Allyn’s Point Site Supports Community Success
Styron’s Allyn’s Point latex manufacturing plant, located in Gales Ferry, Connecticut, USA, is a leading producer of emulsions used in the paper industry and is a strong example of how industry can help enhance the community where it is located. This site only has 32 employees, yet despite its small size, has a very positive impact on the communities that surround it.
For example, for the past 20 years, the Allyn’s Point site has encouraged local input to how it operates by sponsoring a Community Advisory Panel (CAP). The CAP consists of about 20 people who represent a cross-section of the local community. Membership includes local political leaders, business people, students, retirees, clergy, educators and average citizens.
Following a CAP meeting in 2011, CAP member and local school superintendent, Dr. Michael Graner, said, “The honesty and credibility is quite remarkable. I always feel like I’m getting the whole story, the straight story. And these are not easy conversations to have. I’ll be honest, if this were the school board, I’d be squirming.”(22)
Ted Kietzman, Styron’s site leader for Allyn’s Point, said, “The CAP has a significant yet subtle influence on Styron’s operations and support of the community. For example, when a CAP member wanted to promote recycling water bottles in the local schools, we provided funds for recycling bins. We learn a lot by translating what we do into everyday language for the CAP and get immediate feedback. Working with the CAP is a win-win situation and it keeps our viewpoint broader and more externally connected.”
In addition to the CAP, the Allyn’s Point site is contributing to local success through a number of initiatives, including:
- Contributing to charities, such as the United Way – In 2011, Styron and its local employees donated over $15,000 to the United Way; 94 percent of the site’s employees participated.
In addition, Styron donated approximately $10,000 worth of used site and office equipment to local charities following the closure of one of its buildings.
- Engaging in educational outreach – During the past year, several site employees donated their time and spoke at local schools and colleges about why students should consider careers in science and engineering, how chemicals like latex benefit society and how to improve the environment.
- Hosting training for local emergency responders – In 2010, the site hosted a two-day training session for emergency response personnel to help them better prepare to handle emergencies involving chemicals. Participants included state and local firefighters and police, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection representatives and industry experts.
- Improving the capabilities of the local fire department – The site recently made a donation to the Gales Ferry Fire Department so it could purchase a thermal imaging device to help firefighters see through smoke more clearly.
- Sponsoring an annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection day – In November 2010, Styron helped over 400 local residents dispose of items ranging from oil-based paints to pool chemicals to pesticides to mercury-containing thermometers.
- Supporting local groups for senior citizens and for the disabled – Styron donates the use of a meeting place, the Allyn House, to ARC (a group that assists the disabled) on a regular basis and sponsors an annual luncheon at the Ledyard Senior Center.
These are just some examples of how Styron’s 32 Allyn’s Point employees are contributing to the success and sustainability of their community.
