DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Stan Hirata, service manager for ABC Corp., coordinates sales and delivery of industrial cleaning supplies. Robert Guillermo and Moni Moni Jr. load supplies for delivery.

Independent contractor
stayed on with business

Question: What is your basic responsibility at ABC Corp.?

Who: Stan Hirata Title: Service manager for ABC Corp. Job: Coordinates the sales of industrial cleaning supplies. Stan Hirata is a "business junkie" who applies his drive for efficiency on behalf of Waipahu-based ABC Corp., a statewide, 35-employee distributor of industrial cleaning supplies. Hirata, 41, has a master's degree in business from the University of Southern California, which he obtained by attending night classes while working days at Hughes Aircraft Co. The Honokaa High School graduate also has worked for Ogden Environmental, managed rental properties and done independent business consulting. He and his wife, Emily, have two young daughters and live in Moanalua-Salt Lake.

Answer: It's kind of an evolving role. Before, I was primarily responsible for making sure our laundry and water-treatment customers were taken care of. That was more technical and service-oriented; we're using equipment, we're programming machines, testing the water to make sure that we have the right parameters. But now I'm involved in most areas of sales as well. I also provide OSHA-required training about hazardous materials and blood pathogens.

One of the things ABC has been good at for years has been providing specialized training in the use of the chemicals that we sell. A lot of businesses just drop off the stuff they sell, but ABC has always offered personalized training on how to use the products, how to clean your facilities, how to clean your carpets, how to treat your boilers and water-cooling towers. The second generation of this business, Mr. George Morisada, was very interested in doing this. He's left quite a legacy.

Q: George Morisada died, right?

A: Yes (in 1994). His son and daughter run the business now -- Gavin (Morisada) and Emily (Kuraoka).

Q: How long have you worked for ABC Corp.?

A: For a total of about eight years -- two years as an independent contractor and six years as an employee. I initially came on board to offer suggestions on how to improve certain parts of the operation.

Q: How did you get involved with the company?

A: A friend of mine was working here, and he introduced me to the owner. It was supposed to be for just a short time, but I ended up staying on. I liked the whole part about it being a small company, where I could see the whole picture, instead of a large company like Ogden or Hughes.

Q: Do you go out in the field much?

A: I help the guys out in the field a lot. I love being out with the customers. It keeps me in touch with what the guys have to go through.