The Greater Hall Chamber’s 2016 Industry of the Year Awards were presented at the 8th Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon on November 10 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. For 2015 through 2016 year-to-date, 43 new and expanded businesses have announced the creation of 1,800 new jobs and $427 million in capital investment for Gainesville Hall County.
2016 Industry of the Year Awards
Small Employer Category
Murray Plastics, Inc.
Bill Hall, President
1922 Old Candler Road, Gainesville, GA 30507
www.murrayplasctics.com
Murray Plastics specializes in custom plastic injection molding. For 18 years, Murray Plastics has been serving customers as well as manufacturing companies in the Greater Hall area. The company employs 37 people, and with each new year they strive to promote manufacturing in America and in Georgia specifically. In 2016, Murray Plastics added six new jobs, two injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment. The company attributes their success to continually working to improve the flow of operations to serve their increasing sales to both new and existing customers. Murray Plastics is anticipating a 15% increase in annual sales revenue for the third year in a row. They are active supporters of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, in particular the Industry Roundtable and the workforce development component of the Vision 2030 initiative. They also support the Gainesville Rotary Club – taking full work days, and time away from the plant to build wheelchair ramps for those in need. In keeping with the spirit of philanthropy, Murray Plastics hires from recovery programs and transition centers in order to give people a second chance in life and in their career.
Medium Employer Category
Tatsumi Intermodal USA, Inc.
Satoshi Nishino, President and CEO
Arrik Williams, Business Expansion Manager
2850 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville, GA 30501
www.tatsumiusa.com
Tatsumi Intermodal specializes in international logistics services primarily for Kubota Manufacturing of America and Shintone. Tatsumi plans to expand their footprint for the fourth time since establishing operations in Hall County 16 years ago. The latest expansion is the largest with the acquisition of 34 acres in Gateway Industrial Park. In the next year, the company plans to increase their workforce by 5% and invest in new equipment to support their expansion efforts. The company is proud to be a Certified Drug Free Workplace and offers CPR certification to all employees. In addition to being drug free, the company maintains safety records that are higher than the industry average.
Large Employer Category
SKF USA Inc.
Douglas H. Baum, President
Said Mendez, Manager of Operations
5385 McEver Road, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
www.skf.com
SKF USA Inc. is a leading manufacturer of bearings for automotive and industrial. They have been located in the Greater Hall area for forty-two years and currently employ 260 people. Over the next two years, SKF USA will invest in additional jobs, manufacturing processes and technologies for new production at their Flowery Branch factory to support their customers and expanded Industrial and Automotive business.
In addition to growing in Hall County, SKF is deeply involved in our community. They support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity and the South Hall Food Pantry. They participate in the Hall County Green Alliance, Keep Hall Beautiful, and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce; serving as a Partner in Education. Developing their employee’s knowledge and skills is a key focus demonstrated by their commitment to its apprenticeship program with Lanier Technical College, support of the Don Nunn College Scholarship Fund at the University of North Georgia, employee tuition reimbursement program, and their new on-site employee learning center.
SKF USA employees work hard making some of the most technically advanced bearings in the world, but also have fun at the Annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, Christmas Party, Family Day Picnic and Employee Lunches and Dinners to celebrate our manufacturing achievements and safety performance. SKF holds multiple industry certifications including ISO 14001 Environmental Standard, OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Standard, and ISO 50001 Energy Standard.
Corporate Responsibility
The Sherwin Williams Company
Bill Diemert, Area Director of Distribution
Ryan Gray, Human Resources Manager
930 Sherwin Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518
www.sherwin-williams.com
The Sherwin Williams Company is an American Fortune 500 company, and the Buford facility is a Distribution Center serving over 600 Sherwin Williams stores in the Southeastern U.S. with some 270 people. Due to outstanding growth, the Buford Distribution Center has added 100,000 square feet and 40 full time positions in the past year. Sherwin Williams shines in the area of corporate responsibility and takes pride in making our local organizations stronger and more sustainable. Organizations supported include the Children’s Resource Network, Relay for Life and Toys for Tots. The Sherwin Williams company also incentivizes their employees by matching employee contributions to local charitable organizations up to 150% in celebration of the company’s 150 years of operation. Employees also enjoy subsidized gym memberships, tuition reimbursement, tobacco cessation and adoption assistance.
Environmental Stewardship
FAE USA, Inc.
Giorgio Carera, CEO
Fabrizio Bastone, General Manager
5321 Rafe Banks Drive, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
www.fae-group.com/us
FAE USA is a leading distributor of forestry and construction land clearing attachments. The Italian-based company has been located in Oakwood South Industrial Park for a decade and employs 15 people. FAE stands out for their environmental stewardship. This year they have reduced their energy and water usage and banned smoking on their property. FAE contributes to Elachee Nature Science Center in Gainesville. The company holds annual events for employees and their families, such as holiday parties that create a more productive and happy environment for the entire staff.
Safety Culture
Georgia Powder Coating
Counte Cooley, President
Dallas Cooley, Vice President
100 Zander Drive, Gainesville, GA 30504
www.georgiapowdercoating.com
Georgia Powder Coating provides powder coating to companies throughout the entire United States. They have been located in Gainesville for 17 years and employ 49 people. Over the last year they have expanded their customer base, increased sales, and invested in new equipment. Georgia Powder Coating safety culture sets them apart. They offer CPR certification to the employees and have installed AED machines. They are proud to be a Certified Drug Free workplace. Since the implementation of an Employee Safety Committee, the company has seen a reduction in safety issues. Each month Georgia Powder Coating recognizes an employee of the month for their commitment to the company’s core values.
Workforce Excellence
Gold Creek Foods LLC
Mark Sosebee, CEO
Adriana Carney, HR Director
2255 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville, GA 30501
www.goldcreekfoods.com
Gold Creek Foods is a poultry processor specializing in custom portioning of all poultry products for both domestic U.S. and over 30 countries throughout the world. The Gold Creek Foods plant employs 800 people in Gainesville-Hall County since locating here five years ago. Employees are treated to annual Back to School Events, Mothers and Father’s Day cookouts, and discounted rates at the YMCA. Also a free company nurse, clinic, and annual health and hearing screening reflects Gold Creek’s willingness to go above and beyond to give back to their employees. In the last year, Gold Creek expanded their building and added over 100 new positions with plans to add another 100 new employees next year to operate a new further processing line. The company is strongly committed to the Hall County Community with recent primary sponsorships of Rio on the Water, YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Club.