SALUTE TO INDUSTRY 2021
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The Greeneville Sun Salute to Industry Edition
GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Parkway Products Celebrates 75 Years Local Operations Contribute To Company’s Success BY CICELY BABB STAFF WRITER Parkway Products has grown substantially since its founding in 1946 by the Willig family in Cincinnati, Ohio, and although it is no longer a family owned business, CEO Andrew Green said the company has maintained the culture of one. Originally called Parkway Patterns, it is now a diversified plastic component manufacturing business with facilities in several U.S. states as well as Mexico o ering five highly engineered manufacturing technologies: high performance polymer molding, magnesium thixomolding, machined plastic solutions, thermoset composite molding and thermoplastic injection molding. Put simply, Green said, “we are injection molders. We make parts for equipPHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN ment manufacturers, and Plant Manager Greg Treaster is standing in the Team Performance Center, a hallway that all employees walk through when they arrive to work, where any we do assembly of compoinformation that is vital for employees to know, from production metrics to announcements about a cookout, will appear. nents and processes that add value. It is precise work, and we can work in house,” Green added. “This high volume or really small specific site is one we like numbers of customized a lot.” parts.” Parkway Products exParkway Products panded the warehouse to serves businesses in the its current square footage energy and infrastructure, after purchasing the plant. industrial, aerospace and Green added that techdefense, technology, autonical resources were not motive, lawn and garden the only reason behind and health care markets, the company’s interest including just under 30 in Greeneville and LMR Fortune 500 companies, Plastics. Green said. He said the “Part of the reason for company is under conthe acquisition was that tractual obligation not to there was already good share its customers’ names, alignment with Parkway’s but parts are made for objectives,” Green said. companies near and far in “The point of view of ParkGreeneville and the compaway and LMR at the time ny’s other facilities around was that it was — and it is North America. — a good fit.” Plastic molding and He said what he loves fabrication became the most about Parkway, and company’s core prodpart of what fit so well with uct in 1957, according to the former LMR Plastics, Parkway’s website, and is the company culture, the name was changed to exemplified through a Parkway Products in 1964. non-religious Parkway Green joined the company Prayer recited for decades PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN in the company. as CEO in 2020, about a Theron Dawson, a production supervisor, has improved Parkway’s schedule efficiency since joining the team in April. year ahead of the 75th an“Parkway is not a reliniversary the company has gious company — we are for the Greeneville plant, there is a lot of technical Industries Manufacturing in 2017. been celebrating this year. here to make a profit, but located on Industrial Road. know-how here.” LLC. LMR Plastics was first “The infrastructure the Parkway Prayer is still “Greeneville is one of our Formerly LMR Plastics, founded in 1973 and opwas here already, and very relevant,” Green said. LOCAL OPERATIONS best plants,” Green said. “It the plant was acquired by erated under the Leonard this is also a relatively “It is very inclusive. It’s Thermoplastic injection is a mature plant with lots Parkway Products in 2017 family’s ownership from large facility with about a SEE PARKWAY ON PAGE 3 molding is the area of focus of technical resources, and from Greeneville’s Leonard 1996 until being purchased 10,000-square-foot ware-
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What’s Inside PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Lisa McCoy, a 24-year employee, is a key member of Parkway Products’ receiving department in Greeneville as a shipping and receiving clerk.
PARKWAY PRODUCTS CELEBRATES 75 YEARS........................2 ABOVE AND BEYOND QUALITY STRUCTURES AIMS TO LIVE UP TO ITS NAME................................................ .......4 BTL HELPS AMERICA KEEP THE POWER ON............................6 LET’S APPRECIATE OUR GREENE COUNTY INDUSTRIES...........7 TEVET INNOVATES IN PANDEMIC YEAR...................................8 GREENE ‘WORK READY’ STATUS BENEFITS NEW, EXISTING EMPLOYERS.........................................................10
On The Cover
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Theresa Rogers operates multiple plastic injection molding presses. She celebrated her second anniversary with Parkway on Oct. 28.
