December 6, 2016 • Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Ec o no m i c De v e lop men t
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2016 Industry of the Year Awards Murray Plastics, Inc. (Small Employer Category) Specializing in custom plastic injection molding, Murray Plastics has been serving customers as well as manufacturing companies in the Greater Hall area for over 18 years. The company employs 37 people, and in 2016 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 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. murrayplastics.com Tatsumi Intermodal USA, Inc. (Medium Employer Category) Specializing in international logistics services primarily for Kubota Manufacturing of America and Shintone, Tatsumi Intermodal USA, Inc. 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. tatsumiusa.com SKF USA Inc. (Large Employer Category) A leading manufacturer of bearings for automotive and industrial use, SKF USA, Inc. has been located in the Greater Hall area for 42 years and currently employs 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. 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 holds multiple industry certifications including ISO 14001 Environmental Standard, OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Standard, and ISO 50001 Energy Standard. skf.com
(L-R): Tim Evans, Vice President Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber; Bill Hall, President, Murray Plastics (Industry of Year, Small Employer Category); Gretchen Corbin, Commissioner, Technical College System of Georgia. (L-R): Shelley Davis, VP Existing Industry, Greater Hall Chamber; Arrik Williams, Business Expansion Manager, Tatsumi Intermodal USA, Inc. (Industry of the Year, Medium Employer Category); Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. (L-R): Tim Evans, VP Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber; Saed Mendez, Manager of Operations, SKF USA Inc. (Industry of Year, Large Employer Category); Gretchen Corbin, Commissioner, Technical College System of Georgia. The Industry Appreciation Luncheon was presented by Lanier Technical College with over 350 guests attending.
The Sherwin Williams Company (Corporate Responsibility Award) An American Fortune 500 company, The Sherwin Williams Company's 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. 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. sherwin-williams.com
FAE USA, Inc. (Environmental Stewardship Award) A leading distributor of forestry and construction land clearing attachments, FAE USA is and Italian-based company located in Oakwood South Industrial Park and employs 15 people. FAE has been in South Hall for 10 years and 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. fae-group.com/us
Georgia Powder Coating (Safety Culture Award) Gainesville-based Georgia Powder Coating provides powder coating to companies throughout the entire U.S. They have been in operation for 17 years and employ 49 people. Over the last year they have expanded their customer base, increased sales, and invested in new equipment. 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. georgiapowdercoating.com
Gold Creek Foods LLC (Workforce Excellence Award) Gold Creek is a poultry processor specializing in custom portioning of all poultry products for both domestic U.S. and over 30 countries. The plant employs 800 people in Gainesville-Hall County, locating here five years ago. Employees enjoy a free company nurse, clinic, and annual health and hearing screenings reflecting the company'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, sponsoring several fundraising events. goldcreekfoods.com