2013 Community Pride Industry

Brodie International a star in Bulloch

2013Community

PrideIndustry

2 – StateSboro herald — Sunday, February 24, 2013 | statesboroherald.com community pride 2013

Industry

QUALITY AT HOMEFrom parts that protect your children’s fingers from slamming doors to weather strip that keeps your entry doors sealed, the Loxcreen Company’s Plastics Divison in Brooklet, Georgia has delivered quality plastic extrusions to homes across America and Canada for over 45 years.PLASTIC EXTRUSIONS, CUSTOM MADE FOR INDUSTRIES ACROSS AMERICA.The Plastics Group of Loxcreen manufactures fifteen million pounds of flexible and rigid plastic profiles annually. Extruded in every color, size, and shape imaginable, the custom profiles and component parts are utilized by the Industries such as, commercial refrigeration, window, door, and golf cart. Look for our new Casa Verde product line at Homedepot.com and coming soon to a re-tailer near you.MANUFACTURED BY LOXCREEN IN BROOKLET, GA.Since opening in 1965, the Plastics Group of the Loxcreen Co., employs 60 men and women to operate it’s 75,000 square foot facility. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, Loxcreen also manufactures aluminum extrusions and building products that are sold across the U.S. and Canada.

3715 Leefield Rd, Brooklet, GA, 30415TOLL FREE: 1.800.569.5005

[email protected] • www.loxcreen.com

THE LOXCREEN COMPANYDivision of

M-D Building Products

Brodie a Bulloch powerhouseBy Holli Deal [email protected]

Brodie International Co. LLC, has been a star in Bulloch County for the past 10 years. The company pro-vides liquid flow meters and equipment for the petro-leum and industrial mar-kets, specializing in produc-ing high precision meters and valves that are used in the custody transfer of

petroleum products. In 2003, a group of 10 local investors purchased the company from Emerson Electric. The industry oper-ated in earlier years under various names; it began in 1956 as Rockmart and when Emerson purchased it in 1970, the business oper-ated as Brooks Instruments. Brodie International has grown to employ 80 people, and has seen positive

growth over the last year, with the addition of several machines to the line, said Johnny Parrish, company vice president. About 45 percent of Brodie Meter’s business is export. “We sell to all the major oil companies,” Parrish said. Part of the company’s success is that it believes in building long-term relationships with customers, employees and

selling partners. Brodie’s product portfo-lio includes positive dis-placement meters, control valves, electronic totalizers, strainers and air elimina-tors, calibration and recon-ditioning services and engi-neered systems. Each of these products is very successful and is glob-ally recognized and respect-ed throughout the industry, according to Parrish.

The company’s design, engineering and manufac-turing facilities are all located in Statesboro at the U.S. Highway 301 North location. The service center spe-cializes in the repair and conditioning of meters and valves from all major man-ufacturers. Brodie has the largest calibration center in North America, with flow rates up to 20,000 barrels

per hour on water and 12,000 barrels per hour on mineral spirits, he said. Brodie Meter touts itself on the company website as being a “world-class pro-duction facility in the flow measurement market.” Products and services are sold and distributed world-wide and are used by numerous international oil and pipeline companies, he said.

Southern aquatic Services keeps ponds healthy

By JaN [email protected]

Keeping local ponds, lakes, and rivers "healthy" is a full-time proposition for Bulloch County resident Kelly Dabbs.

Founded in 2008, Dabbs’ company Southern Aquatic Services provides water quality analysis, weed iden-tification and control, pond clean-up, pond stocking, pond fertilization, as well as monthly habitat monitor-ing to its clients.

"Most ponds and lakes benefit from being 'main-tained'," Dabbs said. "They are susceptible to the growth of weeds which have to be removed, because they can literally choke the pond or lake. Also, you have to look at the ph balance and alkalinity of the lake or pond. That also has a dra-matic effect on its health."

Dabbs has two full-time and two part-time employ-ees to help with the mainte-nance of the 35 bodies of water that he is contracted to take care of.

"We go out every month to determine what is need-ed," he said. "There is a sea-sonality to what we do. During the time of the year when the temperature of

the water exceeds 65 degrees, we are very busy. In this climate, our down time is usually about three months in the winter."

