Graham Bennett, President
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 Once in a Lifetime ...
We, as a country, are experiencing political and especially economic hard
times that we most likely will not see again in our lifetime and hopefully our
grandchildren’s lifetime. It has shaken our economy to the core and
has us asking questions. Let me address the ones that I have been asked
Q. Are Quality Oil Company and Reliable Tank Line okay? So many old
line traditional companies are in trouble – what about us?
A. We are okay, mainly because we are debt free, which is almost unheard
of these days. No one can knock on our doors and make us do something
we do not want to do. We are growing in all areas of our business
with proven returns and avoiding “get rich” risky lines of business.
Q. Is the 401(k) retirement fund okay?
A. Yes. The Quality Oil Company 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan is in a
separate trust account and is separate from the Wachovia Bank balance
sheet. It is safe!!
Q. I hear other companies are laying off a good percentage of their workers and
cutting benefits. What about Quality Oil?
A. We are proud of our work force. It is our #1 advantage and is needed to deliver
our “Quality Service.” We are more committed now than ever with our 401(k)
and retirement plans (top 1% of top ranked companies), as it is our motivation to
have us all perform as “owner operators” and strive for “operational excellence.”
If we are to remain competitive and to be the “best at what we choose to do,” our
challenges ahead are very clear. We have to become even more “operationally excellent”
minded and find ways to eliminate waste and be more efficient. As you know,
every division is working on this challenge. The realities are that the rest of 2008 and
most likely 2009 will be tough as the country begins to recover. Our profit sharing contributions
will come from cost savings and efficiencies more so than from an increase
in sales or margins. We are all bound together by our “Profit Sharing.” You have the
right and the obligation to challenge any wastes.
Because of our financial position, sometimes our best purchases have come in tough
times. We will be on the look out for such opportunities. My door is always open and I
welcome any questions or concerns. This is your company and you need to feel safe,
secure, and proud to be here. We are proud of you.
— Graham Bennett
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Empower and Motivate
Employees to be the Best
... a personal ambition of Andy Sayles, Sr. VP of Quality Plus locations.
Andy started managing a Quality Mart store in 1980 while still
in college at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Andy
moved to Winston-Salem shortly after graduation. He now oversees
the operations of the Quality Plus (gas houses) and the Service
Stations for all of Quality Oil.
When asked what he would like everyone to know about QOC,
Andy said, “During the years, I’ve seen a lot of changes with the
company; but two things that never change are the Quality of people
associated with QOC, and the work ethic of our employees. QOC
is a great company, and if you work hard, the company will take
care of you.”
We salute you, Andy, for the 28 years you have helped make Quality a terrific company.
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Take me out to the ballgame ... Way to go, Oilers!
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Meet the Oilers: (back, l-r) Shawn Hackett, Terri Yountz, Joshua McClure, Daniel Walser, Ricky Dull, Travis Dull, Candy Michaels, Coach Norm Vaden; (middle, l-r) Eric Riley, Jennifer Helsley, Nicole Spillman, Whitney Clifton, Matthew Smitherman, Marty Smitherman, Deana Woods; (front) Heather Shelton, Coach John Hackett. |
Once again the Quality Oilers softball team had a great season, making it to the playoffs and exciting all their diehard
fans! Although first place was just out of reach, the
team came together with our usual Quality Oil spirit to take
second place in the Fall Adult Co-Ed Softball League.
What an exciting season – midway through the schedule,
we had player injuries, but our coaches and players
pulled together to keep playing and winning.
Most games are played midweek at Washington Park,
and we are always looking for recruits to add to our roster
and a fan-base to cheer us on. Contact Norm Vaden
(336-733-1596) or John Hackett (336-721-9535) for more
information about next season.
Way to go Oilers!
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2008 HeartWalk is a Heartwarming Success!
Quality Oil company would like to thank each and every one of you for supporting our 2008 American
HeartWalk campaign. We had one of the largest teams
of walkers at the event.
It was very “Heartwarming” to see such a great
turnout of not only our remarkable employees but
family and friends as well. Thank you for caring
enough to bear the brunt of a chilly fall morning to
raise awareness of such a devastating health issue that
affects so many in our community.
For your caring, please accept our sincere thanks.
We look forward to seeing you all next year.
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Now SHE’s a woman with a lot of HEART!
Congratulations to Robin Reed,
Quality Mart #29 in Winston-Salem.
Robin collected more than $600 in donations
for the Heart Association.
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United Way Campaign Sets Records
We have wrapped up our 2008 United Way
Campaign…WOW! what a great response we received.
Thanks to all who came and participated in the campaign
meetings, learning more about United Way and the different
ways United Way helps our community.
Only by your contributions can the work of United
Way go on. With that said, the total contributions, made
by you, totaled $130,000 this year. This is an increase of
$3,500 over last year. One of our goals this year was to
have 45 “Caring Share” participants, and we have a total
of 50, which is up from 41 last year! This spirit of giving
is a true example of generosity that will be felt throughout
our community this year.
THANKS TO ALL WHO GAVE!
- United Way Committee |
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Wow! Our Core Ideology is alive and well.
 Recently, I received a call from a retired doctor and here is what he told me: His wife, who is 80+ in years, left their home in Linville, N.C. to go shopping. She arrived in
Marion at our Quality Plus facility. That, I know, is not so remarkable ... but the story
gets better.
