Thanksgiving is a time for looking back on the year and saying what we are thankful for. But this year, I can’t help but look forward…not because the past year has been bad—quite the opposite! It’s because all the things I am thankful for this year are making possible all the good things that are to come.
For example, I am so excited about the move to our new fulfillment center just off Devlin road. The facility will be the new home for our team, with plenty of room to grow. It’s a home we can all feel proud of, as it truly represents CPL and the high quality of excellence that we stand for.
There have been other forward looking projects, too. I don’t want to give away too much, but there are some exciting developments circulating for new services. And I am excited about the new clients that we will finally be able to bring on board as well.
So what makes all of these changes possible? In short, it’s the people we’ve surrounded ourselves with. There are so many people to be thankful for that it’s hard to list them all, but it’s important to recognize as many as I can!
First, our winery partners. Our winery partners trust us to be an extension of their business. We all take that trust very seriously. Our team meticulously cares for their products, knowing how important, limited, and valued every vintage is. We also understand that we are delivering not just wine to end consumers, but helping to recreate a winery experience to create loyal customers.
Next, our vendors and business partners. Our vendors are truly important to us; they are an extension of our business. It’s worth calling out some of the businesses that make our business thrive:
- I’m thankful for our carriers (FedEx Ground, FedEx Express, UPS) as they have some of the most dedicated people around. I am thankful in particular to Yolanda at the FedEx Ground terminal, Patrick at the FedEx Express terminal, and Damon, our beloved driver who moves trailer after trailer to UPS for us every day.
- Landsberg, who keeps us stocked with all of the packaging we need: Standard shippers, ice shippers, gift boxes, beautiful marketing pads… from big to small and everything in-between. Rob is always on top of everything, so detailed, and so communicative.
- The deep storage facilities that our clients use. We work so closely together with them to move massive amounts of cased goods from their facilities to CPL. Jackie at Valley Wine Warehouse in particular is always on the ball, organizing load after load of wine.
- Our forklift techs and equipment specialists at Raymond Material Handling, our LTL providers at K&B Trucking, IT Services from our friends at Formatech… the list goes on and on. We are always amazed at how enthusiastic and professional everyone is!
Finally, and most importantly, the team here at Copper Peak. One only needs to tour our building during the peak busy season to see the difference the team makes here. Yes, there is an onslaught of orders and much work to be done, but the team is always excited and full of energy. And even as they are working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, you see them doing it with wide smiles on their faces—and sometimes even singing and dancing.
When people leave at the end of the day, they do so feeling accomplished and proud of the work they’ve done. They meet challenges head-on, and often beat their own expectations of what they can accomplish.
And that’s not just our pickers and packers. That’s the CSR team, the Ops team, the Receiving Department, accounting, HR, leadership…everyone. These people make me excited to show up to work every day, and somehow they always manage to put a smile on my face. I really do think of them as a family.
So yes, I am looking forward to the future. But I also know that our future is made possible by the people who show up every day and give this company their best.
It is my Thanksgiving wish that every team can be like this, and that we can all work together to make 2023 a happy, healthy, and prosperous year to come.
-Stacey