Dabbs has an array of 'interesting' clients includ-ing the Georgia Southern Center for Wildlife Education. Pam Harley serves as business manger for the center.

"We have two ponds that were built on the property when we expanded the wildlife center in 2009," she said. "Kelly opened his com-pany at just about the same time the expansion was being constructed. We con-tracted with him, and he does an amazing job. He goes beyond the call of duty, and there are times that I feel like we are getting more than we are paying for."

Harley said the center maintains a collection of water fowl that are depen-dent upon the animal life living in the ponds.

"It is very important that

the food sources for the water fowl are healthy and vibrant," she said. "In essence, Kelly is maintain-ing the health of an animal collection for us by keeping the ponds where they need to be."

Kim Edge is the co-own-er of Edge Fish Farm in Soperton. Edge raises fish to stock ponds and lakes including trout, minnows, shad, bass and catfish.

"I don't know that very many people realize that Kelly has a chemistry degree," she said. "He does a very good job, and is so good with people. We are a supplier to many of his cli-ents."

Dabbs said he decided to open his company after conversations with the local County Extension Service.

"In consulting with the Extension Service on differ-ent issues dealing with ponds, they told me that they were really unable to provide the level of service

that pond owners were requesting," he said. "I real-ized there was a need in this area, and so I founded my company. The Extension Service has been a great referral source."

Dabbs has been manag-ing Mike Kittrell's pond for approximately three years. It is located in the Hopeulikit area.

"We were having a major problem with the plant Slender Spikerush which is vegetation that grows on top of other vegetation, and takes over the pond," Kittrell said. "We had con-sidered draining the pond until Kelly came out and looked at it. He said the problem could be fixed without doing that, and he has fixed it. He removed the weed from the top of the water, and then dragged something along the bot-tom. It has been fine ever since. He really goes beyond what he is obligated to do. He is very good at his job.

Bulloch County business maintains habitats

JAN MOORE/Herald file

Kelly Dabbs, owner of Southern Acquatic Services, positions his boat to treat for weeds at a local pond.

statesboroherald.com | StateSboro herald — Sunday, February 24, 2013 – 3community pride 2013

Industry

Viracon restarts production


When employees returned to work at Viracon in August 2012 they were met with obvi-ous upgrades to the manu-facturing plant, including new carpet, new paint and skylights installed through-out the manufacturing plant.

What was less apparent to the untrained eye, but quickly noticed by those coming back, were the upgrades to the manufac-turing equipment on the factory floor.

Tyrone Williams is a robot operator and has been with the company for five years. He immediately took note of the changes to the machinery he operates.

"I love the updated equipment, and it has made my job much easier," he said. "It allows for better production, and eliminates down time. I really like my job, and the people that I work with. I am so glad to be back."

Plant manager Rick Farmer said the upgrades and enhancements to the equipment were extensive.

"We have five key man-ufacturing processes, and every piece of equipment was refurbished including software and mechanical upgrades," he said. "Our expectations are improved run rates, less down time, improved quality control, and reduced operating costs."

In addition to equip-

ment modifications, Farmer said a new roof of 80mil Firestone Thermoplastic was installed as well as 86 sun wave skylights. The heat-ing, ventilation, and air-conditioning system received updates to yield a more controlled environ-ment, resulting in a cleaner facility.

"The combination of improved lighting and bet-ter insulation offers signif-icant electrical savings," he said. "Many of the upgrades also improve the safety of our workforce."

M i n n e s o t a - b a s e d Viracon is America's lead-ing single-source architec-tural glass fabricator. The company initially invested $27 million to build its Statesboro plant in the Gateway Industrial Park in 1999. These latest renova-tions cost $6.1 million.

"The economy really dictated the timing of this major upgrade," Farmer said. "We knew that we wanted to be ready to meet the increased demand when the market comes back. We were able to offload this plant's

workload to our Utah plant during the time we were idled without impact-ing our clients."

Farmer said he is both pleased and grateful that 85 percent of the 360 employees that were fur-loughed when the plant shut down returned to work.

"Everyone was given the opportunity to come back, and those that chose to do so marry up nicely to our productivity and capacity improvements," he said. "By the end of September we will be fully staffed,

running two, 36-hour rotating shifts."

