Eight safety wins in a row don’t happen by accident.

For the eighth consecutive year, Monument Chemical’s Houston site has earned Union Pacific’s Pinnacle Award, which recognizes excellence in rail safety performance and the safe transportation of hazardous materials.

The recognition reflects Monument’s consistency, attention to detail, and day-to-day accountability required to safely move products by rail year after year.

“This award still matters every single time because it’s proof that we’re living what we say,” said David Zapata, Monument Houston Site Logistics Leader. “Safety is our top priority, and this recognition shows the discipline and commitment our team brings to the job every day. To sustain this level of performance for eight consecutive years says a lot about our people and the standards they continue to uphold.”

Rail operations require a high level of precision and expertise. From inspections and securement procedures to regulatory compliance and loading practices, even small details can make a major difference.

According to Roberto Castaneda, Monument Chemical Houston Shipping Manager, one of the team’s biggest strengths is how quickly new employees learn the expectations and habits that define the site’s safety culture.

“You see newer employees pick it up very quickly because the team around them already operates at a high level,” said Roberto. “There’s a strong understanding that there’s a correct way to do this work, and people reinforce that with each other every day. That consistency across the team is a big reason we’ve been able to sustain this recognition.”

For Roberto, the award also reflects the pride the team takes in the work itself.

“We push ourselves because this work matters,” he added. “Every day, we’re putting products onto railcars and making sure they safely get where they need to go without issues. Customers depend on us to get it right, and recognitions like this show that our commitment doesn’t go unnoticed.”

The Houston team celebrated the achievement with award dinners across all shifts — recognizing the employees whose focus and follow-through continue to drive the site’s strong safety performance.

For Adam Pingel, VP of Operations, the award reflects something larger than one facility or one year of performance.

“Eight consecutive Pinnacle Awards speaks to the kind of culture the Houston team has built over time,” said Adam. “Operational excellence doesn’t happen through shortcuts or occasional effort. It comes from people consistently doing the right things, paying attention to details, and holding each other accountable every day. We’re incredibly proud of the Houston team for continuing to raise the bar.”

Congratulations to the entire Monument Houston team on another outstanding achievement – and for continuing to demonstrate what long-term operational excellence looks like in action.