What a difference a year makes. The stock market is up, housing market is strengthening, restaurants are busy,
shopping malls are packed and the Yankees are in first place. Well, some things never change. One thing that does
change is that we are all getting older, especially me. While I am still trying to digest how I got there, I recently celebrated my 50th birthday. My wife and children threw me a surprise party which was a blast. As I mentioned to those present that evening, the part about getting older doesn’t bother me, what bothers me is knowing  that I have less time to accomplish the things I wish to in my life. It has made me reflect a great deal on my life some of which I would like to share with you.

Over the years, I have come to volunteer my time to speak to young people about my experiences as a business owner, a father, and as a person living in the local community. Whether they are from local high schools, colleges, Young Business Leaders of America, School Honor Society’s, Math Clubs, church groups, whatever, I am open to meet with them and impart any crumbs of knowledge which may help them on their journey. I always feel I get more from them than they get from me as their enthusiasm for life and energy is just so contagious that I am ready to jump out of my skin by the time I leave. I am amazed how much smarter and more aware young people are today. Everything is new to them and they have so much hope and energy for life. They have this incredible desire to see and experience the world so much more than I ever did. I look into their faces and I see that they are so excited about going out into the world and developing their lives. They are so full of hope and belief that they can make a difference.

Someone asked me after one of the meetings what it was like to be with these students. I told them about how much energy I got from just being around them and how pumped up I am always afterwards. This person responded “when you are young you believe you can change anything. They will learn soon enough once they are battered and bruised a few times like we were and become weathered by the years that they can’t and will just accept things for the way they are.”

As I reflect I am sad to think that most people feel that way. People feel there is no hope of making a difference as “you can’t fight city hall”. People think Washington is corrupt or won’t take the necessary actions to help the people of this country improve their lives as they are only thinking about themselves, special interests, and getting reelected. People think businesses are like vampires, sucking the blood of their employees and customers until there is nothing left so as to feed their greed. People listen to and watch the news where they are horrified by the latest tragedy or natural disaster. Because of this, most people watch the years go by beaten down and paralyzed to try to make a change.

I myself have felt this way at times but I refuse to live this way. As I reflect on my past 50 years of life and more importantly my future and whatever time I have left, I cannot and will not accept this attitude nor should you. Let’s live our lives a little like a 16 year old or like as my father used to describe “bright eyed and bushy tailed”. Let’s dream like we used to and think the impossible is possible as maybe it just might be. Let’s look at the wonderful things we have in our lives and cherish those we have around us. Let’s help those less fortunate if we are in a position to and make a difference in the world like we dreamed we could when we were young. Let’s look at the bright side of things and dwell on the positive and make this contagious. Let’s make a difference in as many lives as we can while we can and impart a positive exciting can-do attitude on all we come in touch with. Let’s make this world a little better when we leave it than it was when we found it. As when our journey’s are done, wouldn’t it be great to say YIPPPEEE, I made a difference. That’s my goal and I hope the same for you. So all together “ YIPPPEEE!, let’s make a difference”.

Vigon Holiday Party Was Fun for All

The extended Vigon family came together this past holiday season for a Holiday Party filled with good cheer, good food, and of course
lots of fun stuff for the kids including a surprise visit from Santa Claus.  All of this took place at the Stroudsmoor, a local country inn and resort.  The holiday party is always a wonderful time for all employees and their families to share the wonders of the season with one another.

Steve and Sharon Somers, our gracious hosts.

Bob & Patti Conlon enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Chloe Passamonte & Rocco Soltis became good friends.

Jennifer Passamonte and some of the Vigon extended family before Santa arrived.

Scan Gun Program Updated

As always, the IT Team has been extremely busy developing, updating, and improving the myriad of systems that allow Vigon to operate as efficiently as we do.  Most recently the team has implemented an updated scan gun program.  The benefits of this update include increased mobility and added functionality from the scan gun eliminating the need for the operator to go to the computer for his required activity.

The team has also improved operations in the software designing the computerized process to be more in line with the physical process.  This allows the operator the ability to generate in-process samples through the scan gun, as well as track work orders at the batch level.  This improvement not only assists the operators with work orders in process, but it also provides improved recording of information providing more useful historical data and metrics.

QC Lab Goes Paperless

Our IT Team has also been busy with the QC Lab establishing a system that electronically files all GC and Batch Analysis data.  Considering that it is standard to maintain the past two years’ plus the current year’s data, we are talking about a lot of data, and in the past, a lot of printed reports.  Now that everything is filed electronically, we were able to eliminate three large file cabinets in the lab providing additional working space, but more importantly, everyone now has immediate and easy access to this data via their desktop.

