L to R, Woody, Julie Finch and Walter - Julie Finch of our Title Department recently celebrated two important events, her birthday and her 30 year anniversary with Brandywine Auto Parts.  In appreciation for her service, Julie received a designer Brandywine watch.  Thanks for your continued service, everything that you’ve done for us and contratulations Julie!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tim Crittenden will wed Dani Short on June 28, 2009

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Belated congratulations to Mitchell & Darlene Cole -21 Years - April 9th.

Dana and Denise Cole – Bowie Truck & Van – 15 years – June 25th.

GET WELL WISHES
Randy Whitley – Southern Maryland Auto Parts - recovering from hip surgery

Allen Norris – Ecomony Auto Parts – recovering from eye surgery.

NEW HIRES
Justin Quade - Rentals
Trent Watson – Compact
Christopher Dixon – Savemore

Upcoming holidays & closings
We will be closed July 4th - Saturday

COMPLETION OF TRAINING

Bowie and Eden are 100% completed for Safety training…

Graduates:

Ashley Meinhardt – daughter of Woody Meinhardt - from Notre Dame - May 17th

Alvin Barrera - son of Claudia Barrera at BAP - PreK – June 11 – J C Ryan Elementary

Stephanie Flynt – Gwynne Park High School June 5th
Also: she will graduate from Emergency Medical class and will continue as a EMT-B on May 9, as well as graduating as a Major in the Gwynne Park ROTC program.

Michael Wilson – son of Brian Wilson, Brandywine Auto Parts – Chopticon High School – May 27th
And from So Md Tech Center on May 20th

Cory Karhumaa – son of Cathy Karhumaa at Real Estate - 8th Grade – Smallwood General Middle School – June 10th

Dawn Bland’s – Brandywine Accounting - son James graduates from the 5th grade – St. Peters Elementary

Cheryl Miller – BTE – Received a certificate May 13th from the accounting class she attended. She kept her GPA above 3.5 for the semester.

Cheyenne Browne – Glinda Browne’s granddaughter - Brandywine Switchboard - graduates from Kindergarten on June 11

Nothing can ruin a spring road trip more than a broken-down vehicle. So it is important to make sure that you tune-up your vehicle using the proper parts. If you take your vehicle to a repair shop, ask for a listing of the parts installed and if they are new or aftermarket. Sometimes aftermarket items are cheaper; however make sure they are factory replacements. If not, do not use them. It could cost more money in the long run. A basic engine tune-up consists of changing out the spark plugs, plug wires, cap and rotor, or coil pack boots, PCV valve, all drive belts, fuel injector cleaning, thermostat, fuel filter, air filter, and oil and oil filter. It also would be advisable to replace the timing belt every 60,000 miles on the average type vehicle.

By: Will Kivett
G.M. Brandywine Installation Division

What “Housekeeping” Really Means in the Salvage Business

What exactly is meant by housekeeping?  It means just what it sounds like – in order to avoid slips, trips and falls, the second highest work-related type of industrial accident, dismantlers, yard employees, even salespeople need to make sure that the area they are working in is free from debris, dismantled vehicle parts, sta-dry and other hazards.  Make it a point to look around your work areas several times a day – do you see anything that can be thrown in the dumpster, cleaned up or moved?  Make it a point each and every day to look around your surroundings – see if your area is clean and debris-free so you can make sure your workday will be trip-free!

ASK THE HR TEAM

Can you please explain how Profit Sharing Loans Work?

Many questions arise regarding loans and how they work – Essentially, the plan allows you to borrow up to 50% of your vested balance and there can’t be more than two active loans at a time.  By vesting we mean “ownership”, and the longer you are here the more you become vested.  The company-sponsored 401-k and Profit Sharing Plan are separate amounts but in the same account and when you take a loan you are borrowing from both  sources. What’s nice is that when you make payments through payroll deduction, the only way to repay your loan, you are actually paying yourself back with interest.  Even though you may be borrowing a portion of your own money if you belong to the 401-k plan you can’t stop paying on your loan(s).

Why can’t I drop my medical or dental insurance at any time?

Medical and dental premiums are treated as pre-tax deductions, meaning that they are taken right “off the top” before your paycheck is taxed.  This is called IRS Section 125 that allows you to do this.  If a company allows its employees to stop deductions at any time, we will run the risk of losing the ability to offer you these pre-tax savings.

I don’t have dental insurance now, when can I join?

If you are a new full time employee, your eligibility date is the first of the month after 90 days’ employment and you will be provided an enrollment packet prior to this date.  If you are an existing full time employee and didn’t enroll right away, you can sign up at any time, but with some restrictions:  your preventative services (i.e. x-rays and cleanings) will be covered immediately – fillings will be covered in six months and your major restorative items such as crowns, bridges, etc. won’t be covered for twelve months.
DID YOU KNOW?

The company has offered direct deposit for several years but did you know that you can direct deposit to more than one bank or either checking or savings accounts.  For more information please call Carol in payroll.