Roselend Cone said she really did not want to start over with a new company when she was furloughed in January.

"I have been here six years, and I just wanted to wait and see what changes were being made," she said. "I really enjoy my job. I have moved up, and now work as a 'floater' which means I am placed into different positions based on the need. It is so bright, clean and spacious now. I know I made the right

decision to wait and come back."

Farmer said those com-ing back are treated as new hires.

"All of our returning employees are being taken through orientation with a strong emphasis on safety," he said. "Productivity is important, but following safe practices is equally as important."

An opening ceremony was held in October to kick off the plant's reopen-ing.

Viracon's headquarters are in Owatonna, Minn.

SCOTT BRYANT/Herald file

Viracon employee Hermell Law is reflected in panes of laminated glass coming off the production line of the plant.

Glass fabricator opens renovated plant in Statesboro

gateway lands Thermo King


Construction was well underway for the latest addition to Bulloch County's Gateway Industrial Park in March 2012. Located at 311 A.J. Riggs Road, the new Thermo King plant was scheduled to be completed by June.

"This plant will be installing and commission-ing new Thermo King refrigeration units for the Great Dane manufacturing plant located across the street," said Kent Wilson, vice president of Thermo King of North Florida, located in Jacksonville. "We plan to employ 10 to 20 plus at this location."

Thermo King Corporation, a business unit of diversified industri-al firm Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited, manu-

factures transport tempera-ture control systems for a variety of mobile applica-tions, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, ship-board containers and rail-way cars.

The first Thermo King

unit was created in Minneapolis, MN in 1938 by Frederick Jones in order to get freshly-killed chick-ens to market without spoilage.

According to the com-pany's website, his inven-

tion worked so well that it spawned entire industries including frozen food, fast food, and container ship-ping.

The company operates 10 manufacturing facilities and 17 parts distribution

centers worldwide. Sales and service is provided by a global dealer network of 865 independently owned companies in 75 countries.

David Holland serves as chairman of the Development Authority of

Bulloch County. Holland is very encouraged by the sudden surge of construc-tion in the industrial park.

"We're very pleased that Thermo King will be locat-ing its Statesboro facility in Gateway Industrial Park," Holland said. "This is another example of the benefits our community will receive from the effort we made to secure the new Great Dane plant."

The 16,000-square-foot plant is located on 6.8 acres within the park. According to Benjy Thompson, CEO of the Development Authority of Bulloch County, there are 200 acres of available industrial prop-erty remaining in the Park.

"The Development Authority is working with another Great Dane vendor on locating its facility in Bulloch County," Thompson said.

Thermo King of North Florida, owner of the Statesboro facility, started in 1981 in Jacksonville as a Thermo King Corporation authorized sales and service facility for trailer and truck refrigeration units, and authorized sales and service for bus air conditioning units. In 1992, the company opened a second facility in Savannah, and in 2009, a third facility in Ocala, Fla.


A truck dumps a load of dirt at the Thermo King construction site inside the Gateway Industrial Park. The plant will build temperature control devices for refrigerated trailers manufactured at the adjacent Great Dane plant.

Company to support Great Dane plant with temp units


Industry


North America’s largest roofing manufacturer GAF held the grand open-ing of its state-of-the-art Statesboro ISO plant on Oct. 10, 2012. Located in the Gateway Industrial Park on Highway 301 South, the 300,000 square foot plant and employs approximately 50 workers.

"On behalf of the Development Authority of Bulloch County, I'd like to express our excitement for the opening of the GAF facility in Gateway Regional Industrial Park," said Benjy Thompson, CEO of the Bul loch County Development Authority. "GAF and our other indus-try partners in Bulloch County are great example-sof our community's attractiveness for advanced manufacturing. We look forward to their long-term success."

The Statesboro GAF plant produces polyisocy-anurate (ISO), an insula-tion material used in com-mercial roofing systems. The plant will also have residential sheathing capacity.

“As the nation’s largest roofing manufacturer, GAF is proud to be an American-based company," said Bob Tafaro, president and CEO of GAF. "Our roots run deep; we believe in the strength of our nation and in the resilience of its econ-omy. We are pleased to announce the grand open-

ing of our brand-new ISO plant in Statesboro — the first of several significant contributions we are mak-ing to the commercial roof-ing industry."

