Our Mission
Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company will produce natural fiber, chemicals, related products, and services in a manner that enhances value for our stockholders, customers, employees, and the public.
To achieve this mission we will:
Manage our assets to produce a superior return on our stockholders' investment;
Sell high-quality, competitive products and provide superior service to our customers;
Create an environment for employees that fosters personal growth and allows individuals to achieve their full potential; and
Operate our facilities in an environmentally responsible manner, provide a safe workplace for our employees, and produce only those products we believe to be safe for customer use.
To Our Fellow Employees:
When we developed our company's Mission Statement and Principles, one of the first topics we addressed was ethical behavior. We set high standards of honesty, integrity and fairness for ourselves as individuals and as a company.
While quality chemical products have always been our company's hallmark, the underlying foundation of our success is a commitment to the highest ethical conduct. It is our fair, honest and law-abiding relationships with our fellow employees, our customers and suppliers that remain our most basic, yet most far-reaching, principle.
Outlined here are those guidelines by which we will maintain our reputation as a company that conducts business on a sound ethical and moral basis. While it is impossible to outline proper ethical decisions for every situation, this provides standards to guide our behavior.
We encourage you to review these guidelines thoroughly and apply them in all you do. If you have any questions about them, or find yourself in an uncertain business situation, please talk with your supervisor, Human Resources representative or the Legal Department.
The world in which we work and compete is presenting us with increasingly more complicated challenges. Careful attention to our daily activities will help ensure that all we do remains a credit to our good name.
Our Code of Business Conduct
Obey the Law
Adherence to the law is not the whole of a corporation's ethical responsibility, but it is the logical starting place. Employees are expected to conduct the company's operations in accordance with the laws of the countries, states and locales in which we do business.
•Keep Accurate and Complete Records
Accurate and reliable records are critical to the operations of any business. Every transaction between Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company, LLC and those with whom it deals must be reflected on the books of the company promptly, accurately and in accordance with company accounting practices as well as legal standards and generally accepted accounting principles. Undisclosed or unrecorded funds, assets of accounts are unacceptable. Deliberately false or misleading reports are inexcusable.
•Avoid Conflict of Interest
Employees must avoid any interest, influence or relationship that conflicts with the best interests of the company. No company asset or resource is to be used for personal gain, benefit or any other illegal purpose.
•Avoid Questionable Gifts or Favors
Employees may not accept nor offer gifts or favors that create, or suggest, any improper business relationship.
•Be Honest and Fair in Business Dealings
Treat customers, suppliers and competitors fairly and honestly, and in compliance with antitrust laws.
•Protect Confidential Information
Employees are responsible for protecting proprietary or confidential information, which may not be given to any individual or organization without permission.
•Exercise Fair Employment Practices
Discrimination in employment is illegal, immoral and wasteful of vitally needed human resources. Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company, LLC is committed to the belief that such discrimination is to be avoided in all aspects of its business operation.
•Create a Positive Work Place Environment
A positive, constructive environment is essential for long-term productivity and worker satisfaction. Such an environment, grounded in mutual respect, must be free of harassment for any reason - race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, handicap, veteran status, marital status, etc. No discriminatory treatment or harassment will be tolerated.
•Do Not Take or Give Bribes
Paying or taking bribes is dishonest, unfair and usually illegal. The practice is forbidden in Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company, LLC
•Be Careful With Corporate Political Contributions
Under U.S. law, corporations cannot contribute to candidates for federal office. The same is true for many state offices. If a contribution is illegal, it cannot be made, either as a direct donation of corporate funds or an "in kind" gift of corporate goods or services.
There may be restrictions on corporate political activity in other countries as well. Questions concerning political contributions should by directed to the Government Relations or Human Resources Department.
•Respect the Laws and Customs of Other Countries
Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company, LLC corporate values can and should be applied worldwide, yet certain precautions are in order with respect to international activities. Do not assume that antitrust, consumer protection, environmental and other legal standards are the same in all countries. They are not.
Remember that Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company, LLC must comply with U.S. laws governing foreign operations of American firms. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits certain payments to foreign government officials. The Anti-Boycott Statutes bar American companies from joining boycotts aimed at other countries. And U.S. antitrust laws may impact foreign transactions affecting American commerce.
We also must comply with all safety, health and environmental regulations in each of our worldwide locations, with U.S. standards as a minimum.