Above and Beyond Quality Structures employee Thomas Benton drives nails into a chicken coop using a pneumatic nail gun. Benton has worked at ABQS for six years. The Greeneville-based business builds custom structures — anything from cat houses to tiny homes — at its facility. Sun Photo By Spencer Morrell
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
The Greeneville Sun Salute to Industry Edition
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Parkway Products recently updated the employee break room and added several new and healthier snack and drink options. CEO Andrew Green said this is one of the many ways Parkway aims to create a work environment that is good for employees and where people are happy to work.
PARKWAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
about humility, seeing all opportunities as blessings to be grateful for, and being hungry to learn and do more and be smart in how we do it. It’s about seeing your workplace as a community, and we aspire with all of our policies to benefit people, not to harm anyone. We believe love is a better motivator than fear, and we want people to love to work here.” He said the Greeneville plant fit seamlessly into what he called the “family culture” of Parkway. “What I am most proud of about the Greeneville plant is that this is a very people-centric, people-first type of plant,” said Green. “Our basic belief is that the better we take care of our people, the better they take care of customers, and that is supported by the people in this community.”
PLANS TO GROW There are currently about 140 employees at the Greeneville facility, and Green said Parkway plans on continuing to grow, both company-wide and lo-
cally, in the coming years. “This is certainly one of the plants in our network that we want to grow, and that is really because of our human resources network,” he said. “We have a great group of people here, and people build a business.” He said plans call for substantial company-wide growth and investment over the next five to 10 years, but that growth will be slow and steady. “We will be putting in a couple of new pieces of equipment and plan to invest about $5 million over the next five years. That is an easy commitment for me to make,” he said. A top priority with expanding, though, is to continue to maintain the culture, which Green said is what he attributes the company’s success to, and what attracted him to Parkway. “We will be counting on our existing plants and people like we have here to help us grow and expand and still keep the same values and culture,” Green said. “I see Greeneville as a platform for the growth of Parkway because we are really, really good at what we do here, and I think we can do more of it for more
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PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Eric Reaves, a 19-year process technician, and Jamie Comi, a business development manager celebrating his fourth anniversary with Parkway on Nov. 6, discuss the day’s production runs to respond to customer needs.
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Ashley Bowman is sorting inserts and components in the Value Add Assembly department. She has worked for the company for more than five years.
customers.” Green said he appreciates cooperation and assistance from local governments as well as employees’ hard work. “It is really nice to be in a community that helps us operate here. That is not
always the case, but it is here,” Green said. “I really appreciate Greeneville and Greene County, the support we have had here and the willingness to work with us over the years.” “This has been a really
hard year working through the pandemic and supply chain issues,” Green continued. “Thank you to this community for your patience, and thank you to everyone who has been here working to make it all
happen, because it’s not easy.” Parkway Products in Greeneville is located at 1609 Industrial Road. For more information, visit www.parkwayproducts.com.
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Terry Bain and April Howard, recent additions to the Parkway team, work together to produce internet wiring housing cabinets.
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Floyd Peryeah and Michael Peryeah, a father and son team of press operators who recently began working for Parkway, inspect the quality of parts coming off the press.
