Universal Lubricants names Kennedy director of environmental health and safety compliance

Keeping pace with the growing importance of environmental protection in the lubricants industry, Universal Lubricants announced the appointment of industry veteran Bill Kennedy as director of environmental health, safety and compliance (EHS) on April 23.
As the new leader of the EHS department, Kennedy will be responsible for ensuring company and customer compliance in all regulatory arenas, including working with the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Minimizing waste and maximizing recycling is critical to the future of the environment as well as for our customers’ sustainability and financial goals,” said Universal Lubricants’ CEO, John Wesley. “Bill will lead a team of experts in environmental regulations and environmental waste handling to guide customers to responsibly reuse and recycle materials in a way that protects their business, human health and the environment.”
Kennedy will be based at Universal Lubricants’ facility in Monee, Ill., U.S.A., one of 36 facilities operated by the company nationwide.
In their closed loop process, Universal Lubricants collects used oil and re-refines it to produce quality Group II+ base oil which is then blended with superior additives to manufacture Eco Ultra motor and engine oils, hydraulic oils and automatic transmission fluids.
Kennedy began his professional career in an operating unit of Dow Chemical in 1981. Prior to joining Universal Lubricants’ RS Used Oil Services in 2001, he managed transportation and hazardous waste processing operations for Envirite Corporation of Illinois, taught courses on industrial hazardous materials at Prairie State College, and directed EHS and safety training for Ozinga Transportation Systems’ fleet of over 140 power units throughout North America.
An active member of the National Oil Recyclers Association (NORA) and National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC), Kennedy received NTTC’s Grand Award for achievement in directing safety activities.
Founded in 1929, Universal Lubricants is a driving force in used oil collection, base oil re-refining and product distribution. A leader in research and development, Universal Lubricants is a Pegasus Capital Advisors portfolio company and employs more than 465 workers.
(April 23, 2013)