags (maximum of 2 per family for those attending) on a first come first serve basis.

Each team member is eligible to receive up to 4 wristbands; additional waterpark bands may be purchased from our HR Department at a cost of $20 per person. A catered lunch of Hot Dogs and Hamburgers with chips and a drink will be provided; Snow Cones will be available from 10am - 2:30pm.

Other activities will include Bingo for those interested.

All team members attending will be required to sign a Liability Release Form for themselves and any guests under 18 years of age. Guests over 18 will need to sign a separate form.

Issue 101 August 18, 2016

Remarkable – R-E-M-A-R-K-A-B-L-E ~ An adjective that can be used to

describe an individual or group that have surpassed expectations to

accomplish a goal or milestone. On Tuesday, 08/02/2016 Tyler Pipe along

with 18 other large employers in Tyler, joined together to show support

and raise money for the Literacy Council by attending a city wide spelling

bee. Each company selects two representatives who do their dead level

best to spell the words that are provided correctly. Not an easy feat!

You will be happy to know that our Team made up of Gwen Jackson &

Heath Huffstetter cleared most of the pack and made it to the fourth of

six rounds. The word that tripped them up was CYNOSURE. Not only

did I not know how to spell it but it was difficult for the moderator to pro-

nounce. I can’t imagine having to spell a difficult word while up on a stage with 500 people watching me. I will say

that the annual spelling bee was a blast and we helped raise over $61,000 to assist the Literacy Council. Hats off

again to Gwen Jackson and Heath Huffstetter for their REMARKABLE performance. If you would like to learn

more about the Literacy Council you may visit http://lcotyler.org/

Gwen Jackson & Heath Huffstetter

Spellers Extraordinaire

The forecast for this week had five of the seven days above the 100 degree mark. There is nothing like an East Texas summer unless it is East Texas Watermelon. On Tuesday, July 26th Tyler Pipe made July watermelon month again and celebrated summer with the third annual watermelon day. Once again Tyler Pipe contracted with a local farmer to bring in enough watermelons for an “all you can eat” feast. It was a wonderful sight seeing a pickup load of watermelons being delivered. Imagine having all you can eat, delicious, juicy watermelon slices cut into cubes two to three inch wide. The gentleman serving was even cutting the rinds off the meat. It was a hit with our Team Members! I noticed that in preparation for the event that there were folks that brought out lime salt and pickle juice. It was another ringer this year so I am sure that we will see it back again next year. This is just another event brought to you by Management to say “Thank You” for making Tyler

Pipe the Nations leader in cast iron soil pipe.

Issue 101 August 18, 2016

Lance Lyle ~ 1

John Godwin ~ 3

Rayford Jackson ~ 8

Clifton Miles ~ 9

Larry Smith ~ 9

Juan Sandoval ~ 12

Ira Wilson ~ 12

James Rose ~ 13

Roberto Delgado ~ 14

Ricky McDonald ~ 15

Ted Sweetman ~ 15

Ray Hunt ~ 16

Darren Wood ~ 17

Terry Gilley ~ 19

Margaret Cooks ~ 19

Laura Alvey ~ 20

Dwan Ford ~ 22

Summer Werner ~ 23

Robert Davis ~ 24

Todd Hill ~ 25

Jonathan Seaton ~ 29

Conrado Gaona ~ 29

Thurman Duncan ~ 30

“Did You Know” ~ Keep your heart healthy to avoid congestive heart failure

Your heart is the pump that makes your blood flow. If it pumps poorly, your body

doesn’t get the nutrients and oxygen that it needs, and fluid builds up in your lungs, says

UT Health Northeast cardiologist Sam Daya, MD. If you have a weak heart, you can

develop congestive heart failure. That’s a contributing factor to one in nine deaths in the

United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Congestive heart failure has many causes: heart attacks, blockages that cut the blood

supply to the heart, diabetes, and heart valve problems. People with high blood pressure

also can develop it. “You may feel very fatigued after normal activities, or just not feel

right. You may wake up at night and be short of breath. As it worsens, you may notice

swelling in your feet, abdomen, and arms – even in your face,” Dr. Daya says.

Because symptoms mirror those of other illnesses, a physician has to know the

patient’s medical history and conduct a physical exam and several tests before

diagnosing it. If you have heart disease, blocked blood vessels, high blood pressure, or

diabetes, your risk is higher. Your risk also increases as you age.

The first treatment is to drain excess fluid by taking diuretics, sometimes called

“water pills.” After you feel better, your doctor can determine what’s causing your heart

to fail. A blocked blood vessel can be reopened and a stent inserted. Your diabetes can

be better controlled. Permanent heart damage is difficult to reverse, but treatments can

prevent weak hearts from getting weaker.

“The earlier we detect congestive heart failure, the better we can control it,” Dr.

Daya says. Lifestyle changes – quitting smoking; eating a healthy, low-salt diet; getting

more physical activity; and losing weight – can help prevent it. So if you experience

shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling in your feet, don’t wait. See your doctor now.

Just a reminder! For those of you that sign up for the

Zumba class, we will meet on

Friday, August 19 from 4 to 5pm

in the Administrative office building.

Be prepared to sweat and have fun!

Mark your calendar because Sno-Cone day is on it’s

way. Once again Ross Caldwell is going to bring his

sno-cone machine out to Tyler Pipe so we can crush

up a little ice and create a refreshing snack that can’t be

beaten on a hot summer day!

Wednesday August 17th

10 am - 2 pm & 8 pm - 9 pm

NP Breakroom.