Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Patriot Environmental

06/30/2022 | Comment

ELGIN, IL — Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (Nasdaq: HCCI), a leading provider of parts cleaning, used oil re-refining, and hazardous and non-hazardous waste services primarily focused on small and mid-sized customers, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Patriot Environmental Services, Inc. (“Patriot”).

Patriot is a leading provider of environmental services across the Western United States specializing in a wide variety of waste services, including emergency response, industrial services, and OSRO spill response. Patriot provides full-service environmental solutions to a wide variety of end markets, serving customers within manufacturing, agriculture, construction, healthcare, mining, oil & gas, transportation, and utilities markets. From custom on-site services to industrial waste disposal, as well as wastewater treatment, Patriot operates at eighteen locations in the western and southern United States.

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.’s President and CEO Brian Recatto commented, “The acquisition of Patriot will fortify our presence in the Western U.S. and enhance our nationwide service. With the addition of Patriot’s two wastewater treatment facilities, we will have ten wastewater treatment facilities throughout our network, thereby strengthening our national wastewater vacuum platform.  Patriot also possesses other non-hazardous waste processing capabilities which will increase our vertical integration and support our containerized waste business in the Western U.S. reducing our logistics and disposal costs and improving our ability to compete in the larger quantity industrial generator market. In addition, this acquisition will allow us to internalize some of the field service work we currently outsource to subcontractors which should improve our profitability for these services.” 

Recatto commented further, “We are very excited to welcome all of the employees of Patriot to the Heritage-Crystal Clean team. We look forward to working with our new colleagues to achieve continued success and provide premier, environmentally sustainable solutions to our customers.”

Josh Teves, President of Patriot, commented, “On behalf of the Patriot team, we are delighted to combine forces with HCCI and we are eager to leverage the Crystal Clean menu of services to deliver even more value to our customers.”

The transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022.

Safe Harbor Statement

All references to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc., and its subsidiaries. This release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current management expectations. Generally, the words “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “would” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others: failure to complete the proposed acquisition on the proposed terms or anticipated timeline, or at all, including risks related to securing the necessary regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions; the challenges and costs of closing, integrating and achieving anticipated benefits of the proposed acquisition; the ability to retain key employees; inflationary pricing pressures impacting our businesses and customers; developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on our business and operations, general economic conditions and downturns in the business cycles of automotive repair shops, industrial manufacturing businesses and small businesses in general; increased solvent, fuel and energy costs and volatility, including a drop in the price of crude oil, the selling price of lubricating base oil, solvent, fuel, energy, and commodity costs; our ability to enforce our rights under the FCC Environmental purchase agreement; our ability to pay our debt when due and comply with our debt covenants; our ability to successfully operate our used oil re-refinery and to cost-effectively collect or purchase used oil or generate operating results; increased market supply or decreased demand for base oil; further consolidation and/or declines in the United States automotive repair and manufacturing industries; the impact of extensive environmental, health and safety and employment laws and regulations on our business; legislative or regulatory requirements or changes adversely affecting our business; competition in the industrial and hazardous waste services industries and from other used oil re-refineries; claims and involuntary shutdowns relating to our handling of hazardous substances; the value of our used solvents and oil inventory, which may fluctuate significantly; our ability to expand our non-hazardous programs for parts cleaning; our dependency on key employees; our level of indebtedness, which could affect our ability to fulfill our obligations, impede the implementation of our strategy, and expose us to interest rate risk; the impact of legal proceedings and class action litigation on us and our ability to estimate the cash payments we will make under litigation settlements; our ability to effectively manage our network of branch locations; the control of The Heritage Group over the Company; and the risks identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022. Given these uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update or revise them or provide reasons why actual results may differ. The information in this release should be read in light of such risks and in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this release.

About Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. provides parts cleaning, used oil re-refining, and hazardous and non-hazardous waste services primarily to small and mid-sized manufacturers and other industrial businesses as well as customers in the vehicle maintenance sector. Our service programs include parts cleaning, containerized waste management, used oil collection and re-refining, wastewater vacuum, waste antifreeze collection, recycling and product sales, and field services. These services help our customers manage their used chemicals and liquid and solid wastes, while also helping to minimize their regulatory burdens. Our customers include small-to-medium sized manufacturers, such as metal product fabricators and printers, and other industrial businesses as well as businesses involved in vehicle maintenance operations, such as car dealerships, automotive repair shops, and trucking firms. Through our used oil re-refining program during fiscal 2021, we recycled approximately 66 million gallons of used oil into high quality lubricating base oil, and we are a supplier to firms that produce and market finished lubricants. Through our antifreeze program during fiscal 2021 we recycled approximately 3.9 million gallons of spent antifreeze which was used to produce a full line of virgin-quality antifreeze products. Through our parts cleaning program during fiscal 2021 we recycled 2 million gallons of used solvent into virgin-quality solvent to be used again by our customers. In addition, we sold 0.5 million gallons of used solvent into the reuse market. Through our containerized waste program during fiscal 2021 we collected 21 thousand tons of regulated waste which was sent for energy recovery. Through our wastewater vacuum services program during fiscal 2021 we treated approximately 49 million gallons of wastewater. Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, and operates through 91 branches serving approximately 98,000 customer locations.

The Company uses its website to make information available to investors and the public at www.crystal-clean.com.

CONTACT: Mark DeVita, Chief Financial Officer, at (847) 836-5670

Employee Spotlight – Joe Starin

06/20/2022 | Comment

A common saying in many industries is, “It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.” This saying couldn’t be more true to our industry at times, especially sometimes when it comes to the work the folks on the vacuum truck do. But with those dirty jobs, also comes a lot of potential for a great career.

Joe Starin been on a vacuum truck for 27 years, and it’s safe to say he has seen his fair share of dirty jobs in those years. He’s also seen a great deal of success himself and built a fantastic career doing this type of work. And that success hasn’t only been for himself, but the Minneapolis branch as well. In just two years at Crystal Clean, he grew a vacuum truck program into an extremely successful line of business.

“I remember the first week I did several larger vac jobs at the branch,” Joe said. “The branch had never seen that much done in just one week, and they had to do a double take just to see how much potential there was in building a strong vacuum truck program at the branch. There’s a lot of opportunity for vacuum truck programs and it was exciting to get everyone on board with the idea of building the vac program to its full potential.”

It’s common for some people to say they get into a career by chance, but for Joe getting into the environmental services industry was legitimately an accident. Back in 1994, Joe was 19 and looking for a job. One of his friends worked for a recruiting agency and referred Joe to apply for a warehouse job. Joe drove out to the warehouse of an environmental services company, knocked on the door, interviewed for a position, and was offered the job. It was only after the fact that he found out he had accidently gone to the wrong company for the interview.

27 years later, and Joe says that this was probably the best accident of his life. Within his first year on the job, he moved from the warehouse to working on an oil truck, and then from the oil truck to a vacuum truck. Once on the vacuum truck, Joe felt like he found his niche in the environmental services world.

“Everything is truly different each day on a vacuum truck,” Joe shared. “You need to be a problem solver when going out on jobs because each service visit is different than the last stop, even if it is a similar job. You also have to adapt because there are days when you think you’ll just be doing routine service visits, when you get an emergency response call that you need to go to.”

Another part of the business that Joe really enjoys is the relationship building side of things. He will be the first the share that he’s a people-person, and that is one trait of his that he thinks has helped him immensely in his career. The ability to build customer relationships is something Joe sees as key to building a successful vacuum truck program at a branch.

“Anyone can be taught to drive and operate a vac truck, but it takes a certain kind of person and skillset to manage a program and the relationships with customers,” Joe said. “For me, being a problem solver for customers is how you win in my book. You want to be that first person they call when there’s a problem. You do your job well, and they trust you to help them and do whatever is in their best interest.”

Now that he’s been recently promoted to the Branch Sales Manager role, Joe feels like there is a passing of the torch to the next group of vacuum truck drivers. He attributes a lot of his success to the mentors he’s had in his career that have helped him along the way, as well as the strong network of vac truck drivers at Crystal Clean who all support one another.

