Talon Systems to Invest $3.5 Million and Create 150 Jobs at New Manufacturing Facility in Statesville

Ontario, Canada-based furniture manufacturer Talon Systems, Inc. announced today it will invest $3.5 million to locate its first manufacturing facility outside Canada in Statesville, North Carolina.

Talon manufactures ready-to-assemble furniture and organizational systems sold through major retailers under the Black and Decker, IKEA, Akada Home and private label brand names. Their customers include IKEA, Target, Home Depot, Sears, Menards and Lowes Home Improvement. They currently operate a 400,000 square foot manufacturing facility and headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, 15 miles southwest of Toronto. The Statesville plant is planned to meet rapidly increasing demand in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, and will not impact operations at the Mississauga facility.

Talon will locate its Statesville plant in the 309,000 square foot building on Meacham Road which formerly housed the Canac Kitchens Division of Koehler Inc. The facility is expected to generate 150 new jobs over five years, with 90 of those new jobs coming on-line within the first 36 months. Talon expects to close on the property by mid-January, with production beginning in March or April.

“As the economy shows signs of recovery, we are proud to announce the infill of an existing building,” said Mayor Costi Kutteh of Statesville. “Again, the hard work done by the economic development partners we have developed has led to another industrial recruitment success for Statesville.”

Talon President Derek Okada indicated that the company had provisions in its strategic plan to locate a new facility somewhere in the southeastern United States, and eventually narrowed their search to Statesville and a location in Virginia. The economic development assistance offered by the One North Carolina Fund, North Carolina Rural Center, Iredell County and City of Statesville proved to be the difference.

Iredell County Board of Commissioners Chairman Godfrey Williams commented that, “… the addition of Talon Systems to Iredell County is a big step toward rebuilding our manufacturing base, and gives us all a sense of real optimism that things will get better in the coming year.”

The quality and ready availability of a skilled workforce were also major factors in Statesville’s selection. Although Talon Systems manufactures a different end-product, their manufacturing processes are similar in many ways to those of Canac Kitchens, and many of the skills acquired by former Canac workers will be directly applicable. In areas where additional training will be required, Mitchell Community College will team with Talon to implement an on-going workforce development program.

Greater Statesville Development Corporation Chairman Bill Leach commented, “This is our second announcement in two weeks of an international company coming to our community. With our current unemployment exceeding 12%, this is very exciting news. Talon Systems, Inc will create 150 new jobs. Along with the recent Providência announcement, a total of 206 new jobs will be created. We welcome Talon to our community and look forward to working with them as they move forward.”

The Greater Statesville Development Corporation would like to recognize the following partners in this significant announcement for our community: the North Carolina Rural Center, the City of Statesville, Iredell County, PSNC, Electricities of North Carolina, the NC Department of Commerce, the NC Community College System, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Alexander Railroad, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the One North Carolina Fund and the Greater Statesville Area Committee of 100.

For more information about Talon Systems, including job opportunities, email inquiries to: northcarolina@talonrta.com.

Piedmont Rubber Recycling Announces $2.3 Million Statesville Expansion

Statesville will soon gain 45 new “green” jobs, as Piedmont Rubber Recycling today announced it will relocate and expand its manufacturing facility there. Piedmont, an affiliate of New Jersey-based PermaLife Industries, makes decorative rubber mulch from recycled tires. The Statesville facility currently paints and bags rubber shredded at other facilities. The expansion will allow the Statesville plant to shred its own rubber from tires purchased locally from landfills, retail stores, retread shops and other sources.

Piedmont will move from a 35,000 square foot facility on Speedball Road to 41,000 square feet in the former Hanesbrands building on Meacham Road. The $2.3 million in capital investment includes upfit of that space, new equipment and fixtures, and equipment relocated from PermaLife facilities in New Jersey and Arizona. The 45 new jobs will be phased in over a 3-6 month period as new equipment comes on-line and business increases. The majority of these jobs will be general labor, equipment operator and material handling positions.