According to Ray Darmer, Statesboro plant manager, the GAG manu-facturing facility has a per-mitted capacity of 350 mil-lion board feet per annum of manufactured material.

"The manufacturing facility is currently run-ning one shift per day," Darmer said, in Oct. 2012. "We have the ability to add a second shift as demand

for our product increases" In addition to the

Statesboro site, GAF was examining potential sites in Texas, Oklahoma and surrounding areas for a second plant expected to open year-end 2012. Both plants will be strategically located to accommodate the company’s current commercial roofing demand. Once the two plants are up and running, GAF expects to investigate locations for additional plants to give the company nationwide manufacturing capability in the near

future. “We are opening these

polyisocyanurate roof insulation plants in response to continued industry demand, and we believe it will greatly strengthen our position in the commercial roofing business, as well as give us the ability to produce resi-dential sheathing prod-ucts,” Tafaro said.

Proudly celebrating more than 125 years in the industry, GAF has become the largest roofing manu-facturer in North America, with sales of nearly

$3 billion annually. The company’s prod-

ucts include a comprehen-sive portfolio of steep-slope and commercial roofing systems, which are supported by an extensive national network of facto-ry-certified contractors.

Tafaro said its success is driven by a commitment to provide property owners and specifiers with the best and safest choice in roof-ing, and by helping sup-portive contractors and distributors to build their businesses and avoid hassles.

According to a company spokesperson, with a focus on social responsibility, GAF has developed Advanced Protection shin-gle technology, which pro-vides superior durability and wind resistance, while reducing the use of scarce natural resources.

The company has also developed single-ply and asphaltic membranes with superior durability and high reflectivity to meet the most rigorous industry standards while helping commercial property own-ers and designers reduce energy consumption.

GAF also supports the roofing industry through CARE, the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence, which has pro-vided education to over 125,000 professionals.

CARE’s mission is to help professional contrac-tors and distributors build their businesses through sales and management education, and to provide product and installation training to contractors, dis-tributors, architects, prop-erty owners, and related industry personnel.

For more information about GAF, visit www.gaf.com.

According to Darmer, GAF does post jobs on its website, so anyone inter-ested in learning more about what’s available can be directed to the company's home page at www.gaf.com and you can select Employment Opportunities.

gaF opens Statesboro plant

Photo Courtesy GAF

The back end of the GAF plant in Statesboro Gateway Industrial Park is shown. The plant will produce roofing materials.

Working well togetherBy JaN [email protected]

There has been a major shift in philosophy at Statesboro City Hall in the past two years, and those connected with the real estate development com-munity are glad to see it.

"The city has taken a proactive approach in the customer service area to promote economic devel-opment," said Joey Maxwell, owner of Maxwell Engineering. "Developers feel like they can ask questions without being judged, and the pro-cess has been simplified to where it is understand-able."

That is precisely what Frank Parker had hoped to accomplish when he accepted the job as city manager in September 2010.

"I have been a develop-er, and I understand the issues and the hurdles that developers face," Parker said. "As a city govern-ment, it is not our job to build obstacles for busi-ness people to get around. Our job is to help facilitate what they are trying to accomplish within the ordinances that we have."

One of the processes which has improved and been embraced by the development community is the "right start" meet-ings that are conducted prior to a developer sub-mitting plans for a com-mercial or high density residential development.

"The intention of a Right Start meeting is to offer each building permit customer an opportunity to review a building/design

concept with all members of the city development team prior to heavily investing in engineering or architectural work and prior to submitting permit applications with the city," said Mandi Cody, director of Planning and Development for the city.

"We strive to identify any issues that the cus-tomer may face and work with them to resolve those issues at this early point in the process. Some issues (zoning, variances, etc.) do require Council approval and we walk the customer through that process –giv-ing timelines and assis-tance. We also advise them of any permits the cus-tomer may need from agencies other than the city of Statesboro and make suggestions regard-ing those submittals to ensure a coordinated and timely permit process."

Laura Marsh is an attor-ney with the firm of Franklin, Taulbee, Rushing, Snipes, and Marsh. She has represent-ed a large number of developers, contractors, and citizens through the process of permitting and rezoning in the city.