“Joe made a strong first impression 27 years ago when I hired him at a different company and he showed moxie, confidence, and a willingness to learn right from the start,” shared Jeff Roche, Division 3 Regional Manager. “He’s always had a team-focused mindset and wants to contribute in the best ways he can. Seeing his career growth over the years has been amazing and I was thrilled when he joined us at Crystal Clean. Joe’s not just someone who’s great at what he does, he’s also someone who thinks about how he can help others succeed and be the best they can become.”

Whatever is ahead next for Joe, the future looks bright. He plans to keep on learning in his new role and support the growing Minneapolis branch. Joe is excited for the work ahead and looks forward to mentoring the expanding team of employees at his branch. He’s committed to making an impact at his branch and helping others grow in their own careers.

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. to Present at the Stifel 2022 Cross Sector Insight Conference

06/06/2022 | Comment

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (Nasdaq:HCCI) announced that Mark DeVita, CFO, will present at the Stifel 2022 Cross Sector Insight Conference on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Heritage-Crystal Clean’s presentation is scheduled to begin at 8:35 am EDT. The presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed at the following link, https://wsw.com/webcast/stifel68/hcci/2060291.

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Announces 2022 First Quarter Financial Results

05/04/2022 | Comment

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (Nasdaq: HCCI), a leading provider of parts cleaning, used oil re-refining, and hazardous and non-hazardous waste services primarily focused on small and mid-sized customers, today announced results for the first quarter which ended March 26, 2022.

To view the financial results for the first quarter, please visit our financial releases page.

The company will host a conference call on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 9:30 AM Central Time, during which management will give a presentation focusing on the Company’s operations and financial results.

Interested parties can listen to the audio webcast available through our company website, https://crystal-clean.com/investor-relations/, and can participate on the call by dialing (888) 440-4149. After dialing the number, you will be required to provide the following passcode before being joined to the conference call: 8889427.

To register for the webcast online, please visit https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/606727253.

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Announces Investment in Battery Recycling Partner Retriev

04/19/2022 | Comment

ELGIN, IL April 19, 2022 — Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (Nasdaq: HCCI), a leading provider of parts cleaning, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services, used oil re-refining, antifreeze recycling and field services primarily focused on small and mid-sized customers, today announced an investment in its battery recycling partner, HBR Retriev Holdco, LLC (Retriev), through its operating subsidiary, Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC (HCC).

Retriev is an integrated battery recycling platform that includes the operations of Heritage Battery Recycling, Retriev Technologies, and Battery Solutions. Retriev is the only complete service provider for lithium and cross-chemistry in the industry, offering battery-centric logistics, collection program solutions and second-life applications. This investment, together with the logistics services agreement HCC executed with Retriev earlier this year, positions HCC to further capitalize on the opportunity to provide comprehensive collection and recycling services to businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The circular battery supply chain is complex. Ensuring a robust network of battery-centric logistics focused on safety and compliance are critical to the success of this sector. HCC’s strategic locations will support Retriev’s growing demand in end-of-life battery collection and logistics.

“We are very excited with this investment as we believe it provides a great opportunity for our shareholders to benefit further from the growing electrification of our economy,” said Brian Recatto, President and CEO, HCC. “We believe this puts us in a great position to assist our current customers and future generations in achieving their sustainability goals.”

