For John Ledford, a career at Nippon Sanso Matheson is built one step at a time through, a commitment to safety, hard work and a willingness to keep learning. John joined Nippon Sanso Matheson in 2016 and now serves as Terminal Manager for the West Point and Wake Forest bulk terminals, overseeing daily operations from the West Point bulk terminal in North Chesterfield, Virginia.
A U.S. Navy submarine veteran, John is also a husband and father of three. His career journey has taken him from driver-to-driver trainer, lead driver, and now terminal manager, a progression he considers one of his proudest accomplishments.
Work hard, follow company policies and be honest.
John
John’s days begin with reviewing reports and attending meetings before shifting his focus to managing terminal operations, supporting drivers and resolving equipment issues. Above all, he sees his primary responsibility as ensuring the safe operation of his terminals. Years of hands-on experience have given him the practical knowledge to troubleshoot challenges and help keep operations running smoothly.
One of the things John appreciates most about working at Nippon Sanso Matheson is that safety is the number one priority. “I enjoy the safety culture at Nippon Sanso Matheson, and I also enjoy being around my fellow employees,” he said. “Our Right of Refusal policy stands out to me because other companies will talk the talk, but they don’t walk the walk.”
John’s efforts make an impact, as noted by Bryan Schroeder, Director of Logistics Services. “Nippon Sanso Matheson has set a remarkable operational standard over the last five years for on-time deliveries” Bryan said. “This achievement stands as a testament to our team’s pride in quality and John’s instrumental leadership in driving these results.”
Collaboration is another important part of John’s role. He works closely with his drivers and mechanics each day to solve problems and keep operations moving efficiently. For new employees, his advice is straightforward: “Work hard, follow company policies and be honest.”
When he’s away from work, John enjoys spending time with his family and hitting the golf course.
That mindset of continually striving to improve has helped shape John’s career and continues to guide the leadership he brings to his team every day.
Inspired by John’s story? If you’re a safety-focused leader who enjoys solving problems, supporting a team, and keeping operations running efficiently, a career with Nippon Sanso Matheson may be the perfect fit. Whether you’re interested in operations, transportation, or terminal management, you’ll have the opportunity to make an impact while working alongside dedicated professionals who put safety first. Nippon Sanso Matheson takes pride in our On-Time Bulk Delivery Rate that people like John help maintain each day. Explore our open opportunities and discover where a career with Nippon Sanso Matheson can take you:
About Nippon Sanso Matheson
Nippon Sanso Matheson, Inc. is a single source for industrial, medical, specialty and electronic gases, gas handling equipment, welding and safety supplies, proprietary purification systems including NANOCHEM® which can purify to 99.99999999% levels, cryogenic food freezers which are engineered, designed and manufactured in house to customer specific needs, inventory management systems, engineering and gas management services, and on-site gas generation with a mission to deliver innovative solutions for global customer requirements. As part of the Nippon Sanso Holdings Group, Nippon Sanso Matheson is one of the world’s largest suppliers of gases for industrial, medical, specialty and electronic applications, and has expertise in supplying semiconductor and chip manufacturers, with leading technical support.
The Nippon Sanso Holdings Corporation is the world’s fourth-largest supplier of industrial, electronic, and medical gases, operating in four geographic regions – Japan, U.S., Europe and Asia & Oceania – covering over 30 countries and regions. In addition, the Thermos business supplies THERMOS branded products to more than 120 countries worldwide. Since its foundation as Nippon Sanso Ltd. in 1910, the group stands for creating social value through innovative gas solutions that increase industrial productivity, enhance human well-being and contribute to a more sustainable future. With more than 20,000 employees, together, we are “The Gas Professionals” and we all have the same goal: “Making life better through gas technology”
