THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE HERITAGE GROUP
JULY 2018
IN THIS ISSUE
T H E H E R I TA G E G R O U P | T H G R P. C O M
P2 O N E H E R I TA G E : DOT OUTREACH P3 M A C R O T R E N D S Q 2 : AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
Heritage Family, In my end-of-year note in December, I wrote about the results from our 2017 Employee Survey. Over the past several months we have been working hard to respond to your
P4 P E O P L E I N T H E S P O T L I G H T : CARALYN CLARK
feedback with a simple mantra: “You Asked, We Listened.”
First, we heard loud and clear that our leaders wanted a pathway to professional
and personal growth, so we launched two new training programs: Connect, Collaborate and Innovate and Leadership Exploration and Development.
We also heard that we needed to improve internal communications at The Heritage
Group. There was a thirst to better understand what The Heritage Group and our family of companies were doing and a desire to find ways to collaborate and innovate together.
We hear you loud and clear and are taking steps to improve communications and
stay better connected. This inaugural issue of the THG Quarterly newsletter is the
SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW:
HRG LIGHTER FLUID STUDY P5 B U S I N E S S U P D AT E : BIOSYNTHETIC TECHNOLOGIES ACQUIRED
latest example of our commitment to share information about The Heritage Group.
Beyond sharing news about The Heritage Group and our people, this is also an
opportunity to create a dialogue. This newsletter is for you, so please reach out and tell me how we can improve it.
Thank you for your continued commitment to The Heritage Group. The first half of
2018 has been incredible, and the road ahead is full of opportunities for The Heritage Group, our business and our people. Be Safe.
Amy
AN UPDATE FROM AMY SCHUMACHER PRESIDENT OF THE HERITAGE GROUP
P6 C E N T E R S TA G E : UPDATES FROM THE CENTER
IT DEMONSTRATED HOW PROFESSIONAL, GIVING AND COMMITTED THG IS TO THE ROADBUILDING INDUSTRY.
ONE HERITAGE
STATE OUTREACH
DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION
Over the past several months, many
with APAI members Milestone, Walsh
representatives, as well as competitors.
Heritage Group companies have worked
and Kelly, Wabash Valley, and Asphalt
In addition to a great networking event,
together to increase their outreach to
Materials to provide an excellent facility
it also demonstrated to the industry how
the Indiana and Illinois Departments of
for the course.
professional, giving, and committed The
Transportation. This outreach deepens
Heritage Group is to the road building
our existing relationships and creates
The class typically attracts 60 students
industry.
new opportunities for us to work together
comprised of contractors, consultants,
to enhance our local infrastructure.
and INDOT technicians that are required
In April 2018, Champaign Asphalt hosted
to pass it to become certified to test and
approximately 10 Illinois Department of
In January 2018, The Heritage Group
approve HMA mixes used on DOT jobs.
Transportation (IDOT) representatives
hosted the Indiana Department of
The class included members of The
at The Center. In addition to getting a
Transportation/Asphalt Pavement
Heritage Group team and representatives
tour of the facility, including the Heri-
Association of Indiana Certified QC/
from customers of U.S. Aggregates and
tage Research Group, IDOT officials were
QA Technician class at The Center. The
Asphalt Materials. This class gave The
briefed on the wide array of services and
event was an excellent opportunity
Heritage Group an opportunity to show-
materials The Heritage Group produces
for the Heritage Research Group, along
case The Center to customers, agency
and provides the entire industry.
Š THE HERITAGE GROUP 2018 | THGRP.COM | J U LY 2018 | PAGE 2
MACROTRENDS Q2
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES Autonomous vehicles are slowly becoming a reality and will likely transform our transportation system, economy, and the way we work and live. While we are still decades away from a complete switch to fully autonomous vehicles, we have already begun to see partially autonomous vehicles on the road. The numbers of these vehicles and their level of autonomy will increase as the technology becomes more sophisticated.
Major automakers and tech giants such as Google, Tesla, and Uber are investing billions
Autonomous vehicles use a combination of
of dollars to reach the goal of fully autono-
radar, optics, sonar, lidar (light detection and
mous fleets of vehicles. The primary barrier
ranging), GPS, and infrared sensors to gather
is the need for extensive testing to enable
data about their environment, allowing the
the vehicles to make the right decisions on
car to drive without human intervention.
the road. The decision-making process of
Partially autonomous vehicles are available
autonomous vehicles will be significantly
today and provide functions such as lane
enhanced as they become commonplace on
assist, keeping the car within the lanes of
the road and we adapt our infrastructure to
a highway, and crash avoidance features,
this new level of transportation. Allowing
allowing the car to remain a safe distance
autonomous vehicles to communicate with
from other cars without the driver’s help.
other autonomous vehicles and interact
30K
ROAD DEATHS EACH YEAR. THE LEADING CAUSE: HUMAN ERRORS
120 BILLION
$
AMOUNT TRAFFIC CONGESTION COSTS THE U.S. EACH YEAR
with embedded technology will allow them The potential impact of autonomous vehicles
to share data and coordinate movements.
extends far beyond the benefits they will provide for personal transportation and
Autonomous vehicles will significantly
freight. The technology has the potential to
impact several of the industries The
save thousands of lives and add billions of
Heritage Group is involved in, and we are
dollars to the economy each year. Autono-
preparing for this challenge. The Heritage
mous vehicles will rid our roads of traffic,
Group is leading an effort to create the
the most significant cause of the 30,000
intelligent highways of the future with
deaths each year on the road. Further, roads
passive and active sensors built into the
filled with connected, autonomous vehicles
infrastructure of the road. These, along with
will significantly reduce traffic congestion,
other efforts, will help us turn the challenge
which currently costs the U.S. around
of autonomous vehicles into an opportunity
$120 billion a year.
for future growth.