"We have absolutely seen a great change in try-ing to work with the city," Marsh said. "The changes have been so positive, and the lines of communica-tion are now much, much better. The city is trying to build bridges with devel-opers, instead of setting up walls. They deserve a lot of credit. Both Mandi Cody and Robert Cheshire have just been excellent to work with."

Parker took his position

with the city at a time of turmoil. "When I took the job, city employees were frightened for their liveli-hood, uncertain of their future," Parker said. "Uncertainty causes anxi-ety, and it was rampant. I told each employee that with me, they had a clean slate. We work for the citi-zens of Statesboro, and if you conduct yourself in a professional way, and per-form your duties, we will get along well."

Parker said his job was to facilitate everyone doing their job.

"I don't have the exper-tise in these different departments that the folks that work in them have, nor do I pretend to," he said. "I defer to their expertise, and have allowed them to do their jobs. There have been improve-ments in every single department driven by those that work in them. I am extremely proud of what has been accom-plished."

City engineer Robert Cheshire said the working environment has taken a 180-degree turn since Parker took the reigns.

"It has been a true phil-osophical shift," Cheshire said. "Over the past few years, it had been adver-sarial between the private and public sector. Now there is a true community spirit in which we strive to do the best for the city and for those trying to do busi-ness here. It is a servant's heart with a businessman's heart rolled into one. We have not stopped trying to improve and make the building process more user friendly."


A construction worker puts siding on a roof at The Islands development on Old Register Road in Statesboro.

Developers praise city cooperation in building projects

statesboroherald.com | StateSboro herald — Sunday, February 24, 2013 – 5community pride 2013

Industry

growth gathering steamCensus: Bulloch 27th fastest growing county in US

From staff reports

Bulloch County is one of the fastest growing com-munities in the United States. Since the last official census was taken in April 2010, the population of Bulloch County has grown from 70,213 as of July 1, 2010 to 72,881, an increase of 2,668 people, as of July 1, 2011, according to the latest population estimate based on census trends. The rate of growth of 3.8 percent makes Bulloch County among the 30 fast-est growing counties in the country – ranking 27th out of 3,143 counties or their equivalents nationwide. Also, Bulloch is now the fourth fastest growing county in Georgia, behind only Charlton, Long and Chattahoochee counties. “Bulloch County’s growth is organic, as our birth rate is increasing,” said Andy Welch, who heads up Bulloch County’s planning division. “We are seeing very strong net migration of new residents, whom we think are mov-ing here from nearby com-munities seeking employ-ment opportunities, and also from resident student growth associated with Georgia Southern University.” The county ranks 13th in the state in terms of growing by total residents since the official 2010 cen-sus was taken. Out of 159 counties in Bulloch County has moved up to the 31st largest com-pared to its rank of 37th after the 2000 Census. It remains the third most populous county in the Coastal Georgia region behind Chatham County

and Glynn County. Bulloch County’s numeric growth of 2,668 during the July 2010-July 2011 period is the highest in the region, and the percentage rate of growth is second behind Long County. Bulloch County’s growth rate is nearly twice as fast as the region as a whole (3.8 percent com-pared to 2.1 percent) and far outpaces the State of

Georgia’s overall growth rate of 1.3 percent, while representing 11 percent of the Coastal Region’s popu-lation. “This could be an anomaly, or the beginning of a prolonged boom cycle,” said County Manager Tom Couch. “When you hear of fast growing communities in Georgia, it has historically been on a metro fringe like

Effingham County outside of Savannah, or the Atlanta exurbs — there’s a new hypothesis that supports our community being a future growth center.” Meanwhile, the Statesboro micropolitan area ranks as the sixth fast-est-growing micropolitan area in the United States since the 2010 Census was taken. A micropolitan area, a

term first designated by the Census Bureau in 2003, describes growing popula-tion centers that are removed from larger cities or metropolitan areas and that have significant econ-omies and attractions. For statistical purposes, the Census Bureau uses the county-level of measure-ment noting that Statesboro represents the urban cluster. There are

576 total micropolitan areas in the in the United States. “These new population numbers stress the impor-tance of on-going planning to balance the additional demands for public servic-es,” Couch said. “It also proves that more people continue to come here to Bulloch County to live, work and learn, even in a challenged economy.”