“We are always excited when a local company is successful and expands in our community. In our current economic climate, new jobs are very important,” said Greater Statesville Development Corporation Chairman Bill Leach. “Not only does this expansion create 45 new jobs, but it also keeps old tires out of our landfills. These employees can go to work each day knowing they are doing something positive for the environment.”

Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh, noted that this was the latest in an unprecedented string of major economic development announcements. “In a short period of time, we have announced a new $70 million industry, the infill of an existing building and, now, the expansion of an existing industry. The economic development community is producing new jobs for the citizens of Statesville in all areas imaginable.”

Iredell County Commissioners Chairman Godfrey Williams said that he was, “extremely happy Piedmont Rubber Recycling is expanding their facility in Statesville. What a great Christmas present for all of Iredell County.”

The Greater Statesville Development Corporation wants to thank Uconda Dunn of the NC Department of Commerce for her assistance with this project.

PROVIDÊNCIA USA RE-AFFIRMS COMMITMENT ON NEW STATESVILLE MANUFACTURING FACILITY; SETS CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

In an address to community leaders and the media at the Statesville Civic Center, Hermínio Freitas, CEO of Brazilian-based nonwoven fabrics manufacturer Companhia Providência Industria e Comercio, today re-affirmed his company’s commitment to building its first North American manufacturing facility at a site in Statesville, North Carolina, and announced construction would begin immediately, with an official groundbreaking ceremony planned for early next year.

Providência USA first announced plans for the new plant — which will be situated on 43 acres at the West Industrial Park north of I-40 — in September of 2008, with the expectation it would be completed and in operation by mid-2009. The project, however, was delayed by the onset of the global economic downturn in the months following the announcement.

In his comments today, Mr. Freitas expressed confidence in the rebound of the North American economy and indicated that the time is now right to increase production capacity for this market. “This announcement further underscores the company’s plans for expansion. For some time now we have been examining the company’s structure and consequently its capacity; but with the world financial crisis we had put new investments on hold. In the past few quarters, we have noticed the increase in demand and the resumption of this project will be instrumental in meeting this need, increasing our production capacity to 100 thousand tons per year.”

The announcement was greeted enthusiastically by community leaders:

“At the revised investment and jobs levels, Providência USA still represents the largest new capital project in Statesville in more than a decade. We certainly understand and are sympathetic to the economic conditions that lead to delaying the start of construction and the changes in capital investment. We are happy that the company never lost confidence that Statesville was the right place and continued to work with us to find the right time,” said Greater Statesville Development Corporation Chairman Bill Leach. “This announcement, on top of two recent business expansion announcements, are signs of an improving local economy.”

Godfrey Williams, Chairman of the Iredell County Board of Commissioners echoed Leach’s sentiment; “Given the recent uptick in unemployment figures county-wide, these new, high-paying jobs will be essential. Hopefully, Providência will begin a new season of industrial announcements that will help put the unemployed of Iredell County back to work.”

With this announcement, Providência brings its 46 year track record of quality products and respect for customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders to the Greater Statesville business community, a point of emphasis for Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh, “We have continued to work diligently with Providência and others during these tough times. We are glad that this great company has made its decision to be a part of the Statesville family. The jobs and investment Providência is bringing will provide a tremendous boost to our economy and remind the entire world that Statesville is open for business.”

The Greater Statesville Development Corporation would like to recognize the following partners in this significant announcement for our community: the City of Statesville, Iredell County, PSNC, Electricities of North Carolina, the NC Department of Commerce, the NC Community College System, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Alexander Railroad, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the One North Carolina Fund and the Greater Statesville Area Committee of 100.

Iredell County Unemployment Dips in August

The unemployment rate in Iredell County fell to 12.4 percent in August from 12.9 percent in July.

The county continues to have one of the lowest unemplyment rates in the region. Unemployment in the Charlotte/Gastonia/Concord area dipped to 11.8 percent from 12.4 percent in July. In the Hickory/Lenoir/Morganton region, unemployment decreased to 14.6 percent from 15 percent.

