BUSINESS
The Paper | Thursday, August 20, 2015
7B
Braselton joins in officially welcoming Mizuno USA distribution and manufacturing center For The Paper
Aug. 12 was another international day in Braselton as the town’s mayor and council welcomed Mizuno USA to its business community with a gala ribbon-cutting of the 520,000-square-foot distribution and manufacturing center on Highway 124. The Consul General of Japan, Midori Yamamitsu, was the special guest. Mizuno USA president Bob Puccini set the stage for the Aug. 12 ceremony. Founded in 1906 in Japan and now run by the family’s third generation, the sports company’s credo is about quality, craftsmanship and technology. “Our corporate philosophy is to contribute to society through sporting goods and the advancement of sports,” said Puccini. “We’ve been in Norcross since 1982, and Braselton was selected because of the incredible infrastructure – the international airport, interstates and ports – along with the skilled workforce,” he added. Georgia Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr was the keynote speaker. “Three-fourths of our department’s announcements are about expansions like this. Our business relationship with Japan began 40 years ago, and there are 418 Japanese facilities in Georgia employing 25,000 Georgians.” Mizuno USA leased the facility in February of 2014, and began renovations a year ago. The building has two miles of conveyance,
high speed merge sorter, zone route technology supported by camera-based scanning technology and a three-story pick module. Mizuno is employing 160. Barrow County Chamber of Commerce president Tommy Jennings said, “There is a wonderful synergy in Barrow County.” And John Creasman, Mizuno vice president of supply chain, said, “This has been a 17-month journey to serve customers in the United States, Canada and Central America.” Braselton Mayor Bill Orr said, “This is business at its best – a welcoming and partnering community recognized by the international company, realization and detailed planning for business growth, installation and application of the highest technologies and Mizuno’s product line of golf, running, volleyball and diamond sports equipment. It’s a fabulous formula.” Cutting the ribbon inside the Mizuno facility was Guy Herring, Barrow County economic and community development director; State Sen. Ginn; Mizuno VP John Creasman; Braselton Council members Tony Funari and Peggy Slappey; Braselton Mayor Bill Orr; Chris Carr, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development; Mizuno president Bob Puccini; and Barrow County Chamber of Commerce president Tommy Jennings. The invited dignitaries also showed off some Mizuno sports equipment for a photo opportunity.
Cutting the ribbon inside the Mizuno facility was (L-R) Guy Herring, Barrow County economic and community development director; State Sen. Ginn; Mizuno VP John Creasman; Braselton Council members Tony Funari and Peggy Slappey; Braselton Mayor Bill Orr; Chris Carr, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development; Mizuno president Bob Puccini; and Barrow County Chamber of Commerce president Tommy Jennings. Below: Showing off Mizuno sports equipment was (L-R) State Sen. Frank Ginn, Commissioner Chris Carr, Councilman Tony Funari, Mayor Bill Orr, Councilwoman Peggy Slappey, Mizuno president Bob Puccini and Barrow County Chamber president Tommy Jennings.
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...business at its best – a welcoming and partnering community recognized by the international company, realization and detailed planning for business growth.... Braselton Mayor Bill Orr
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