About Heritage-Crystal Clean

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. provides parts cleaning, used oil re-refining, and hazardous and non-hazardous waste services primarily to small and mid-sized manufacturers and other industrial businesses as well as customers in the vehicle maintenance sector. Our service programs include parts cleaning, containerized waste management, used oil collection and re-refining, wastewater vacuum, waste antifreeze collection, recycling and product sales, and field services. These services help our customers manage their used chemicals and liquid and solid wastes, while also helping to minimize their regulatory burdens. Our customers include small-to-medium sized manufacturers, such as metal product fabricators and printers, and other industrial businesses as well as businesses involved in vehicle maintenance operations, such as car dealerships, automotive repair shops, and trucking firms. Through our used oil re-refining program during fiscal 2021, we recycled approximately 66 million gallons of used oil into high quality lubricating base oil, and we are a supplier to firms that produce and market finished lubricants. Through our antifreeze program during fiscal 2021 we recycled approximately 3.9 million gallons of spent antifreeze which was used to produce a full line of virgin-quality antifreeze products. Through our parts cleaning program during fiscal 2021 we recycled 2 million gallons of used solvent into virgin-quality solvent to be used again by our customers. In addition, we sold 0.5 million gallons of used solvent into the reuse market. Through our containerized waste program during fiscal 2021 we collected 21 thousand tons of regulated waste which was sent for energy recovery. Through our wastewater vacuum services program during fiscal 2021 we treated approximately 49 million gallons of wastewater. Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, and operates through 91 branches serving approximately 95,000 customer locations.

About Retriev Technologies  

Retriev, the recognized leader in battery management and recycling, has been at the forefront of safe and responsible recycling technology for decades, processing lithium batteries for over 30 years. Retriev utilizes a patented hydrometallurgical process which recovers critical materials necessary for the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries that are used to power our world. Retriev’s reputation is built on research, knowledge, compliance and responsible battery recycling and management services. For more information, visit www.retrievtech.com.

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. and Battelle to Collaborate on PFAS Destruction for Wastewater

03/29/2022 | Comment

ELGIN, IL and COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 29, 2022)— Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCCI) and Battelle  will join forces to tackle one of today’s most formidable environmental challenges—the removal and destruction of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from wastewater.

Battelle has chosen Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (Crystal Clean) as its partner to use, market and service Battelle’s PFAS destruction technology for commercial applications. Crystal Clean will use these key technologies in its own wastewater treatment plants and at third party landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and other commercial applications.  Crystal Clean also will work collaboratively with Battelle for use of the technology at other sites and for other applications.

Battelle’s PFAS Annihilator™ uses supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) to destroy PFAS in industrial wastewater, landfill leachate and other contaminated water. This is a market-leading solution for PFAS removal and destruction at waste processing facilities.

“PFAS properties are unique—they are oil and water repellent, temperature resistant, and friction reducing—making them extremely difficult to remove,” said Battelle PFAS Program Director Amy Dindal. “Unlike other treatment methods that can relocate the PFAS, like incineration or filtering, Battelle’s Annihilator™ breaks the carbon-fluorine bond and destroys PFAS.”

For Crystal Clean CEO Brian Recatto, the necessity to add PFAS destruction capabilities for his company came from his customers. “We are taking calls all the time asking if we can help to get rid of PFAS,” he said. “We are a leader in wastewater treatment, and we need to implement fast, large-scale solutions so we can address this critical issue to prevent harm to human health or the environment. We look forward to working closely with Battelle experts to market and implement this game changing technology.”

The implementation of this PFAS destruction solution is timely given the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s intention defined by its PFAS strategic roadmap to undertake rulemaking to restrict PFAS discharges from industrial sources.

About Heritage-Crystal Clean

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. provides parts cleaning, used oil re-refining, and hazardous and non-hazardous waste services primarily to small and mid-sized manufacturers and other industrial businesses as well as customers in the vehicle maintenance sector. Our service programs include parts cleaning, containerized waste management, used oil collection and re-refining, wastewater vacuum, waste antifreeze collection, recycling and product sales, and field services. These services help our customers manage their used chemicals and liquid and solid wastes, while also helping to minimize their regulatory burdens. Our customers include small-to-medium sized manufacturers, such as metal product fabricators and printers, and other industrial businesses as well as businesses involved in vehicle maintenance operations, such as car dealerships, automotive repair shops, and trucking firms. Through our used oil re-refining program during fiscal 2021, we recycled approximately 66 million gallons of used oil into high quality lubricating base oil, and we are a supplier to firms that produce and market finished lubricants. Through our antifreeze program during fiscal 2021 we recycled approximately 3.9 million gallons of spent antifreeze which was used to produce a full line of virgin-quality antifreeze products. Through our parts cleaning program during fiscal 2021 we recycled 2 million gallons of used solvent into virgin-quality solvent to be used again by our customers. In addition, we sold 0.5 million gallons of used solvent into the reuse market. Through our containerized waste program during fiscal 2021 we collected 21 thousand tons of regulated waste which was sent for energy recovery. Through our wastewater vacuum services program during fiscal 2021 we treated approximately 49 million gallons of wastewater. Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, and operates through 91 branches serving approximately 95,000 customer locations.