Here are county unemployment rates in August compared with July: •Anson: 15.1 percent, up from 14.9 percent.

•Cabarrus: 11.4 percent, down from 11.6 percent.

•Catawba: 14.4 percent, down from 14.9 percent.

•Cleveland: 14.8 percent, down from 15.3 percent.

•Gaston: 14 percent, down from 14.4 percent.

•Iredell: 12.4 percent, down from 12.9 percent.

•Lincoln: 13.7 percent, down from 14.4 percent.

•Mecklenburg: 11.3 percent, dpwn from 11.7 percent.

•Rowan: 13.2 percent, down from 13.7 percent.

•Stanly: 12.2 percent, down from 12.6 percent.

• Union: 10.3 percent, down from 10.8 percent.

Currituck County had the lowest unemployment rate in North Carolina in August at 5.1 percent. Scotland County had the highest at 16.5 percent.

Kewaunee Scientific earnings up 9%

 Statesville-based Kewaunee Scientific Corp. reports a 9 percent increase in its net earnings for the fiscal first quarter ended July 31.

The company earned more than $1 million, of 42 cents per diluted share, in the latest quarter, up from $981,000, or 38 cents per diluted share, a year earlier.

Sales increased 3 percent to $26.25 million. And Kewaunee says its backlog of orders totals $60.7 million.

“Our excellent first-quarter sales, earnings and order backlog are reflective of our continuing emphasis on improvements in every aspect of our business,” says William Shumaker, president and chief executive. “Continuing strategies to strengthen and expand our sales organizations, increase sales volumes, and reduce product and operational costs continue to make us a stronger and more efficient company.”

Kewaunee designs, manufactures and installs scientific and technical furniture. The company has subsidiaries in Singapore and Bangalore, India, that serve the Asian and Middle East markets.

Mitchell College to Offer TechnoMarketing Series Again This Fall

Mitchell Community College and the Greater Statesville Development Corporation will team up again this Fall to offer the TechnoMarketing series of workshops for businesses seeking cost-effective instruction on web-based marketing technologies. The series of four workshops will be conducted as two hour lunch-and-learn sessions on Tuesdays, beginning September 22nd. “We are really pleased to be able to bring John (Marek) back for a second round of these workshops,” said Mike Tucker, Director of the Small Business Center at Mitchell.”The response when we first offered it last Spring was very positive, and so many people said they wished they could attend, but the morning schedule didn’t work for them. We hope that the lunchtime sessions will open the program up to more businesses. Certainly, the price is right. I just got a flyer the other day from a training organization offering a similar program for $750.” The complete Mitchell TechnoMarketing series will cost $60, or $15 per lunch-and-learn session. Each session will focus on a specific web-based marketing technology:   September 22 - Networking with Social Media: How to Use LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to Grow Your Business   September 29 - Permission-Based E-mail Marketing: Reaching Your Customers with Constant Contact   October 13 - Search Engines and Internet Advertising: Targeting Your Markets with Google AdWords   October 20 - Digital mass Media: How to really Use Blogs, Podcasts, YouTube and RSS to Build Your Brand   The workshops will be facilitated by John Marek, Director of BRE & Marketing for the Greater Statesville Development Corporation (GSDC). The GSDC was recognized nationally in 2009 as a “top 10″ economic development organization, in part because of its innovative web-based marketing efforts. John has also been recognized by Google AdWords and Constant Contact as a qualified solutions provider. For more information about the TechnoMarketing Workshop Series or to pre-register, please contact the Mitchell Community College Technology and Workforce Development Center, 704-878-3226.

North Carolina Ranked #2 for Workforce by CNBC

North Carolina was recently named in the Top Ten of CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business in ‘09,” and ranked No. 2 in the Workforce subcategory. In 2008 North Carolina was ranked No. 3 for Workforce. Georgia, which ranked No. 10 overall, was No. 1 for Workforce.   The state, which finished 9th overall, also scored highly for Transportation & Infrastructure, Business Friendliness and Technology & Innovation. See the full ranking.

