Many of you have probably noticed the frequent use of the hexagon shape in our marketing materials, including on our PowerPoint briefs, our tri-fold brochure, our Company Overview materials, and in various backgrounds and imagery in our newsletter, The Forge. Some have even asked me “Why all the hexagons?” 

So, after a bit of writer’s block thinking about what to write about in my article this quarter, I decided that the hexagon - and why we’re using it in our marketing - would be the topic of discussion. (Bear with me, it hopefully won’t be as boring as it sounds….)

I could provide you a million complicated, sophisticated reasons for the use of the hexagon. I could say that we chose the hexagon because it represents efficiency (like the shape of a honeycomb). I could say that we chose the hexagon because it represents utility (most common nuts and bolts are hex shaped). 

I could even put my “Bill Nye the Science Guy” hat on and say that the hexagon was chosen because it represents strength (the strongest material on earth, graphene, has an atomic pattern in the shape of a hexagon). 

Alas, the reason for using the hexagon is far less mind-blowing: we used the hexagon because it has six sides. So why is the number six important? Six is important because we have SIX fundamental principles in our THOR Corporate Culture:

INTEGRITY: Doing the right thing, 100% of the time, in all aspects of our operations.

SELF-DISCIPLINE: Having the inner drive to produce maximum results and contribute to something great.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Empowering our employees to take ownership at the line level.

INNOVATION: Using technology as an accelerator, turning potential into results.

TEAMWORK: Working together, regardless of company or Command affiliation, to provide exceptional products and services to our customers.

RESPECT: Consistently demonstrating respect for our coworkers, our customers, and our industry partners - fostering an environment of trust and camaraderie.

We wanted a symbol that reminded folks of what we consistently want to be, and how we want to do business as a company and as individuals. These core principles are not just ‘lip service’ to me, or to the rest of our Executive Team. They represent what we want in a company, what we expect in ourselves, and what we expect in our THOR family members. And, I am delighted to say that on a daily basis, I witness or hear about hard-working THOR employees that are embracing these traits as they put the “Fleet First.”

I have full confidence that if we maintain this culture, we will have an exceptionally productive company, full of motivated and rewarded people, accomplishing great things. So…as a company, how do we ensure THOR and our employees continue to maintain these characteristics as we continue to grow? We can’t simply snap our fingers and make it so. Each and every one of us, from the top of the organization down, needs to remain diligent, continue to embrace the culture, and live it every day. 

If we embody these traits, we cannot fail.