February 5, 2013 • Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development
Greater Hall Chamber's 4th Annual Industry of the Year Awards
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Over 200 industry executives and guests attended the 4th Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon in January. Sponsored by Lanier Technical College, the event included the presentation of Industry of the Year awards to small, medium and large industries in the Greater Hall area, recognizing their economic impact on the community, corporate responsibility and workforce excellence. Industry of the Year - Small Category (0 - 50 Employees) Zebra Technologies Corporation - Pao Sengkhammee, Plant Manager Zebra Technologies Corporation, a bar coding label manufacturer, located to Oakwood South Industrial Park in 2007 to a 20,000-square foot facility with 10 employees. The facility quickly grew and in 2012 expanded to 40,000-square feet investing over $1.5 million in space, new automated equipment and additional jobs. Now with 38 employees, Zebra manufactures bar coding labels for retail, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive and other industries. The company credits its success to its location and proximity to major customers, the shipping corridor, availability of quality workforce, and the strong support for manufacturing by local officials. Zebra initiated the implementation of a Flexographic Printing program with their Partner in Education, Johnson High School, to the tune of $90,000 to develop the workforce of tomorrow. Zebra was the winner of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce 2012 Environmental Stewardship Recognition Award. zebra.com Industry of the Year - Medium Category (51 - 200 Employees) BITZER US, Inc. - Mike Duffy, Plant Manager Established in Oakwood in 2001, Bitzer is an industrial compressor and pressure vessel manufacturer with worldwide distribution and sales. In the past year, Bitzer has invested $9 million in purchasing land, constructing a new building and investing in new equipment. Bitzer’s workforce has increased by 47% by adding 45 new jobs and currently has 125 employees. The Bitzer corporation ranks among the leading manufacturers of refrigerant compressors and some 3,000 employees in more than 90 countries stand behind this success. Bitzer partners with Good News at Noon and sponsors regular coat and food drives. Environmental and safety efforts are key to Bitzer's continuous improvement focus in their recycling program, and reduction of electricity and water usage. Bitzer is a Certified Drug Free Workplace. bitzerus.com Industry of the Year - Large Category (201+ Employees) Kubota Manufacturing of America Corp. Henry Kubota, President and Phil Sutton, Chief Administrative Officer Established in Gainesville in 1988 and now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Kubota Manufacturing of America produces high quality lawn and garden tractors, subcompact tractors and rough terrain vehicles. Kubota currently has 1,015 employees and made significant investments in 2012 by adding an assembly line with 95 additional employees for a completely new line of consumer turf products and by enhancing local research and development and product testing capability. Kubota is involved in several community projects including United Way, Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Leadership Hall County and the Hall County Farm Bureau. The company provides Eagle Ranch with turf equipment for their use and by mowing the large areas for them. Kubota saves Hall County over $30,000 annually in grass cutting contracts by giving Kubota access to local parks and utility sites for turf product testing. In 2012, the company adopted the brand statement "For Earth, For Life" and is committed to the cause of protecting the environment, heath and safety of our employees with a robust program. Kubota is a Certified Drug Free Workplace and proud to announce ISO 14001 certified, a strict environmental management standard, in 2012. Kubota is currently sponsoring 18 interns from Woods Mill High School and Lanier Academy. Kubota is known its industry leading wages and benefits including 100% preventative medical and dental care for members and eligible dependents. Employees take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program and enjoy annual family programs including an open house, family picnic and Christmas party. Employees participate in improving quality and productivity with Quality & Kaizen awards and two hourly members recently traveled to Japan to participate in the global skills competition. kubota-kma.com
Industry of the Year Award Recipients (L-R): Shelley Davis, VP, Existing Industry, Chamber; Pao Sengkhammee, Plant Manager, Zebra Technologies; Mike Duffy, Plant Manager, Bitzer; Henry Kubota, President, Kubota Manufacturing of America; Tim Evans, VP Economic Development, Chamber. Henry Kubota spoke about the company's opening in Gainesville in 1988. Kubota Manufacturing of America is celebrating 25 years, now with 1,000+ employees.
Event speaker was Jackie Rohosky, Assistant Commissioner, Technical College System of Georgia, and head of Quick Start.
Industry Recognition Awards (L-R): Shelley Davis, Chamber; Rainer Behrendt, President, Albert International; Greg Ours, President, Poly Enterprises; Jean-Luc Gardelle, General Manager, SKF USA Inc.; Danny Sears, Vice President, Kipper Tool; Tim Evans, Chamber. Albert International, manufacturer of bulbs, pumps, syringes and other products used in medical fields received this year’s Environmental Stewardship Award. Poly Enterprises, a molded vinyl manufacturer, received Safety Recognition. SKF USA, a ball bearings manufacturer, received Employer Recognition and Kipper Tool, an assembling and distributor of custom tool kits to business, industry and the military, was recognized for Corporate Citizenship.
Thank You Industry Appreciation Sponsors Title Sponsor: Lanier Technical College Jackson EMC – Pattillo Industrial Real Estate – Georgia Power Rushton & Company – Primary Care Clinics of Georgia Wilheit Packaging – NEGA Occupational Medicine – Wells Fargo Spherion Professional Recruiting – Adams Transfer & Storage Company Electronic Sales Company – Syfan Logistics Inc.