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
Above And Beyond Quality Structures Aims To Live Up To Its Name BY SPENCER MORRELL
and his team of eight workers to build four to five structures a day without having to Above and Beyond Quality worry about the weather. Structures is not just the The structures are built name of a business for owner from scratch in the facility. Adam Milhorn. It is a motto. The necessary lumber is No matter the shape, cut out on site and then the size, or location, Above and structures are built, roofed, Beyond Quality Structures painted, and finished all in will custom build a building the same facility before they and deliver it to a customer’s are delivered to customers. specified location. The entire process takes According to Milhorn, the place in the same location. goal of ABQS is to ensure According to Milhorn, that customers get exactly those structures could take what they want, delivered to any shape. exactly where they want it. “We’ll do anything. Cus“If someone wants sometom work is what we love,” thing built upside down, we’ll Milhorn said. do it,” Milhorn said. ABQS has built storage Milhorn has been in the sheds of all sizes, chicken business of building sheds coops, hog houses, horse and small structures for the run-in sheds, greenhouses, last 20 years. dog kennels, small garages, He started ABQS in an old cat houses, and tiny homes. tobacco barn in Limestone “We do tons of tiny six years ago, before moving homes,” Milhorn said. the business to its current The construction process location at 390 E. Andrew at the ABQS facility is a Johnson Highway two years streamlined operation with ago. each employee filling an The current location, important role. which was formerly a rollerThe construction process skating rink, allows Milhorn inside the facility is split up STAFF WRITER
into four unique stations. In the first step of the process, one dedicated employee cuts raw lumber material into specified lengths, and shapes. These pieces are then arranged in stacks. Each stack of cut lumber is enough to make one structure. These stacks then await use by one of the builders in the facility. The next step in in the process is the construction of the floor, walls, and roof frame of the structure. This task is done in one of the three construction bays at the facility. One employee works individually in each bay, each one working on their own structure. Each employee is usually able to build one to two structures a day. In most cases, a single employee builds the structure from the ground up. Exceptions sometimes occur if the building is rather large, such as a tiny home. After a structure is finished in one of the construction bays, it is moved to the painting bay. As the name SEE ABQS ON PAGE 5
SUN PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRELL
Owner of Above and Beyond Quality Structures Adam Milhorn stands in front of a finished product. This structure, which has windows and a transparent roof, will serve as a greenhouse.
SUN PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRELL
Structures are built in three bays, with one employee in each bay. A chicken coop, a horse run-in, and a storage shed are shown here being constructed in the bays.
SUN PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRELL
Above and Beyond Quality Structures employee Seth Martin installs a tin roof on a structure. Martin’s task is to put a roof on every structure that is built by the workers in the three construction bays. SUN PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRELL
Above and Beyond Quality Structures employee Thomas Benton drives nails into a chicken coop using a pneumatic nail gun. Benton has worked at ABQS for six years.
we make the world a more thoughtful & caring place every. single. day. SUN PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRELL
After being cut to specific measurements, lumber is placed in stacks. Each one of these stacks will become a structure.
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The Greeneville Sun Salute to Industry Edition
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SUN PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRELL
Above and Beyond Quality Structures is located at 390 E. Andrew Johnson Highway at what used to be a rollerskating rink. It has provided the perfect venue for building structures without concern of weather.
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
The trailer is loaded and ready for travel at Above and Beyond Quality Structures.
GREENE COUNTY PARTNERSHIP
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Above and Beyond Quality Structures literally goes above and beyond to deliver a shed to a customer.
ABQS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
suggests, this is where each structure is painted a specified color by request from the customer. Each structure is given two coats of paint. According to Milhorn, who does the painting himself, the facility is able to be heated in the wintertime which helps the freshly painted sheds dry. Once a structure is painted, it moves on to the roofing bay. One employee works in the roofing bay, and puts a roof on every building that is constructed. The color of the roof can be custom chosen by the customer, as well. A roof can even be made of transparent material if requested. The finishing touches can be put on a structure after it has a roof put on it. Milhorn hangs any doors and installs any windows a structure may require, and then the structure is ready for delivery. Each shed from ABQS comes with a 10 year
“bumper to bumper” warranty, according to Milhorn. ABQS delivers structures to private customers as well as businesses and companies. In the past, ABQS has delivered structures to Angus-Palm in Greeneville and to the Veterans A airs Center in Johnson City. ABQS has delivered structures all over East Tennessee, serving customers as far as Roan Mountain and Mountain City. Some structures have even been delivered in Western North Carolina. The company also sells structures from a lot in Elizabethton. Milhorn says they try to keep the lot stocked with 20 structures as much as they can. According to Milhorn, 20 structures can be sold o the Elizabethton lot in two to four days. Structures are delivered from the ABQS facility to customers on a large specialized trailer hooked to a truck. The trailer is able to rotate and tilt in order to fit structures into tight spaces.
The trailer hauls the structures to their desired location and deposits them exactly where they are wanted down to the inch. According to Milhorn, if a structure is requested in a location that the truck cannot access then the structure will be loaded on skids and dragged to its permanent home. ABQS has no shortage of custom orders currently, and Milhorn is looking to hire another employee to help keep up with business. Milhorn would like to keep growing ABQS. While he is able to keep a small number of sheds stocked in front of the ABQS facility, he would eventually like to have a dedicated lot in Greeneville stocked full of structures of all shapes and sizes. So the next time you see a structure going down the road on the back of a large trailer in East Tennessee, know that the structure could be a quality structure from Greeneville.
