economic development
2020 Industry of the Year Awards Congratulations to the Industry of the Year Award Recipients announced at the 12th Annual Industry Appreciation Awards Luncheon presented by the Chamber and Lanier Technical College in November. Ranger Manufacturing received the Industry of the Year Award in the small-size employer category (1-50 employees). (L-R) Mike McGraw, Jim Edwards, Mike Jones and Stacey Turner. Ranger is an innovative machining and fabrication shop that combines engineering with manufacturing capabilities in laser cutting, CNC machining, welding, metal forming and assembly. They also manufacture their own patented products sold through an online store and Grainger, offering some of the best bolt-cutter-proof locks in the business. Despite the company’s small size of 19 employees, Ranger Manufacturing has placed a high priority on developing its workforce. The company is participating in two apprenticeships and will soon start a Work Based Learning partnership for local high school students. Since locating to Gainesville-Hall County in 2013, Ranger has expanded beyond making its own products to a full service manufacturing operation servicing many local industries and have not had one lost-time accident. rangermfg.com • Online Store: rangerlock.com
Wilheit Packaging received the Industry of the Year Award in the medium-size employer category (51-200 employees). (L-R) Nikki Chandler, Chamber VP Existing Industry; Philip Wilheit, Sr., President, and Philip Wilheit, Jr., Partner, Wilheit Packaging; Tim Evans, Chamber VP Economic Development. Since 1953, Wilheit Packaging has provided great service to customers while suppling quality packaging materials at a fair price. Their commitment of time, leadership and financial support has been consistent and foundational to many non-profit organizations. Wilheit Packaging employs more than 100 full-time associates that earn competitive wages, a 401K plan and a full benefits package including 100% of employees’ health care and year-end bonuses. The company has a tradition of developing talent and promoting from within including mechanics, drivers and fork lift drivers. Wilheit Packaging is constantly innovating new services to meet customer needs, including an award winning and robust corrugated recycling program. wilheit.com Hydro is the Industry of the Year Award recipient in the large employer category (200+ employees). (L-R) Danny Colaris, Travis Wood, Melinda Gailey, Louis Valencia. Hydro’s Gainesville location has been extruding aluminum profiles for over 30 years for applications from architecture to transportation. The company’s 430 employees in Gainesville are part of a global business operating in 40 countries with 36,000 employees. Over the years, the Gainesville operation has gone by the names Indalex, Sapa and more recently as Hydro Extrusion (pronounced “heedrow”). Hydro, founded in Norway in 1905, has established a philosophy of business “the Hydro Way,” which encourages participating in creating a viable society of sustainability and community engagement. Sustainability is at the core of Hydro’s business in the reuse and recycling of aluminum. Hydro invests heavily in its employees to develop new skills and maintain their outstanding safety record. The Gainesville location has also taken steps toward establishing an apprenticeship program through Lanier Technical College. In addition to providing signing and retention bonuses, Hydro offers quarterly gain-share bonuses. hydro.com December 2020 | GreaterHallChamber.com
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