December 3, 2013 • Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development
Awards recognize existing industries in Gainesville-Hall County
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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 Chamber continues to focus on the importance of existing industries in Gainesville-Hall County. 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. American Yazaki Corporation (1-50 Employees) 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 Terry Merck (center), Plant Manager, American Yazaki line of ink cartridge containers accepts Industry of Year Award from Tim Evans, for high capacity printing. They Chamber Vice President of Economic Development (left) invested $15 million for new and Shelley Davis, Vice President of Existing Industry. 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. yazaki-corp.co.jp/eng/ Milliken & Company New Holland Plant (201+ Employees) With 112 years in Hall County, Milliken & 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 Jared Morgan (center), Plant Manager, Milliken and built in 1899, this company Company New Holland Plant receives Industry of the Year Award from Tim Evans, Chamber Vice President is one of, if not the oldest, of Economic Development (left) and Shelley Davis, Vice operating company in Hall President of Existing Industry. 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. milliken.com ElringKlinger USA (Environmental Stewardship Recognition) 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 in Hall County for future expansion. elringklinger.com
Processing Equipment Solutions (PES) (51-200 Employees) 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 continues Philip Hurwitz, Director of Sales, Processing Equipment to invest in new equipment, Solutions receives Industry of the Year Award from Tim technologies, and efficiency Evans, Chamber Vice President of Economic Development programs. The utilization and Shelley Davis, Vice President of Existing Industry. of new robotic technology has led to increased sales, additional skilled positions, higher efficiency and lower operational costs. This company supports all employees' children and school functions as well as The March of Dimes. Employees enjoy a matched 401K plan, annual employee celebrations, and bonuses based on performance. pesparts.com
Recipients of Recognition Awards (L-R): Shelley Davis, Chamber VP of Existing Industry; Sebastian Fees, Production Manager, ElringKlinger (Environmental Stewardship); Jim O’Dell, Safety Manager, Kipper Tool Company (Safety Recognition); Richard Beaty, President, Aerocom Systems (Employer Recogition); Barry Anderson, President, IMS Gear (Corporate Citizenship); Tim Evans, Chamber VP of Economic Development.
Kipper Tool Company (Safety Recognition) is an American Woman-Owned Small Business and 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 quality 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 and has been without a lost workday for four years. Kipper employees receive weekly safety communications and monthly formal trainings, including items about staying safe inside and outside of work. kippertool.com Aerocom Systems, Inc. (Employer Recognition) 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 and 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. aerocom-usa.com IMS Gear Georgia Inc. (Corporate Citizenship Recognition) located to Hall County 18 years ago, 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. IMS Gear takes its Partner In Education role seriously – partnering with local K-12 schools along with Lanier Technical College and the University of North Georgia in workforce development. imsgear.com