This week's business news includes CNS small business of the year
CNS honors North Amarillo Auto Parts as small business of the year
Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) presented the small business of the year award to North Amarillo Auto Parts (NAAP) during a recent Partners in Excellence supplier outreach event. The locally owned and operated small business plays a key role in Pantex’s mission success by providing auto parts and maintenance supplies.
“This is the kind of service you get from a family run company,” Pantex Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) manager Bob Barnhart said. “The relationship we have with the NAAP team means more than just business, and they continue to go above and beyond for us.”
NAAP has been doing business with Pantex for more than 20 years and was also honored as small business of the year in 2017.
NAAP provides unique and hard-to-find parts to help the Pantex VMF maintain a fleet of more than 700 vehicles and 1,900 pieces of plant equipment, like low-speed vehicles, trailers, and forklifts. The Pantex fleet includes specialty vehicles for the fire department, security, and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Secure Transportation. NAAP also ensures efficient material and part flow by providing vendor managed inventory services for the VMF.
“In the current supply chain environment, having a partner such as NAAP has been critical to improve our communication with the manufacturers, ensure on-time deliveries to the plant, and ultimately enhance material availability,” Josh Holly, Pantex Vendor Managed Inventory lead, said.
During fiscal year 2023, CNS awarded just over 60% of subcontracts at Pantex and Y-12 to small businesses, surpassing the company’s goal of 53.5%. This percentage includes those classified as small disadvantaged, woman-owned, veteran-owned, and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
Nonstop Southwest flight boosts travel between Amarillo and Houston
The Southwest Airlines nonstop flights between Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston have begun filling a significant market need for travelers between Amarillo and Houston since the flights were introduced on October 8. The addition of this direct route every Sunday offers a timely solution for both business and leisure travelers with faster and more efficient trips to and from Houston.
Southwest’s nonstop flights to Houston Hobby operate on Sundays. Flight 3459 departs Amarillo at 3:40 p.m. and lands in Houston at 5:30 p.m. Conversely, Southwest Flight 2793 takes off from Houston at 1:10 p.m. and arrives in Amarillo at 2:55 p.m.
Early data and passenger feedback highlight an increase in travel between Amarillo and Houston since the launch of this nonstop service, according to Amarillo Director of Aviation Michael Conner.
"The nonstop flight service between Amarillo and Houston is a testament to the evolving needs of our passengers,” Conner said. “Southwest recognizes our community’s dynamic growth and continually adapts with new offerings, such as the recent Houston connection. We're thrilled to see the uptick in travel and remain committed to enhancing our offerings, ensuring both convenience and efficiency for all our customers."
Southwest also provides direct flights from Amarillo to Dallas Love Field Airport, Denver International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport.
For details on flight schedules and booking information, travelers are advised to visit www.fly-ama.com or contact their preferred airline.
Cinergy Entertainment and Valero Energy helping to fill holiday food baskets for Catholic Charities
It’s officially Holiday Season. The time of year when we’re all a little nicer and we tend to eat a little more. Cinergy Entertainment and Valero Energy are taking those characteristics to heart by collecting food donations for the Holiday Food Baskets distributed by Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle.
Cinergy will be giving away free popcorn or a $10 game card for four cans of food donated through Nov. 19. All you have to do is bring the food with you to Cinergy to get free stuff and help feed needy seniors and disabled in our community.
Food collection barrels are located at Cinergy.
Valero Energy is also getting into the holiday spirit. They will be collecting food items during this same time to feed our fellow brothers and sisters who may have to go without this holiday season.
The Holiday Food Basket campaign feeds nearly 700 families consisting of more than 900 people for each holiday meal. For more information on how to donate to the Holiday Food Basket Program visit www.cctxp.org/holiday-gift-basket. For more on the Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle, visit www.cctxp.org or on Facebook .
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers among businesses honoring veterans, military personnel on Veterans Day
WICHITA, Kan. – Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will honor our nation’s Veterans and current military personnel on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, with a free Freddy’s Original Double combo meal card.
No purchase is necessary to receive this special offer. Cards may be redeemed through November 30, 2023.
For more information about the offer, visit https://freddys.com/veterans-day.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area business news and developments for Nov. 5, 2023