Chamber of Commerce • Economic Development Tourism • Education & Workforce Development Keep Greene Beautiful
We salute our local industries for their outstanding contributions, exceptional performance and continued dedicated commitment to Greeneville and Greene County.
115 Academy Street Greeneville, TN 37743 (423) 638-4111 fax: (423) 638-5345 www.GreeneCountyPartnership.com
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The Greeneville Sun Salute to Industry Edition
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
BTL Helps America Keep The Power On BY CAMERON JUDD ASSISTANT EDITOR Watson Leonard, president of B.T.L. Industries, will not tell you that every electrical transformer in America contains a component or two made at B.T.L.’s Greeneville plant. But he will tell you that almost all the domestically made ones do. That includes the “single-phase” cylindrical transformers mounted on roadside power poles and also the large and more box-like “three-phase” ones standing on concrete pads outside of buildings. Though some in the community sometimes have described the company as a manufacturer of transformers, that isn’t precisely true, according to Leonard. B.T.L. manufactures various components that go into transformers, continually shipping thousands of mostly small components out of its neatly maintained Industrial Road plant. Those parts go into the assembly of transformers elsewhere. Asked for a summary statement defining what B.T.L. does, Leonard said: “We are a contract manufacturer for the electrical distribution industry.” Because the Dyersburg, Tenn., transformer plant that B.T.L. supplies is a leading manufacturer in that field, components assembled by Greeneville workers are present in transformers all across the nation and beyond.
SUN PHOTO BY CAMERON JUDD
B.T.L. operates in this building on Industrial Road.
goes into keeping the place as tidy as possible, and placing each job in its own station within the plant. The company is a key supplier for Dyersburg-headquartered Electric Research and Manufacturing Cooperative, Inc., or ERMCO, described on its website, ermco-eci.com, as “a wholly owned subsidiary of ArkanTHE TRUCKS ROLL ON sas Electric Cooperatives, B.T.L. keeps trucks Inc. (AECI), Little Rock, rolling along the 420 miles Arkansas.” between Greeneville and With all product lines Dyersburg week after week, made in the USA, ERMCO, carrying B.T.L. products also called ERMCO-ECI, is that help keep America one of the largest producpowered up and running. ers of oil filled distribution Because the work uses transformers and transand generates so many former components in the small parts, disorganization United States. Incorporated is something B.T.L. cannot in 1964, ERMCO transa ord, its management former production began in team says. Thus much e ort January 1971.
ERMCO’s website references Greeneville, noting that ERMCO-ECI “expanded into 400,000 square feet in two buildings in Dyersburg, plus 100,000 square feet of production area in a leased facility in Greeneville, Tennessee, for its components business.” That components business is B.T.L.. “We’ve been with ECI since 1998,” Leonard said.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME Where does the B.T.L. name come from? It is a reference to the company founder, the late Bill Terry Leonard, a highly active community and business leader in his native Greeneville. The initials of his name made for a handy
working name for a new company, and the easily remembered moniker stuck. Terry, who passed away in the spring of this year, was the father of Bob Leonard, who worked with him in the establishing days of B.T.L. Terry also was the father of Watson Leonard, who says today that he greatly misses his father in both family and business life. He noted the personal touch that characterized his father’s approach to business and industry. Terry Leonard’s obituary notes that he “enjoyed the wonderful relationships he built with the people he worked with at Box Pack Manufacturing, B.T.L. Industries, LMR Plastics, and Leonard Associates Manufacturing.”
Watson Leonard verified that, recalling the somber atmosphere at B.T.L. when employees learned of Terry Leonard’s passing. Many of those people had been not only Leonard’s employees, but also his close friends, the B.T.L. president said. Many of them were personally hired by Terry Leonard. Watson’s mother, the late Kay Leonard, had the maiden name of Watson, which is where Watson’s name comes from. Kay Leonard was, like her husband, highly active in local life. An educator, she and Terry met through a blind date while she was a student teacher in the Greeneville City School System. In later life she would chair the city’s board of education.