Danny and Elizabeth Ledford, who manage the facility, observed that the
lady was acting a bit confused as she attempted to
fill her car with gasoline. When they spoke to her, she
still seemed somewhat disoriented and she asked for
directions back home.
Danny and Elizabeth were so concerned for her that they watched which direction she took as she headed back onto
the highway. Sure enough, she turned in the wrong direction to get home.
Danny got in his car, flagged her down, and told her to turn around because she was going the wrong way. Danny
and Elizabeth drove her back to her home, 30 minutes away, to a waiting family that was in tears with worry over the
missing wife and mother. The husband told me, “I can’t put in words how grateful we are for such caring people.”
Treat others as we would like to be treated was alive and well that day with Danny and Elizabeth. I am proud of you
both for going beyond the call of duty.
-- Graham Bennett
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Use Space Heater for
Warmth ... and Safety
 Space heaters are used efficiently to
heat a cold or drafty space during
late fall and winter. Even though
they do not have an open flame, they can cause fires if not
used correctly. Here are several suggestions for using your
space heater safely:
• Choose a heater with a guard around the heating element.
• Follow instructions for placing heater a safe distance away
from other objects.
• Do not store flammable liquids nearby.
• Use a heater certified by a nationally recognized testing
laboratory.
• Buy the correct size for the area you want to heat and be
sure there is proper ventilation.
• Do not leave the heater unattended.
• Don’t use the heater to dry clothes or thaw pipes.
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Spirit of Pride Winner, Kim Hall, has “Hamptonality”
Kim Hall was the September Spirit of Pride winner. She was nominated by Mylia Belton for going
above and beyond the call of duty every day. Kim always surprises her co-workers with treats and small
gifts for everyone on special occasions or holidays, and recently, she went
far beyond the call of duty to help her friend and co-worker, Mylia.
Back in April, Mylia’s car was totaled in a car accident. Kim loaned
Mylia her vehicle so she could still get to work. Two weeks later, Mylia
was rear-ended while driving Kim’s car. Kim was extremely concerned
about Mylia and was there holding her hand in the emergency room. She
knew Mylia was in a lot of pain and didn’t want to leave her alone.
Following the accident, Kim made sure Mylia’s family knew where she
was and that she was all right.
Mylia is very grateful to Kim for all she did for her. She said Kim is
a wonderful co-worker and an amazing friend. Mylia felt she should be
recognized as a shining example of Hamptonality.
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Profile in Excellence
 Congratulations to Dennis Harris, proprietor at
Oldtown Shell, for receiving his five-year anniversary
plaque presented by Quality Oil Company.
Dennis started his automotive repair career at the
Mineral Springs Gulf station when he was thirteen years
old and later moved to Oldtown Shell as a lead technician
for partners Brett Ross and Mike Poole. There he finetuned
his expertise and learned great customer service.
In 2003, Dennis became the Dealer at Oldtown Shell
and growth at the location has been nothing but fantastic.
Dennis employs four full time ASE-certified techs, an
inspection/lube expert, and his sister Vera Blakely, the
driving force for the c-store. Asked about his scope of auto
repair, he replied, “If it’s between the bumpers, gas or
diesel, we can repair it correctly the first time.” The key to
Dennis’s success has been providing “honest, reliable
repairs and treating customers with absolutely the best
service available anywhere.”
Thank you, Dennis Harris, from all of us at Quality Oil. We all think you are one great partner!
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QOC Hometown Heroes Travel to Texas after Ike
Jasper Harper (left) and Tommy Hall gave a week of
their time to travel to Houston, Texas shortly after
Hurricane Ike blazed a trail of destruction along much of
the state’s coastline. They left Quality Oil on September
14 and returned on September 20. Both drove tankers --
one hauling gasoline and the other diesel.
They followed a convoy of Progress Energy trucks,
providing fuel while the trucks repaired the many downed
power lines and restored power to thousands of families. |
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Kids Love “Touch A Truck” Day
Danny Stroud and his Reliable
Tank Line big rig added a lot of
excitement for local kids who
turned out for the “Touch A Truck”
event at the Winston-Salem
Children’s Museum in October.
Boys and girls had a hands-on
experience they won’t soon forget. |
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Goblins, ghouls and interesting characters made the scene at Headquarters in Winston-Salem on Halloween Day. (l-r) Among those dressed for fun were Pamela Updike, Heather Shelton, Robin Kees, Larrilyn Stiles, Judena Hutchens, Beverly
McIntyre, Kyleen Revels, Lisa Dodson, and Britney Scott.
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LEARNING is defined as
“gaining knowledge or skills
through experience or study” ... in
other words, if people perform
differently after training, learning
has taken place. Since people learn
best when they want to learn, smart
trainers try to understand what
people expect from training and to
relate to each trainee’s interests and
needs.
QOC trainers say Quality Plus
E.T.R.A.I.N. is working great!
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Quality Oil Company, LLC
PO Box 2736
Winston-Salem, NC 27102
336.722.3441
FAX 336.721.9527
We welcome your suggestions. You may email them to bfoster@qocnc.com
Quality Oil Newsletter Committee:
Brenda Foster, Administrative Assistant
Annette Wagoner, Purchasing Agent
Danny Brown, V.P. Service Stations
Haywood Stroupe, Sales Supervisor
Lisa Dodson, Hotel Accounting Supervisor
Nicole Spillman, Recruiting & Training Manager
Shawn Cline, Safety and Loss Manager
Jean Sawyer, District Manager, Quality Plus
Rob Hill, VP Hotel Operations
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