Werres Corporation Surpasses 500 Days Without a Recordable Safety Incident, Setting New Benchmark in Material Handling

Frederick, MD — May 1, 2026 — Werres Corporation, a leading Mid-Atlantic provider of material handling equipment and warehouse solutions, has surpassed 500 consecutive days without a recordable safety incident, setting a new benchmark across the Toyota Material Handling North America network.

This milestone places Werres in a category of its own. No other Sales & Service Center within The Raymond Corporation or the broader Toyota Material Handling North America network has achieved this distinction to date.

More importantly, this level of safety performance delivers measurable value to customers. Across daily service interactions and warehouse environments, it means more consistent execution, reduced risk, and greater confidence in every technician visit.

“This milestone reflects how we operate at every level,” said Keith Burlingame, President of Werres Corporation. “When safety is built into the way work gets done, the result is not just fewer incidents. It is stronger execution and a more reliable experience for our customers.”

In material handling, safety is often treated as a compliance requirement. Werres approaches it differently by treating safety as a driver of operational performance. Werres’ approach is reinforced by its achievement of Raymond Lean Management (RLM) certification, a structured methodology focused on standard work, continuous improvement, and frontline accountability. By applying these principles across service and operations, Werres has created a disciplined environment where safety, efficiency, and consistency are built into every process.

Over 500 days, this discipline has supported:

• Consistent field service execution across customer sites
• Reduced disruption during on-site support
• Higher accountability across service and operations teams
• A more controlled, predictable service experience

At a time when warehouse operations are under increasing pressure to perform safely and efficiently, this approach demonstrates that safety and productivity are not competing priorities. They are directly connected.

Werres’ safety performance is the result of structured, repeatable practices across the organization, including technician training, standardized field protocols, and continuous accountability.

“Safety does not happen by accident. It is the result of consistent preparation, clear standards, and disciplined execution in the field,” said Shawn Haden, Vice President of Operations. “Our team understands that every interaction carries responsibility. This milestone reflects the way they show up every day.”

As organizations across Toyota Material Handling North America and The Raymond Corporation continue to raise the bar for operational excellence, Werres’ achievement highlights what is possible when safety is fully integrated into day-to-day execution.

At 500 days, this is not a finish line. It is a new baseline.

About Werres Corporation

Werres Corporation is a total solution provider for space, labor, and productivity optimization serving Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. Backed by Toyota Industries and aligned with the Raymond nationwide Sales & Service Center network, Werres delivers integrated warehouse solutions including lift trucks, automation systems, fleet optimization, energy solutions, Raymond Lean Management consulting, and comprehensive aftermarket support. With a dedicated team of factory-certified technicians, engineering expertise for automation projects, and robust regional parts inventory, Werres provides end-to-end solutions designed to improve safety, operational efficiency, and long-term performance across distribution and manufacturing environments throughout the Mid-Atlantic.