CJ Logistics knows safety is the most important part of any supply chain operation. Unsafe workplaces put employees and others at risk, which is why we take it so seriously across our entire network.
In addition to all of the safety protocols and processes we have implemented across our operations, CJ Logistics has also promoted an annual “Summer of Safety” initiative in its warehouses for many years. This program has long been a fun way to spread awareness and education of best practices for employees to follow as they go about their work.
Throughout the Summer of Safety warehouses across the CJ Logistics network hold forklift events, where employees compete and show off the skills they have honed while serving our customers. Winners of these regional contests then proceed to the next stage: CJ Logistics’ third annual national forklift skills competition, which was held on September 17 at our warehouse in Elwood, Illinois.
This year’s participants included John Maldonado, Tracy Gravely, Steven Gentilquore, Lawrence Robinson, Misael Fierro, Mike Vidal, Isaiah Rodriguez, Steve Kistler, Beth Melvin, Seneca Larry, Tyrell Martin, and Ben Buss.
Click here to watch highlights from the event.
The finals included three different categories: standup, sitdown, and electric pallet jacks. Participants used their forklifts to complete challenges such as maneuvering through cone obstacles, unstacking and re-stacking pallets, and shooting basketballs into bins and knocking over bowling pins. The competitors were judged on both their time and accuracy within this course.
Isaiah Rodriguez, who finished in second place last year, was crowned as champion in this year’s standup category. Steve Kistler defended his title from 2024 as winner of the sitdown category and also reigned supreme in the electric pallet jack competition.
Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists, and a sincere thank you to every CJ Logistics employee who makes safety a priority every day they come to work.
