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June 20, 2018Tampa, FL, United StatesLabor Exploitation

19 Florida companies attend IMAGE ceremony

IMAGE program ensures legal, authorized workforce
Three new companies and 16 companies that joined last year were recognized by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE at a recent ceremony. IMAGE stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. As part of this agreement, CHEP Services, LLC, HBF Tampa Partners JV, LLC and Hojeij Branded Foods, LLC, have pledged to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. Three new companies and 16 companies that joined last year were recognized by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE at a recent ceremony. IMAGE stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. As part of this agreement, CHEP Services, LLC, HBF Tampa Partners JV, LLC and Hojeij Branded Foods, LLC, have pledged to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. Three new companies and 16 companies that joined last year were recognized by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE at a recent ceremony. IMAGE stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. As part of this agreement, CHEP Services, LLC, HBF Tampa Partners JV, LLC and Hojeij Branded Foods, LLC, have pledged to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. As part of the ICE IMAGE agreement, CHEP Services, LLC, HBF Tampa Partners JV, LLC and Hojeij Branded Foods, LLC, have pledged to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education.

TAMPA, Florida — Three new companies and 16 companies that joined last year were recognized by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE at a recent ceremony.

IMAGE stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. As part of this agreement, CHEP Services, LLC, HBF Tampa Partners JV, LLC and Hojeij Branded Foods, LLC, have pledged to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. To qualify for IMAGE certification, companies must perform the following requirements:

  • Complete the IMAGE Self-Assessment Questionnaire (Application);
  • Enroll in the E-Verify program within 60 days;
  • Establish a written hiring and employment eligibility verification policy that includes internal Form I-9 audits at least once per year; and
  • Submit to a Form I-9 inspection.

The companies being awarded the Certificate of IMAGE Membership are Southeastern Grocers, Enexio US and Tampa Marine Terminals LLC, and their subsidiaries, who have all met the above requirements.

"These partnerships showcase the business world's commitment to our national security, as well as the security of their employees and customers," said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. "We want to thank these companies for helping ensure the employment of a legal workforce, a key component of responsible corporate citizenship."

CHEP Services, LLC is part of the Australian-based Brambles Limited group ("Brambles Group") of companies established in 2018 to support the CHEP USA business with the manufacturing and repair of the business' pallet products. CHEP Services, LLC has 87 sites throughout the US with a presence in 28 states. Those sites are made up of service centers and on-site locations supporting the businesses customer base. CHEP Services, LLC currently has over 1650 employees.

HBF Tampa Partners JV, LLC and Hojeij Branded Foods, LLC…Hojeij Branded Foods, LLC (parent company) operates as concessions services firm in U.S. based airports. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia and operating in 120 locations at top 37 airports in the country with a portfolio of 45+ high-quality national, regional, and local brands. From their humble beginnings as a female-owned ACDBE company operating gourmet coffee shops at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), HBF has rapidly grown over the last 20 years to become a prime operator at ATL, Salt Lake City International Airport, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport – in addition to trailblazing operations at 10 other airports around the country. HBF's airport locations encompass everything from casual dining brew pubs, to organic food European-style markets employing over 2,700 people.

Southeastern Grocers, LLC parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is the fifth largest conventional supermarket in the U.S. The company employs more than 50,000 associates who serve customers in grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies throughout the seven southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and loyal associates, and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www.bi-lo.com, www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.

Southeastern Grocers signed IMAGE membership agreements for the following 8 companies: BI-LO, LLC; Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.; Winn-Dixie Supermarkets, Inc.; Winn-Dixie Montgomery, LLC; Winn-Dixie Raleigh, LLC; Winn-Dixie Logistics, LLC; Dixie Spirits, Inc. and Samson Merger Sub, LLC.

In 1926, the Hendry family entered the maritime business when Captain F.M. Hendry founded Hendry Corporation in Tampa. Today, the Hendry family of maritime companies provides a diverse range of maritime services, including commercial and government ship repair; marine environmental services, such as gas-freeing, lead and asbestos abatement, and brokered non-hazardous waste removal; sandblasting and coating; and maritime employee staffing.

Hendry Marine Industries, Inc. signed IMAGE membership agreements for the following 7 companies: Hendry Marine Industries, Inc.; Gulf Marine Repair Corporation; Universal Environmental Solutions, LLC; Anchor Sandblasting and Coatings, LLC; Hendry Corporation; Port Staffing, Inc., and Tampa Marine Terminals, LLC d/b/a Port Hendry Terminals, LLC. All together these companies employ over 400 employees.

Enexio US, LLC is a global-active provider in the field of industry, process, and power plant cooling as well as water and waste water treatment over decades and was newly created out of the former Heat Exchanger segment of GEA Group AG headquartered in Germany. Enexio US, LLC is the US based entity employing more than 85 full time employees with approximately 500 temporary construction workers and an annual revenue of approximately $115 million.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program enables employers to verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records.

Companies interested in more information about the IMAGE program can call 813-357-7137 or visit ICE.gov/image.

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