About Battelle  

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org. 

Media Contacts
Mark DeVita (847) 783-5358 mark.devita@crystal-clean.com
Katy Delaney (614) 424-7208 delaneyk@battelle.org
T.R. Massey (614) 424-5544 masseytr@battelle.org

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Announces Record 2021 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

03/02/2022 | Comment

ELGIN, IL., March 2, 2022 — Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (Nasdaq: HCCI), a leading provider of parts cleaning, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services, used oil re-refining, antifreeze recycling and field services primarily focused on small and mid-sized customers, today announced results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and for the full fiscal year, which ended January 1, 2022. To view the financial results for the fourth quarter and full year, please visit our financial releases page.

The company will host a conference call on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 9:30 AM Central Time, during which management will give a presentation focusing on the Company’s operations and financial results.

Interested parties can listen to the audio webcast available through our company website, https://crystal-clean.com/investor-relations/, and can participate on the call by dialing (833) 772-0398. After dialing the number, you will be required to provide the following passcode before being joined to the conference call: 7483238.

You can also register for the online webcast by clicking this link.

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. to Present at the 24th Annual Needham Virtual Growth Conference on January 11th

01/03/2022 | Comment

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (Nasdaq:HCCI) announced that Mark DeVita, CFO, will present at the 24th Annual Needham Virtual Growth Conference on Tuesday, January 11,2022. Heritage-Crystal Clean’s presentation is scheduled to begin at 11:30 am EST.

The presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed at the following link, https://wsw.com/webcast/needham116/hcci/2208998.

Employee Spotlight – Michael Chavira

02/16/2022 | Comment

In our industry, we see a lot of movement on the road. Crystal Clean operates a fleet of more than 900 vehicles, ranging from light duty vans and pick-up trucks to class 8 tractors and straight trucks. And that’s not even counting the number of third-party transportation firms that support our operations. A majority of these vehicles are out on the road each day moving the materials we collect and deliver from one point to another. From customer locations to branches, hubs, operating facilities, and waste disposal sites, things are always moving at Crystal Clean.

With all that said, it comes as no surprise that our transportation and logistics team truly is doing work that keeps our company running. One member of this integral team is Michael Chavira, our Senior Logistics Specialist. He has been with Crystal Clean for five years and has worked within transportation and logistics for more than 20 years.

Michael’s day starts off early in the morning going through emails with transportation requests from across the company. He primarily handles requests related to Crystal Clean’s Indianapolis and Shreveport hubs, scheduling for the re-refinery, and supports the Battle Creek and Wooddale antifreeze facilities as well. Throughout the day, he is on the phone and sending emails to provide transportation updates, scheduling large customer pickups, and coordinating any emergency services needed.

“I initially fell into this type of role earlier on in my career and since then it all fell into place and I got hooked on this type of work,” Michael shared. “It’s always kept me busy and engaged and I’ve gotten a great comfort level with this work over the years.”

The logistics team can see anywhere from 100 to 200 requests a day split between the three of them, so it’s safe to say they work in a fast-paced environment each day. In addition to our own internal logistics operations, they also manage the third-party transportation companies who support our needs. There is a delicate balance of trying to keep all parties involved happy when it comes to logistics, while also ensuring that everyone receives exactly what they need at the right time so no one is overwhelmed with too many pieces moving at once.

“One of my goals I have is to do my job so well that people don’t notice when an issue arises because we handle it and find a solution quickly,” Michael said. “We have a good team in my department and the way everyone steps up helps us run like a well-oiled machine. If one of us fails we all fail, so we take our work seriously and we all are prepared to help wherever we need extra support.”