A crowd of people visit the Brooklet Peanut Festival in this August 2010 Herald file photo. According to recently released census data, Bulloch County ranks among the 30 fastest growing counties in the U.S. and is the fourth fastest growing county in Georgia.

Tourism on the rise in Bulloch


The economic impact of tourism in Bulloch County continues to rise as evi-denced in the most recent statistics released by the Georgia Department of Economic Development - Tourism Division (GDED).

The department esti-mated that in 2011, people visiting Bulloch County spent $111 million through lodging, transportation, food and beverages, retail and entertainment costs. Tourism also generated more than 1,000 jobs, translating into $20 million in local payroll annually.

“Many people don’t realize the impact that tourism has on the local economy," said Andy Bhula, a local hotel owner/opera-tor and president-elect of the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). "Not only does it help in creating jobs and bringing money into the communi-ty, but also in helping reduce the taxes of the local property owners.”

The Georgia Department

of Economic Development estimated that in 2011, Tourism generated $4.13 million in State taxes, and $3.21 million in local taxes that directly support a wide variety of local projects - not just those directly relat-ed to tourism. Each Bulloch county household pays $295.65 less in state and local taxes as a result of the taxes generated by tourism according to the organiza-tion.

The primary proponent of tourism in the county is the Statesboro CVB. Headed by executive direc-tor Heidi Jeffers, the orga-nization is funded through a portion of Statesboro and Bulloch County's hotel/motel tax which is a five percent sales tax assessed on each hotel/motel stay.

"The SCVB promotes the city of Statesboro to attract visitors, creating jobs and enhancing the economic vitality of Statesboro and Bulloch County," Jeffers said.

"We market to individu-als, conferences, meetings, families, tournaments, groups, business travel, tour operators, and more, to experience all that Bulloch County has to offer."

According to the GDED, in terms of direct tourism spending, Bulloch County ranks 28 out of 159 coun-ties in the state. If metro Atlanta counties are removed from that list, Bulloch County would rank 17th.

“Although hotels are the most obvious benefactors of out of town visitors, res-taurants, convenience stores, retail shops, and really any sort of business you can imagine may have visitors spend money with them," said Barry Turner,

Statesboro CVB board president, and vice presi-dent for Community and College Relations at Ogeechee Technical College.

Tourists come to Bulloch County for many reasons, including attending

Georgia Southern football games, going to Splash in the Boro or enjoying a cul-tural event.

In terms of growth, from 2010 to 2011, tourism spending increased 9.89 percent in Bulloch County—ranking Bulloch

county 29th for highest increase year over year. Since 2005, direct tourism spending in Bulloch County has increased 49 percent from $74.88 mil-lion to $111.66 million.

Jeffers said a lot of the good things have happened regarding tourism in Bulloch County because of the positive working rela-tionship that her organiza-tion has with the GDED.

"During 2012, we had two great firsts for the Statesboro," Jeffers said. "Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner of Tourism visited the Statesboro CVB Annual Meeting to help launch Georgia’s National Tourism Campaign, The South with a Twist. Also, Statesboro was selected along with Vidalia to host Travel Media Marketplace with the Georgia Tourism Division. The three-day event allowed host com-munities to showcase Georgia’s tourism assets first hand to national and international travel writ-ers."

Turner pointed out the importance of strong sup-port for the tourism indus-try in Bulloch County.

“If we were to have a fac-tory in town that employed 1,000 people, we would be doing all we could to make sure it stays fiscally healthy and viable," he said. "Tourism is that type of industry here, and we should work hard to make sure it stays healthy and viable.”

Economic impact: $111 million and creation of 1,000 jobs


Die-hard Georgia Southern football fans Mike and Crystal Neely, bottom, celebrate with the rest of Paulson Stadium during the 2012 home opener last September. More than 100,000 fans attend GSU football games every season.


BRODIEI n t e r n a t i o n a l

Del iver ing F isca l Measurement Solut ionsFaster. Safer. More Reliable. More Efficient. Now.

Engineering the FUTURE.

912.489.0200 • 19267 Hwy 301 North • Statesboro, GA 30461www.brodieintl.com • [email protected]

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2013 Community Pride Industry