With 14 years of experience in the fertilizer industry, Matthew Parsons Cohrs exemplifies the unique balance between innovation and practicality required to maintain and improve operations at a smaller facility. As a Facility Engineer at Trademark Nitrogen, Matthew’s work is rooted in problem-solving, safety enhancements, and fostering collaboration among his team.
The Challenge of Safety and Maintenance Upgrades
Safety is at the core of Matthew’s role, and at Trademark Nitrogen, it’s approached systematically. “We’ve been proactively upgrading our safety showers to stainless steel,” Matthew says. “These improvements provide a longer lifespan in a tough manufacturing environment while ensuring more reliable and user-friendly operation”
Another critical area of focus is improving safety showers. Florida’s intense sunlight and heat can wear down plastic materials, leading to potential safety risks. “We’ve been upgrading the safety showers to stainless steel,” Matthew says. “These upgrades not only have a longer lifespan but are more user-friendly. If someone needs to use a safety station and it doesn’t work because the materials have degraded, that’s a serious hazard we can’t afford.”
Fostering Innovation and Team Collaboration
For Matthew, innovation stems from teamwork and open communication. “There’s no such thing as a stupid idea,” he says. “Sometimes, someone brings up an idea we’ve tried before, but it’s always worth discussing. Why didn’t it work then? Could it work now?”
By creating structured forums for discussions—whether during twice-monthly housekeeping meetings or quarterly sustainability sessions—Matthew ensures his team has a dedicated space to share ideas. “A lot of people have thoughts while doing their day-to-day work, like, ‘I wish we did this differently,’” he shares. “By giving them opportunities to speak up, we can brainstorm solutions together.”
A Hands-On Problem Solver
Matthew’s approach to maintenance is just as collaborative. “If someone comes to me with an issue, I like to walk out there with them and ask, ‘What do you think we should do to fix it?’” he says. “Usually, the person reporting the problem also has an idea for solving it. That kind of collaboration can lead to the best solutions.”
He also acknowledges the challenges of working in an older facility. “Things tend to break down at a higher rate, especially when you’re running acidic materials through the lines,” Matthew shares. “It’s about staying on top of preventive maintenance while planning for realistic component life cycles we know equipment will wear out and have to be prepared for when that happens.”
Committed to Continuous Improvement
Matthew’s dedication to safety and innovation doesn’t just stop at resolving current issues. He looks at every problem as an opportunity to improve for the future. “ If we identify an area of the plant that is lacking proper handrail or a suitable access platform, we ask, ‘Can this task be re-engineered to eliminate the hazard?’ If not can we install equipment or add tie-off points to improve the safety and efficiency of work in the area.”
Through his commitment to collaboration, safety, and continuous learning, Matthew Parsons Cohrs is not just maintaining operations at Trademark Nitrogen—he’s paving the way for a safer, more innovative future in the fertilizer industry.