The way Michael handles himself in high-pressure situations has been a key characteristic to his success in his work. He shared that he has always been good at working with different kinds of people and juggling different situations as he addresses them to make sure everyone is happy.

“Michael has been great to work with in the field and he always gets the job done,” said Alan Spiller, Dayton Branch Manager. “Even when he’s faced with a challenging situation, he always has a great sense of humor and is willing to work with myself and other branch managers to get a problem solved quickly.”

Michael shared that he’s enjoyed his time at Crystal Clean and the people he gets to work with. He says it’s been a night-and-day difference between previous places he’s worked, where people genuinely care about one another and everyone pitches in the get the job done the right way. This has him excited about what the future holds for his career and the company. “The kind of work we do is exciting, and I like seeing how we continue to expand into the recycling and renewable energy side of things,” Michael said. “The world is continuing to look for new ways to manage the waste we collect and it’s encouraging to see how sustainability continues to be a focus of our company.”

Employee Spotlight – Dustin Gotreaux

12/14/2021 | Comment

Sunrise this time a year is typically just around 7 a.m., but there are some early birds who like to already have some time working under their belt before the sun peeks over the horizon. They already have their coffee in hand, going over their list of things to do for the day or checking in with co-workers. Dustin Gotreaux, Crystal Clean’s Branch Sales Manager (BSM) for the Baton Rouge, LA branch is one of those early birds that starts his day nice and early.

Dustin has been a member of the Crystal Clean team since 2007 and has held a few different positions leading up to his current role. He became the BSM at the branch in 2018 and had previously spent two years as an Environmental Solutions Partner (ESP) and 10 years before that as a sales and service representative. With all that time on a truck and working together with customers, it’s safe to say Dustin knows a thing or two when it comes to the environmental services industry.

“I feel like I have one of the best jobs as a BSM,” Dustin shared. “I have the freedom to go out, meet people, and grow the business. Plus, I can still hop on a truck and help out if needed.”

Each day is anything but typical for Dustin as a BSM. He usually arrives at the branch around 6 a.m. and starts going through emails while also checking in with sales and service representative to see what they need before he gets ready to hit the road himself. He has a goal to visit about 10 customers and prospects each day and lines up his week of appointments each Monday. And while it may sound like these visits would all be similar, Dustin shared that each visit has its own unique spin that keeps things interesting. The kind of people he meets at each customer keeps things different and lively, and he enjoys the opportunity his role as BSM gives him to meet new people and learn more about them.

“I’ve known Dustin for his whole career at Crystal Clean and he has really settled into his role as a BSM,” Baton Rouge Branch Manager Bill Bumm said. “He’s able to adapt well and is very persistent whenever he faces challenges. As a BSM, he’s very good at asking questions, keeping things fun, and breaking the ice with customer visits and cold calls. The way he handles himself helps all parties relax and be engaged in the conversation.”

Dustin hasn’t always been this confident, and in fact he shared that he used to be very shy. However, after a bit of time cold calling customers and prospects, he’s built up his confidence over the years. It’s his positive attitude and focus on what’s ahead that has made a difference and helps him frame each day as a new opportunity to try again.

“Always be looking forward at the future,” he shared. “Don’t dwell on the past. Otherwise, you can get stuck in the same mindset and things will keep going that way. There’s always a new day to try again.”

This forward-looking mindset is something that Dustin feels has helped lead to his success. He also decided early on to make the job a bit more personal and get involved with his co-workers. He’s found that this mindset has helped him become more invested not just in the business, but the relationships with his co-workers as well. This had led to better relationships around the branch and opportunities to support sales and service representatives with their questions as they continue to learn the industry.

Being at Crystal Clean for more than a decade, Dustin has seen a lot of changes happen in both the company and his career. He’s always felt challenged in his roles and has felt supported to try new things and move into new positions during his career. As he continues to work with Crystal Clean, he’s excited about what the future holds for the company. “In the future, I’d like to see us to process all the waste streams we collect,” he said. “We’ll be able to become the end-all solutions for our customers’ waste and won’t have to depend on other businesses to support our waste disposal and recovery operations. That’s why the recent acquisitions that grow our internal capabilities have me excited.”