Watson Leonard said that Greeneville schools remain a cause that B.T.L. supports as part of its corporate citizenship, often through the GCS Education Foundation. B.T.L. also is active in the Greene County Partnership and the United Way, and is a sponsor of the YMCA.
HOW IT BEGAN Terry Leonard’s willingness to explore new endeavors gave him an evolving professional life and helped lead to the formation of B.T.L. Leonard started his work career in 1963 in the clothing business, opening the Men’s Shop. Later he expanded into real estate SEE BTL ON PAGE 7
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COMMENTARY
Let’s Appreciate Our Greene County Industries
E
ach year, Manufacturing Day is held on the first Friday in October in order to showcase industries that comprise this important component of our economic base in Greene County. We are very fortunate that we had visionaries in this county that recognized that our world was changing from a very agricultural-centric base to a more modern technology, consumption-based economy post World War II. Agriculture is the number one industry in Tennessee, followed by tourism. However, in Greene County, manufacturing is number one, and so we celebrate those companies that have
chain/logistics, automotive, building structures, holiday supplies, packaging, refrigeration, food solutions, mre’s/practice bombs, lawn and garden to zinc strip/products. Greene County has a global manufacturing base consisting of U.S., German, Korean, Dutch and British companies. This diversification of both product and ownership creates a form of JEFF TAYLOR recession proofing that invested and continue to other communities do invest in Greene County. not possess. Granted, we The industry base in saw an immediate impact Greene County consists of of a pandemic, yet, we a diverse mix of companies rebounded more quickly that produce or serve our than counties that did not local and global econohave this diversification my that includes supply or were so heavily service
industry based. In fact, we have seen job growth and capital investment by many of our local industries. This continued investment is a statement to their confidence in our community and the support and collaboration of our citizens. The collaboration between education, industry and state/local government and agencies is one reason that Greene County has managed to continue to grow as well as recruit new businesses. Collectively, our goal is to have a highly trained and educated workforce to manage the challenges of a rapidly changing economy and increase opportunities
that improve the quality of live for ALL Greene Countians yet, ensuring that we preserve what we love the most … Greene County. Proudly, Greene County has retained our TVA Sustainability Community certification. In 2017, Greene County was awarded a Silver Community designation. Greene County is one of 17 communities in the 34-county region of TVA. Note: you can apply as a municipality or as a county. This opportunity is very important as green/sustainability initiatives are becoming increasing not only in the United States but also globally. Com-
panies want to relocate where communities are engaged in green initiatives to improve the quality of life and the environment in which they live. Our industry base is highly engaged and working to always improve their sustainability programs. As we continue to expand our manufacturing base, this is also a very important component of our decision process. As they say, “There is no “I” in team.” It is a team effort with our industries and we say THANK YOU for investing and believing in Greene County! Jeff Taylor is president and CEO of the Greene County Partnership.
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423-639-6521 PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
This transformer, the six millionth one made by its manufacturer, ERMCO, contains some components from B.T.L. in Greeneville.
“Low voltage breakers” top both of those, shipping at a rate of 13,000 a week. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 All those items and others go into creating the essential development and manufacmodern domestic and industuring. trial tool of the transformer. The senior Leonard And just what is a transremained active with B.T.L. former? until 2004, and “stepped Here is a good online away” from a full-time role in definition from an electrical 2005, Watson Leonard said. cooperative: “A transformer In B.T.L.’s early days, it is an electrical apparatus had on-site, in addition to that manipulates the level regular employees, severof voltage flowing through al employees of GE out of any point in a power grid. North Carolina who helped In a distribution system, the ensure the product was in transformer decreases the compliance. Today, seven onvoltage traveling through site employees of ECI work at power lines to a level more LOTS TO KEEP UP WITH suitable for residential and BTI to provide “tech support Essential to that team is a and expertise,” Leonard said. commercial use.” high level of orderliness and Today B.T.L. has 65 Though squirrels may organization, simply because have a famously disharemployees, and works three of the number of parts shifts: first, second and monious relationship with shipped out each week. weekend. transformers, the modern “Small breakers” are April Hawk Swatzell, electric-powered world could whose duties include human shipped out at a rate of about not function without them 2,100 per week. Another part and the parts that make them resources at the plant, said called “operating details” also work, courtesy of Greenthat some employees have ships 2,100 per week. impressive longevity on the eville, Tennessee.