EDM Systems Opens New Facility in Statesville

Electrical discharge machine (EDM) repair and recondition specialty company EDM Systems LLC recently completed its move into the former Hanesbrands building on Meacham Road in Statesville. Prior to the move, EDM leased approximately 9,000 square feet in the Kontane Logisitics building on Old Murdock Road in Troutman. The new facility incorporates more than 17,000 square feet of storage, office and manufacturing space. This added space allows EDM to position itself as one of the largest companies stocking used EDM machine in the country. “Every machine located at our warehouse is under power and can be fully demonstrated,” Says Tim Harwood, National Sales Manager for  EDM. ”If the machine you are looking for is not in our inventory, we’ll find the machine for you through our vast database of EDM customers and dealers throughout the USA, Canada, and Mexico. EDM Systems also has the ability to work with our customers to provide the best fit machine at the most creative financing packages available.”   In addition to new and refurbished machinery sales, EDM plans to begin manufacturing precision metal components at the site, and is currently working out a contract to provide parts for a nationally-known firearms manufacturer.

Mitchell Community College to Add FastTrack Certified Training for Entrepreneurs

Later this month, faculty and staff from Mitchell Community College will participate in a FastTrack training program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. FastTrac programs are delivered by a variety of over 300 alliance organizations — non-academic, academic, non-profit and for-profit-including chambers of commerce, business development centers, local and regional economic development councils, colleges, universities, consulting firms, and many others across the 50 United States and select countries around the world. These organizations pursue meaningful goals to support entrepreneurship every day. And their leaders are passionate about: Building their communities by building strong economies. Growing their organizations by providing valued services. Fulfilling their missions by transforming principles into practice. The facilitator training the Mitchell staff will complete is designed to take their practical business skills and experiences and convert them into powerful entrepreneurship training and coaching skills.   FastTrac is a practical, hands-on, entrepreneur-learning program designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage, and grow a successful business. FastTrac participants don’t just learn about business, they live it. They work on their own business ideas or existing ventures throughout the program-moving their ventures to reality.   FastTrac is a framework for entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs. Programs combine facilitator-led sessions, small-group exercises, guest subject-matter experts, and idea sharing with peers with business coaching and mentoring. FastTrac programs help individuals at each challenging stage of growth:  Starting a Business  Growing a Business Specialized Business GDSC Director of BRE & Marketing, John Marek, who is also a corporate trainer for Mitchell, is one of the staff who will be participating in the certification training. “Honestly, I have always considered start-up ventures as a little outside the focus of my reponsibilities with the GSDC, but with the economy rebounding slowly and jobs scarce, more and more people are looking at the possibility of starting their own business. As a former entrepreneur, myself, I have a pretty good understanding of the business development process and I hope to be able to share some of my experiences – both good and bad – with budding entrepreneurs.”    John also sees entrepreneurs as the “third leg” of the economic development platform. “Typically, our focus has been, and will continue to be, on recruiting and developing existing industry. But, I think there is a place for entrepreneurs at the economic development table, and hopefully, my participation in the FastTrack program will help.”

NC Department of Commerce to Begin Calling Small Businesses in Greater Statesville

Over the next several weeks, local companies with workforces greater than 10 emplyees wil be contacted by representatives of a new state program that is designed to “head off” layoffs and closings by identifying companies who are at risk and referring them to the appropriate state agencies for additional assistance.   “Fundamentally, the program is very similar to what we have been doing at a local level since the start of the economic downturn last year. We are certainly happy to have the assistance of the state and encourage all of our Greater Statesville businesses to cooperate fully with the representatives from the NC Department of Commerce, ” said John Marek, Director of Business/Retention/Expansion & Marketing for the Greater Statesville Development Corporation.    Companies that are deemed to be at-risk or with opportunities for immediate job grow will receive a face-to-face visit from a Department of Commerce case-worker.