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News | June 30, 2020

San Joaquin’s Edwards receives the DLA Distribution Strategic Goals Award in the Always Accountable Category

By Annette Silva, DLA Distribution San Joaquin Public Affairs

Welder Sean Edwards assigned to the Automated Materiel Handling System Maintenance Division at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Joaquin, California, was selected as the DLA Distribution Strategic Goals Award winner in the Always Accountable Category for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Edwards is a key player on the AMHS team performing his duties with expertise in his primary function as a welder/fabricator. The division is dedicated to the management and maintenance of a variety of fixed industrial equipment and mechanized material handling equipment and systems within DLA Distribution San Joaquin responsible for approximately 2,600 pieces of (non-vehicle) material handling equipment. The equipment includes more than 4.5 miles of package conveyor, 18 automated storage and retrieval system cranes, and approximately 0.5 miles of pallet conveyor.

“Mr. Edwards’ technical acumen, professionalism and dedication to providing consistent and excellent support to internal and external customers, prove to be significant factors in AMHS Division’s high maintenance availability rates,” said his supervisor Mark Bell.

In addition to his welder duties, he served as a painter, demonstrating his versatility and value to the organization. During this quarter, Edwards completed six fabrication/weld projects with precision and professionalism, always delivering the highest quality of work.

Further, Edwards performed several unscheduled but extremely critical repairs to the palletizer machine in the Unitized Group Rations operation, ensuring DLA Distribution San Joaquin met DLA Troop Support’s monthly production requirement for 64 consecutive months.

“Although not a mechanic, Mr. Edwards’ ability to troubleshoot and repair a wide range of equipment earned him the respect of both his colleagues and management alike,” said Bell.

Edwards is an excellent welder and his focus is consistently centered on ensuring a safe working environment. He routinely reports potential safety issues to his supervisor and actively promotes workplace safety to junior-graded employees at every opportunity. He took it upon himself to deliver a weld shop safety briefing to his co-workers, instructing them on the proper use of weld shop equipment and required personal protective equipment.

He is constantly looking at ways to improve the division. He fabricated a spool that easily and safely facilitates the replacement of conveyor belts. As a result, the time required to remove/replace long conveyor belts was decreased by nearly 10%, which significantly improved not only the effectiveness of AMHS, but also increased the efficiency and effectiveness of essential mission functions across the distribution center.

“Mr. Edwards’ exemplary performance and outstanding dedication to his division and DLA warrants this prestigious award,” concluded Bell.