Big ASS Fan Installed in Distribution Center

We recently installed a Big ASS Fan (yes that is really the name of it) in our Distribution Center.  This fan was installed in order to help improve air circulation as well as to reduce energy consumption.  The 20 foot diameter fan is one of the largest and strongest industrial ceiling fans available and it provides our logistics team with the most reliable and efficient industrial air movement possible for the distribution center

The Big Ass Fan has a 20 foot diameter.

The Vigon logistics team checking out the new Big ASS Fan

Yipppeee Fun Facts

We all have those things that we have done in our lives that many of those that we work with may be surprised about (in a good way), however they are things that give others insight into who we are.  So to help you get to know some of the Yipppeee! Team a little better, here are a few fun facts about some of us

"I played the cornet for the marching band when I was in high school".

"I tried out for a Woman's Football (yes, tackle, full gear) and I made it onto the team (IWFL, NY Sharks) in 2003".

 "I was the mascot for our high school football team, I wore leather pants and jacket with tassels and a coon skin hat with a tail.  I would shoot blank rounds from a musket after we scored and after the game".

"I marched in the 1976 bicentennial parade in Stroudsburg with the Monroe County bookmobile dressed as one of the domino twins. My twin brother Jerry was the other domino".

"I worked for two different Ralph Nader organizations- one in Colorado and the other in Philadelphia, and have met him on several occasions".

 "Between league and practice I have bowled 10 games where I have scored a 296 or better". (300 is perfect game).

 "While working as a doorman in high school I went to park a Fleetwood Cadillac and instead slammed it into a wall".

"In a previous life I operated a manure spreader on a black angus beef farm". (Some things never change).

"I was elected President of FHA (Future Homemakers of America) all four years in high school".

Brad Toro

One of the key messages that we always try to promote to our customers is that we are not only a strategic partner with many of the global flavor and fragrance ingredient manufactures but we are also a basic manufacturer ourselves. And when we need to manufacture a product, we turn to our skilled and dedicated production team, of which Brad Toro is a key member. 

Brad, a Production Specialist here at Vigon, started with us five years ago on second shift.  After four years working on second, Brad just recently began working first shift and he quickly began to like it.  “Second shift was great when I was younger, but now that I am married, this suits me much better” said Brad.

As Production Specialist, Brad is busy throughout the day blending and packing out many of the thousands of materials that Vigon offers.  Brad is also one of our internal GMP inspectors helping to make sure that we consistently meet the GMP requirements under which we operate.

When Brad is not working here at Vigon he is spending time with his wife Erica snowboarding (they met while they both were working at the local ski area Camelback), taking their two Beagles for long walks, or going to concerts in Philadelphia.  Brad and Erica also love to travel and are planning a big trip this summer to Italy where they will be touring Rome, Venice, and other Italian cities!  Brad is also a big sports fan so when he can find the time, he loves following his Giants, Yankees, Rangers, and Knicks (you see, Brad is originally from New Jersey not Pennsylvania)!

When asked what he likes most about working at Vigon, Brad answered “the people, I work with a great group of guys which makes the day go fast and makes it fun.  We like to work hard, but we also like to have fun when we work, it’s a great place to work”.  Brad added “oh, and the commute is pretty good too”.

Service Milestones

Since the previous issue of  What's in the Air? and through April  2010, the following team members will reach milestones in their careers with Vigon.

Employee News:

New Hires

We have a few new faces here at Vigon.  We would like to introduce you to the newest members of the team.

William Burkett
Maintenance Mechanic

Steve Somers Jr.
Materials Management Supervisor

Melody Seas
Customer Service Representative

Vigon International, Inc located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania is a privately owned ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturer and supplier of high quality flavors, fragrances and ingredients. The company also develops and maintains unique strategic partnerships with larger ingredient suppliers providing ingredients and servicing customers in select flavor and fragrance market segments. Vigon?s products encompass over 1,800 items including essential oils, oleoresins, botanical extracts, and natural and synthetic aroma chemicals. The company's comprehensive manufacturing capabilities coupled with their ability to successfully partner with major multinational flavor and fragrance houses has firmly established Vigon as one of the most progressive companies in the industry. If you're interested in partnering with a flavor and fragrance company that is focused on your success, contact us at:

Tel:1-877-VIGON-39

Fax:1-877-VIGON-14

E-Mail:sales@vigoninternational.com

Web Site:www.vigoninternational.com