Š THE HERITAGE GROUP 2018 | THGRP.COM | J U LY 2018 | PAGE 3
FUTURE
OF ROADS THG PROJECT THAT EXAMINES IMPACT OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW FUN SCIENCE: HRG LIGHTER FLUID STUDY HRG held a BBQ at The Center to compare two new and eco-friendly Calumet lighter fluids with popular competitors. Participants not only provided valuable feedback, but were also treated to chicken, burgers, shrimp and veggies.
C A R A LY N C L A R K
PEOPLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT After 27 years at The Heritage Group,
now The Heritage Research Group. She
Caralyn Clark retired in May 2018 Caralyn
made hundreds of acetate presentations,
was an institution at The Heritage Group
took thousands of messages, and helped
and spent most of her career at the
ensure HRG scientists could focus on
Heritage Research Group.
research and innovation by ensuring administrative operations ran smoothly.
She began her career in The Heritage
More importantly, Caralyn brought folks
Group’s Word Processing Department in
together. She loved HRG and helped
1991 during a time when most employees
onboard hundreds of employees over
did not have their own computers.
the years, making them feel welcome.
Instead, employees would hand-write
She was also known for making home-
their documents and put them in a
made birthday cakes for every HRG staff
little wire basket. The word processing
member. She always took requests and
department would then pull them out,
tried to accommodate them as much as
type them, and deliver them back to the
possible.
originator. However, after two years, a colleague encouraged Caralyn to apply
Caralyn had a big heart and will be
for a position in the R&D group. She was
missed, but after nearly 30 years of work-
awarded the position and spent the next
ing with The Heritage Group, she is now
25 years in a variety of roles.
enjoying retirement with her husband, Ron, their children and grandchildren.
Over the years she worked closely with Tony Kriech and Herb Wissel to support
Thank you, Caralyn for your dedication
the growth of the R&D group into what is
to The Heritage Group.
Š THE HERITAGE GROUP 2018 | THGRP.COM | J U LY 2018 | PAGE 4
BUSINESS UPDATE:
BIOSYNTHETIC TECHNOLOGIES The Heritage Group partnered with Calumet Specialty Products Partners to make a significant commitment to renewable base oil technology through the
BIOSYNTHETIC BASE OIL
acquisition of Biosynthetic Technologies. The acquisition was announced on April 9,
OECD 301B READY
2018 and represents The Heritage Group’s
BIODEGRADABILITY TEST
long-term vision of producing innovative value-enhancing specialty products for our customers and partners. Following the acquisition, core members of the technology and marketing team of Biosynthetic Technologies’ joined Biosyn Holding LLC, a joint venture created by The Heritage Group and Calumet Specialty Partners to continue the development and commercialization of Biosynthetic’s
Most importantly, this approach demon-
estolides technology.
strated to a broad range of Heritage employees the power of a collaborative teamwork
This acquisition truly embodied the One
89.5% 65.3% ESTIOLIDE
| ISO 32 | SE68
ESTIOLIDE
| ISO 100 | SE158
% BIODEGRADED IN 28 DAYS
approach.
Heritage approach. Team members from Monument, Heritage Research Group, The
Currently, The Heritage Group and Calumet
Heritage Group, Calumet and Biosynthetic
are exploring a range of alternatives to
Technologies came together at The Center
maximize the value of the acquired estolides
for 30 days where they assessed the future
technology across a diverse portfolio of
potential applications of BT’s intellectual
products and solutions in a variety of
property. This collaborative approach created
end-markets. One of the first potential uses
a clear path forward for the technology,
of this proprietary technology is commercial
including opportunities to unlock potential
production of renewable esters at Calumets’
additional uses for the technology.
Missouri plant.
© THE HERITAGE GROUP 2018 | THGRP.COM | J U LY 2018 | PAGE 5
EVEN AFTER USE, OUR OILS ARE BIODEGRADABLE AND LESS TOXIC THAN PETROLEUM
THE LATEST HAPPENINGS AT THE CENTER
CENTER STAGE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD For the 10th year in a row, The Heritage Group partnered with Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity to build the components of a house in The Center parking lot with a deserving Indianapolis family. Over 50 THG employees participated in the build, despite the cold weather.
HOOSIER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR Roughly 150 students from across the state of Indiana came to The Center for their chance to make it to an international science fair. Students ranged in age from 4th grade to seniors in high school. More than 100 people came to judge the competition. The Hoosier Science & Engineering Fair supports STEM education across the state of Indiana.
TALENT SUMMIT The first Indy Talent Summit was held at The Center in April, bringing together 15 community and company leaders from across the Indianapolis area to discuss challenges, needs, and resources related to employment and recruiting. Individuals from Lilly, Roche, High Alpha, Indy Chamber, T-Map, Ascend, and many other organizations were in attendance. By taking a more collaborative effort in making our state and region a great place to work, we all win!
MITCH DANIELS FOUNDATION DINNER The Center hosted the Mitch Daniels Foundation Dinner on March 22. The event was attended by more than 300 people, including leaders of the community and local and state elected officials. At the event, Scott Dorsey was awarded the Daniels Prize Award for extraordinary contributions to leadership development in Indiana.
Do you know of an item that should be featured in our newsletter?
Please send content or photos to Will Hummel at whummel@thgrp.com
Š THE HERITAGE GROUP 2018 | THGRP.COM | J U LY 2018 | PAGE 6