Page 103 - Rukert - 100th Anniversary

In December of 2004, “R” building on the site of the former Lebanon Chemical Company
was completed, once again expanding operations at Lazaretto. The 123,000-square-foot blue and white building became the company’s biggest warehouse to date by 43,000 square feet. In addition to six loading docks, “R” building has three large overhead doors, giving drivers the ability to maneuver fully- loaded trucks through the building, rather than turning around inside.
Rukert Terminals began exporting farm and heavy construction equipment like John Deere tractors and Caterpillar bulldozers through the Lazaretto Terminal in 2004. Over the next eight
years, thousands of pieces of equipment that arrived by truck and rail were driven onto Ro-Ro ships bound for Russia or South Africa. Skip Carland, who was hired in 2005 to oversee the export work, would be promoted to Operations Manager 12 years later.
Andy Nixon was promoted to Vice President of Rukert Terminals Corporation in 2005. The
new team of Shaun, Andy, Jason and Frank shared
a commitment to customer service, a record of leadership and a strong vision for the future, which included a heightened focus on employee health and safety. In 2005, Andy initiated the company’s Safety Incentive Program. The goal of the program is for all departments to have zero lost-time accidents each
ABOVE: The Rukert Terminals executive team. Front row, left to right: Shaun Rukert, Norm Rukert, John Coulter, Andy Nixon. Top row, left to right: Jason Loveland, Steve Landess, John Littleton, Frank Olszewski.
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