The Greater Hall Chamber’s 2013 Industry of the Year Awards were presented at the 5th Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon on November 7th at the Chattahoochee Country Club. Sponsored by Lanier Technical College and Rushton & Company, the awards honor area existing industry leaders based on economic impact, workforce excellence and corporate responsibility.
Gainesville-Hall County is home to 47 Fortune 500 firms, over 300 manufacturing and processing concerns, and 42 international companies. The Greater Hall Chamber continues to focus on the importance of existing industries in Gainesville-Hall County Georgia, and business remains strong. In the last 24 months, 58 new and expanded businesses created 2,200 jobs and generated $283 million in capital investment for Gainesville-Hall County.
2013 Industry of the Year – SMALL Category (1-50 Employees)
American Yazaki, Inc.
Yasuo Yazaki – President; Terry Merck – Plant Manager
Only three years in Hall County, and American Yazaki has 27 employees and manufactures plastic fuel tanks for the Yamaha 4-Wheelers, Viking UTV and Honda small engines, all meeting EPA evaporative regulations. The company is making tremendous investments to accommodate the production of added products such as a new line of ink cartridge containers for high capacity printing. They invested $15 million for new robotic lines and will invest another $6 million for new line in 2014. Both products require the additional hiring of eight (8) employees, and they offer hands on robotic training for those with the desire to learn the trade.
2013 Industry of the Year – MEDIUM Category (51-200 Employees)
Processing Equipment Solutions
Jim Edwards – CEO; Mike Jones – Vice President; Stacey Turner – Plant Manager; Philip Hurwitz – Director of Sales
Processing Equipment Solutions (PES) located to Hall County in 2001 and currently has 55 employees. PES is a locally owned and operated CNC machine and fabrication facility specializing in meat/food processing equipment. This year the company located to a larger, 100,000 square foot facility and will continue to invest in new equipment, new technologies, and new efficiency programs for improved processes. The utilization of new robotic technology has led to increased sales, additional skilled positions, higher efficiency and lower operational costs. This company proudly supports all employees’ children in local sports and school functions as well as The March of Dimes. Employees also enjoy a matched 401K plan, annual employee celebrations, and bonuses based on performance.
2013 Industry of the Year – LARGE Category (201+ Employees)
Milliken and Company New Holland Plant
Jared Morgan – Plant Manager
112 years in Hall County, Milliken and Company’s New Holland Plant in Gainesville currently has 230 employees. The textile company spins raw cotton, polyester and Nomex into yarn. The yarn is then used to manufacture items such as ball caps, duct tape, uniforms and napery. Located in a 5-story building built in 1899, this company is one of, if not the oldest, operating company in Hall County. Zero landfill was this company’s goal, and they met it. Additionally, an intense focus on safety has paid off, as the company now holds OSHA VPP status.
2013 Environmental Stewardship Recognition
ElringKlinger USA, Inc.
Joerg Kosteyn – President; Sebastian Fees – Production Manager
ElringKlinger USA is a worldwide development partner and original equipment supplier of cylinder-head and specialty gaskets, plastic housing modules, shielding components for engine, transmission, exhaust systems and underbody, exhaust gas purification technology as well as battery and fuel cell components to almost all of the world’s vehicle and engine manufacturers. The company located to Hall County in 2008 and employs 200 people. They recycle all aluminum and stainless steel scrap from their operation as an automotive supplier as well as have an annual employee awards program for those who provide the best process improvement suggestions. ElringKlinger recently purchased 14 acres of land in Hall County for future expansion.
2013 Safety Recognition
Kipper Tool Company
Danny Sears – CFO; Jim O’dell – Safety Manager
An American Woman-Owned Small Business, Kipper Tool Company is an authorized distributor for over 300 tool and industrial supply manufacturers. The company located to Hall County 21 years ago and is committed to providing industrial quality tool and custom tool kits to business, industry and government agencies. With 77 employees the company primarily develops tool systems for the military in addition to tool “cribs” for use domestically and internationally for companies such as Southern Power, Siemens and Turbine Pros. Kipper ranks at the top in safety and has been without a lost workday for four (4) years. Kipper employees receive weekly safety communications and monthly formal trainings – including items about staying safe inside and outside of work.
2013 Employer Recognition
Aerocom Systems, Inc.
Richard H. Beaty – President; Ron Miller – Vice President
Aerocom Systems, Inc. has over 80 years of design development and manufacturing experience in pneumatic tube systems worldwide and has been in Hall County for 15 years. With 17 employees, the company is dedicated to innovative solutions consistent with healthcare’s contemporary trends in station technology using pneumatic tube systems. The company has created new jobs in the weakened economy and used local vendors to keep money at home. Employees enjoy a retirement plan and tuition reimbursement among benefits. Employees are encouraged to be involved and to give back in support of the charities of their choice. The company believes in encouraging their people to grow and set attainable goals and rewards work place excellence.
2013 Corporate Citizenship Recognition
IMS Gear Georgia Inc.
Barry Anderson – President
Locating to Hall County 18 years ago, IMS Gear Georgia currently has 222 employees and manufactures components and actuator systems for the automotive industry. IMS has seen extraordinary growth over the past couple of years and in 2014, the company projects to increase to 260 employees and add $8 million in capital investment. In order to continue to meet talent development needs, IMS Gear takes its Partner In Education role seriously – not only partnering with local K-12 schools but also working with Lanier Technical College and the University of North Georgia in workforce development.