Sumter Economic Development Announces 2012 Manufacturers of the Year
February 06, 2012
(HILTON HEAD, S.C.)—A small company on the brink of closure just 18 months ago joined two established community manufacturing pillars as Sumter County’s Manufacturers of the Year. The 2012 winners were announced at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce annual retreat in Hilton head on Feb. 4, 2012.
Established to recognize the contributions of area manufacturers to the local economy, its workforce and overall community, the nominees for Manufacturers of the Year are scored by a panel of judges, with the winners collecting the highest overall scores. The Manufacturers of the Year are self nominated and judged on several different criteria, including economic impact on Sumter County, commitment to the local workforce, involvement and contributions to the community, and the company’s significant recent accomplishments.
“Our Manufacturer of the Year competition is just one small way we can recognize the contributions of our local industries, to show them that we appreciate the jobs and investment they bring to our community,” said Jay Schwedler, president and CEO of the Sumter Development Board.
Metokote: Back From the Brink
When Bosch Braking Systems first announced in 2004 that it would relocate its two Sumter plants to Mexico, the news sent shock waves throughout the community. Those were felt strongest right down the street at Metokote, a coatings plant that was built specifically in 1986 to service the brake parts coming out of the Bosch plants.
Through the 80s and 90s, Metokote was as profitable and stable as any company in the community. That changed precipitously when Bosch shuttered its plants. Once Bosch left, Metokote experienced rapid declines in business and profits. In the summer of 2010, the company brought in a new plant manager named Jim Wagner to stem the losses and return the facility to profitability. But even as it did this, the company’s headquarters was making plans to close the local plant, thinking it was beyond saving. The CEO approached the company’s board of directors and recommended closure. The board agreed.
But a funny thing happened on the way to closure: in late 2010, the local facility actually turned a profit, the first in several years. It was just a few thousand dollars, but it bought Wagner enough time to show the board and the CEO that the local plant could grow and be profitable. In early 2011, the CEO once again approached the board, and for the first time ever, asked to rescind the decision to close a plant. Today, the local plant has reclaimed a strong position within the company, and employs more than 35 workers.
Metokote values and appreciates those workers and what they do each and every day to ensure success. The company offers a variety of recognition, benefit and self improvement opprtunities. For instance, the company hosts plant luncheons at least once per quarter to thank and recognize employees for jobs well done. The company also recognizes employees on birthdays and job anniversaries.
Metokote also offers improvement for up-and-coming leaders through “The Pride Program.” This 18-month program covers the basics of Metokote’s compliance, processes and people. It also provides an opportunity for the team members to improve computer literacy and other valuable working skills.
EMS-CHEMIE: GM Supplier of the Year
The year 2011 was a good one for EMS-Chemie, AG. The Swiss high-quality polymers manufacturer celebrated its 75th anniversary with country-specific events all around the world. In Sumter, EMS-Chemie hosted an open house and picnic for all employees, suppliers and vendors, with about 250 people in attendance. Every local EMS-Chemie was presented a special 75th anniversary appreciation check, and a 75-year anniversary book highlighting the history of the company.
EMS stockholders also had a boom year, as 2011 was big for sales and profits. The company reported record revenues of $150 million, and recorded record earnings as well. In turn, EMS invested more than a million dollars last year in the local facility to improve process efficiencies, workplace conditions and workplace safety. Further, EMS plans to invest another $2-3 million in 2012 to solidify its position in the NAFTA region as a high-quality supplier of performance engineering polymers, technical fibers and adhesives, and chemical additives.
Good processes and quality products don’t go unnoticed. And last year the global business unit of EMS-Grivory was awarded one of the highest honors it could possibly earn: the 2010 GM Supplier of the Year Award for Innovative Technology and Superior Quality.
But EMS’ success is not just recent. EMS has a long history of growth at the local facility, and it’s already a two-time Sumter County Manufacturer of the Year award winner. In its 31 years, the company has expanded more than a dozen times, and has invested well in excess of $50 million in Sumter.
EMS-Chemie believes in Sumter, and it demonstrates that by taking care of the employees who make it what it is, and by investing its time and money in this community. EMS supports the Sumter County museum, Sumter Senior Services, the Sumter County Gallery of Art, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the United Way and the YMCA.
EATON: 100 Years of Excellence
In 2011, Eaton Corporation celebrated its 100th anniversary, and its 32nd year in Sumter. Eaton is a highly diversified power management company that employs more than 73,000 workers worldwide, and had 2011 sales of more than $16 billion. The local facility is the product line headquarters for panelboards and switchboards with 2011 sales of more than $190 million. The local facility is one of Sumter’s largest employers, with more than 575 full-time employees, and another 50 contingent associates.
In 2011, even as other manufacturers remained cautious, Eaton continued to invest in Sumter by establishing a new 3rd shift in order to support increased sales volumes. The new shift added 40 new jobs to the local plant.
Eaton remains an employer of choice in Sumter, and its commitments to its workers and the community are too numerous to name. The company embraces its role as a good corporate citizen, and in 2011 it raised more than $87,000 and reserved 500 volunteer man-hours to support charitable organizations across our community. The local facility even has a Community Involvement Team to make sure it does all the good it can.
In 2011, the workers at the local plant spent hundreds of hours building a new home for Habitat for Humanity. It provided gifts for children at Pocalla Spring Elementary; it organized a food drive for the Harvest Hope Food bank; and it donated bicycles to the Sumter Stuff a Bus campaign for families in need during the holiday season.
Eaton also takes its role in our ecosystem seriously. The local facility is a leader in environmental sustainability, and was named a corporate test site for the implementation of energy management processes and technologies. These strategies and efforts are designed to lower the plant’s environmental footprint, and many have been adopted corporate wide.
Finally, Eaton continues to expand its employee benefits programs, despite lean economic conditions. The company sponsors an Educational Assistance Program to reimburse tuition and expenses for job-related studies. It promotes diversity and environmental awareness. And it invests in its workers’ health through numerous health and wellness programs.
“We’re proud of all our manufacturers, but these three demonstrated in 2011 the kind of growth, commitment to workforce and community involvement we love to see,” said George Kosinski, director of the Sumter Development Board’s Existing Industry program. “We thank them for everything they do for our community and the people they employ.”
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