2014 Industry of the Year Awards

The Greater Hall Chamber’s 2014 Industry of the Year Awards were presented at the 6th Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon on November 13th at the Chattahoochee Country Club. Sponsored by Lanier Technical College, the awards honor area existing industry leaders based on economic impact, workforce excellence and corporate responsibility. 

The Greater Hall Chamber continues to focus on the importance of existing industries in Gainesville-Hall County Georgia, and business remains strong.   In 2013-2014, new and expanded businesses created 1,050 new jobs and generated $170 million in capital investment for Gainesville-Hall County.  

2014 INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR AWARDS

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 14 years. With 31 employees, 17 of which are in Hall County, the company is dedicated to innovative solutions consistent with healthcare’s contemporary trends in station technology using pneumatic tube systems.  This year the company renovated its building and added jobs.  Aerocom is developing a special tube system for WalMart that will enable the transportation of prescriptions from their internal pharmacy to customer drive up lanes.  With this potential sales revenue, Aerocom anticipates expanding their warehouse space to allow for the new product line.  In 2013, the company received the Greater Hall County’s Employer Recognition Award for dedication to its employees with outstanding safety records and a quality benefit package.

Syfan Logistics is a full-scale, asset-based logistics management company and 3PL Logistics Management Company headquartered in Gainesville and serving the most demanding shipping needs for temperature-controlled, dry or flat loads.  With on-time pickup and delivery throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada, the company also provides trucking delivery for special expedited and time-critical loads.  With over 40 years in the industry, company CEO Jim Syfan and his two sons, Greg and Steve, founded the business in 2011 and now employs 176 people.  In three years, Syfan Logistics has launched new products, increased sales, expanded and renovated facilities, added new equipment, and added new jobs.  In just three short years, their companies have grown to annual revenue that took their previous companies 23 years to achieve. Increased sales and new products in 2014 created a 65%increase over 2013.  Much of this increase is attributed to the expansion of Intermodal services.  The company is making a $21 million annual economic impact on Gainesville-Hall County.  For 2015, the company plans an additional 45% increase in revenue growth.

Since the company’s humble beginnings in 1950 in a little town called Hilo, on the “big island” of Hawaii, King’s Hawaiian has remained committed to quality, integrity and Aloha Spirit.  Today, three generations of the Taira family continue the legacy of serving up irresistibly delicious breads and Hawaiian foods.  King’s Hawaiian located a new bakery to Hall County in 2011 and now employs 350 people.  The company has constructed two plants, three manufacturing lines and invested over $100 million in Hall County.  Both their investment and job creation are significantly higher than the original commitment made to the community in 2010. In 2015, the company expects to have over 600 employed.   The company has integrated itself in the community and is a Partner in Education and maintains a close relationship with Lanier Technical College.  Environmental safety and product quality are top goals for the organization that has been recognized by Governor Deal for efforts in environmental care.

Marel Stork Poultry Processing has been in business in Gainesville-Hall County for 70 years.  With the most complete product range and the largest installed base worldwide, Marel Stork Poultry Processing offers in-line poultry processing solutions for all process steps and all processing capacities.  The company has dedicated processing systems for broilers, turkeys and ducks. With 240 employees, the company updated its facility this year and expanded portfolio products that will allow for the addition of employees.  Marel Stork is a certified Drug Free Workplace and has an Employee Safety Committee.  The company recognizes employee educational efforts and plans to expand internships with Lanier Tech for skills training.  They offer a retirement plan, apprenticeships, tuition reimbursement, flexible hours (compressed work week), and free annual health screenings.

Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, the company has nearly 150 years of experience, 145,000 employees in 67 countries, and is committed to feeding the world in a responsible way while reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where employees live and work.  Cargill located to Gainesville-Hall County 48 years ago and currently has 310 employees.  Cargill Gainesville supplies animal feed to the local poultry industry and dressings, sauces, and oils to food service industries.  Cargill hosts blood drives, is involved with Challenged Child, as well as United Way and is a Partner in Education.  Cargill is the recipient of the Greater Hall Chamber’s 2010 Industry of the Year Award as well as the 2012 Employer Recognition Award.

KIK Custom Products is a consumer product contract manufacturer that located to Hall County in 1994.  In 2014, KIK Gainesville manufactured over 250 new personal care consumer products. Over the last seven years, the organization has averaged almost $2 million annually in capital investments and currently has 250 employees.  KIK has an outstanding environmental safety program.  They now recycle or reclaim all unutilized alcohols used in manufacturing.  They also conduct compressed air energy audits and have converted to energy efficient lighting.  Water conservation initiatives include utilizing metered water nozzles and behavioral and culture based training initiatives.  They hold a world class injury rate, and in 2013 KIK Gainesville was the recipient of the company’s President’s Award for best overall plant in terms of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability.

Tatsumi Intermodal USA is an inventory management provider and stores manufactured or retail goods safely and efficiently at its full-service warehousing and distribution industrial facility in Gainesville.  The warehousing and shipping operation located to Gainesville 12 years ago and now employs 70 people.  Tatsumi has no recordable lost time accidents in 2013. Tatsumi is a certified Drug Free Workplace and has an Employee Safety Committee.  They have a quality recycling program and strive to reduce energy and electrical usage.  They recently converted to energy saving lighting. Tatsumi is currently pursuing an ISO 9000 certification, an effective quality assurance system.

Gainesville-Hall County, Georgia is a vibrant and growing community located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounded by beautiful Lake Sidney Lanier, the area offers an unparalleled quality of life and a sound economic future for business and industry. Gainesville-Hall County is home to 47 Fortune 500 firms, over 300 manufacturing and processing concerns, and 42 international companies.  www.greaterhallchamber.com