September 1, 2024 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes)

The Brick Chronicles

At Baxter’s Bricks, the future isn’t just about stronger, more efficient production—it’s about sustainability. And no one understands this better than Tom Jenkins. As the Environmental Impact Manager, Tom reports directly to Rick Nelson, the COO, and is spearheading one of the most critical projects in the company’s history: reducing the environmental footprint, brick by brick.

Tom’s passion for the environment isn’t just about following regulations—it’s personal. “My kids love playing outside, and I want them to have a world worth exploring,” Tom often says with a grin. This passion drives his work, whether he’s overseeing the reduction of kiln emissions or finding innovative ways to recycle waste materials. But Tom’s job isn’t easy. The brick manufacturing process is inherently energy-intensive, and managing its environmental impact is challenging.

His mission was kicked into high gear after a candid conversation between Rick and CEO Sarah Thompson. In a recent leadership meeting, Sarah turned to Rick and said, “We need to make Baxter’s Bricks an industry leader in sustainability. Tom’s our guy, but he’ll need support. What can we do to make this happen?”

Rick replied, “Tom has the plan, but we need to give him the resources and the freedom to innovate. He’s already identified key areas where we can reduce our impact, but he’ll need some backing to push through the changes.”

Sarah nodded. “Let’s make it happen. We’re not just in the business of building bricks; we’re building a legacy. If Tom needs something, he gets it. No red tape.”

Tom’s work centers around several key environmental challenges:

Energy Consumption

Challenge: Brick kilns are energy guzzlers, and reducing their consumption is no small feat.

Plan: Tom’s team is exploring alternative energy sources, like solar power, and optimizing kiln efficiency to reduce overall energy usage.

Emission Control

Challenge: Kilns produce significant emissions, which can be harmful to both the environment and surrounding communities.

Plan: Tom’s implementing state-of-the-art emission control technologies to capture and reduce pollutants before they hit the atmosphere.

Waste Management

Challenge: The production process generates a lot of waste, from broken bricks to excess clay.

Plan: Tom is working on a recycling initiative that turns waste materials into usable products, like paving stones and landscaping blocks.

Water Usage

Challenge: Brick production requires large amounts of water, a resource that’s becoming increasingly precious.

Plan: Tom’s team is developing water recycling systems that reduce consumption by up to 40%, ensuring that every drop counts.

Tom knows that success in this area requires more than just technology—it requires teamwork. He frequently collaborates with other departments, from production to R&D, ensuring that everyone is on board with the green revolution.

In one memorable meeting, Tom presented his plans to Rick and a group of managers. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead,” he admitted. “But with everyone pulling in the same direction, we can make Baxter’s Bricks a model of sustainability.”

The mission is clear: to lead Baxter’s Bricks into a greener future. With Rick’s support and Sarah’s commitment to removing barriers, Tom is confident that the company can meet and possibly exceed its environmental goals.

In a recent company-wide email, Sarah echoed this sentiment: “Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s our responsibility. Tom Jenkins and his team are leading the way, and I know that together, we’ll build a brighter, greener future—brick by brick.”

“The more you drive positive change, the more enhanced your business model.“

-Paul Polman

Lead from your heart. Lead to Win.

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