Our Code of Business Conduct in Practice
The Code of Business Conduct has been drawn up to serve as a reminder to all Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company, LLC employees of the serious obligation we all have to conduct the company's operations with candor, honesty and fairness toward all.
Each employee is asked to review this material with his or her supervisor. Keep in mind it is only a brief overview of a number of complex areas.
The General Counsel or his designee will be responsible for interpretation of the Code of Business Conduct and the underlying policies. Managers have a special obligation for their own awareness and communication of these guidelines to employees who report to them. Because of the importance of this matter, this responsibility cannot be delegated to subordinates.
Questions about Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company’s Code of Business Conduct or related matters should be directed to your supervisor or manager.
•Accountability: Making the System Work
o All employees are expected to apply the Arizona Fuel and Fiber Company, LLC Code of Business Conduct, and the underlying policies, in their day-today activities.
oManagers and supervisors are responsible for communicating the Code of Business Conduct to their employees and for enforcing these and the underlying policies.
o Human Resources will introduce the Code of Business Conduct to new employees.
o Internal Auditing will monitor compliance through audits of operations.
o Legal and Tax Departments will interpret the Code and the underlying policies.
o Internal Control will be responsible for additions, revisions and the general education process regarding the Code of Business Conduct.
Our Principles
We will operate with the highest ethical standards and integrity, as individuals and as a company.
We will operate in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
We will work to achieve superior profit performance.
We will operate our manufacturing plants as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
We will strive for complete customer satisfaction.
We will encourage innovation and creativity in all work.
We will encourage and reward personal initiative and team effort.
We will encourage career development and individual growth.
We will comply with all laws and regulations governing our business.
We will treat all vendors fairly and equally.
Privacy
We have created a complete privacy to insure your personal infromation is kept safe and secure from unwanted marketing efforts. Click here to read the full Privacy Policy.
My name is Tim Castleman. I am the author of this website and president of Arizona Fuel & Fiber Company, L.L.C.
My background is in the HVAC industry, the trade I learned in the US Army Corps of Engineers. I was born in Sacramento, California in August 1958. I have traveled and lived in many of the western states and currently divide my time between Arizona and my office in Sacramento.
In August of 1998 I placed my Arizona Contractors License on “inactive” status to pursue development of viable systems utilizing industrial hemp as a feedstock. My investigation soon lead me to kenaf, a remarkably similar plant to cannabis.
During this time I have traveled extensively throughout North America, and have been both a participant and attendee at several key forums, conferences and trade shows. I have assisted in planning and development activities for a remarkable oil-absorbent product, “Oil-Suck”, which is made using kenaf.
In June of 2000 I began to serve as Arizona State Coordinator for Vote Hemp Inc. and also coordinated the campaign which eventually led to SB1519, which was unfortunately vetoed by Governor Hull in April of 2001.
An offshoot of these political activities is the Hemp US Flag project, which I am still actively promoting. The driving concept is the principle that when we take responsibility for our flag, we will also be taking responsibility for our country.
I am happy to report that I see many taking action, getting involved in the process to learn about the decisions made by our leaders, and how to have an influence on those decisions. One such action involved making Bio-Diesel using hempseed oil - on the steps of the California State Capitol. Another was when I presented Hemp US Flags to Arizona State Senator Darden Hamilton & House Representative Dean Cooley.
I am also glad to share information of the many advances in alternative energy and bioproducts in general. I am available for consultation on projects of a related nature and firm believer in the value of technology exchange. That is why I created this website, and I hope you find it useful. I also set up a newsletter which I use to pass along news about several selected topics. You can choose from these during the sign up process. Its easy and you can sign off anytime with a link at the bottom of every e-mail. I sometimes send as many as one or two a week, but then may go a month with none when I get too busy. The news page has live feeds from five select sources and is where I go to keep up to date myself!
I would like to invite professionals in the following fields to contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss our possible participation and collaboration:
- Financial planning
- Market research & development
- Materials research - polymers, poly lactic acid, cellulose
- Mechanical engineering
- Chemical science
Please read the above carefully, and if you agree with our fundamental principles, you can be assured of a prompt, discreet reply to e-mail sent to aztc@fuelandfiber.com or mail your inquiry to 1058 N. Higley Rd. #108-160, Mesa, Arizona 85205.
I will also welcome your comments, suggestions or feedback at the same address.
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