BTL
job. Until recently, it had three employees with more than 30 years on the job, and several with 20 or more years. Until some recent retirements skewed the average, B.T.L. had an average employee work time of about 13 years. It still is over 11 years with the retirements factored in. Leonard said a goal throughout B.T.L. is to build and maintain a sense of being “a team,” from the manufacturing force on up through management.
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
An aerial view of the TEVET headquarters at 310 T. Elmer Cox Drive in the Mt. Pleasant Industrial Park.
TEVET Innovates In Pandemic Year BY KEN LITTLE
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
STAFF WRITER TEVET continues to grow and innovate during challenging times. As with many manufacturers across the nation, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the Greene County-based company to adjust to market conditions. TEVET moved into a new headquarters building at 310 T. Elmer Cox Drive in the Mt. Pleasant Industrial Park in 2020. TEVET President and CEO Tracy Solomon founded the privately owned company in 2004. TEVET is a tech industry leader, o ering specialized services such as precision modular instrumentation, subsystems and complete test stations for the defense and aerospace industry. The initial business focus was the distribution of test equipment, but TEVET has expanded its services to also provide maintenance, repairs, operations assistance, chemical analysis and lab supplies, along with IT infrastructure. Clients include Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing. Many of the company’s projects are tied to national defense, along with product development and maintenance. Programs TEVET plays a role in include Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet and GPS III satellite programs, Boeing’s Apache helicopter and the NASA Artemis spaceflight program to return to the Moon and explore the lunar surface. During 2021, TEVET began o ering the Liberty Software-Defined Synthetic Instrument system, known by the acronym SDSI, “to assist our warfighters in testing and verifying advanced communication systems,” TEVET marketing director MaKinna Traylor said.
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SUN FILE PHOTO
Tracy Solomon, president and CEO of TEVET, addresses the crowd at the October 2020 open house marking the opening of the new TEVET headquarters on T. Elmer Cox Drive in the Mt. Pleasant Industrial Park.
TEVET also recently completed work on its System Integrated Lab, where the Liberty system will be manufactured. TEVET announced in June the acquisition of LibertyGT from RADX Technologies. A news release said that Liberty GT “is a real-time spectrum recording and reproducing system that delivers distinct flexibility and high accuracy,” with electronic warfare and 5G applications. Solomon said in a news release that TEVET is committed to serving the federal Department of Defense and Department of Energy, major contractors and other vendors “with quality technology that lowers the barrier to entry – and LibertyGT provides another way to do that.”
The platform “o ers cost-e ective, high-performance capabilities for testing e-war and 5G applications, where speed, performance, flexibility and future adaptability are critical to the mission – and we are proud to o er it to our customers,” Solomon said. Challenges relating to the pandemic include interruptions in the supply chain, including a global microchip shortage. The company maintains a diversified supply chain as one way of adjusting to market changes. “COVID-19 and now the chip shortage have both impacted our supply base. TEVET works closely with our suppliers to keep our customers informed of any
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PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN/ROBERT LUNA
The warehouse area at TEVET is extensive, offering clients room for test and measurement programs.
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN/ROBERT LUNA PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN/ROBERT LUNA
This is the conference room at TEVET, in the company headquarters on T. Elmer Cox Drive in the Mt. Pleasant Industrial Park. The headquarters building was opened in October 2020. The “refined and polished” building and interior space was designed “to capture the spirit of TEVET,” company President and CEO Tracy Solomon said.
TEVET
allow our o ce employees the ability to work from CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 home when cases have risen in the community or home delays that might occur,” remote school was necesTraylor said. “The Defense sary,” Traylor said. “We Priorities and Allocation have also implemented and System (program) does help maintained all OSHA and prioritize our deliveries, but CDC guidelines at our facilwe have still seen significant ity for those working at and delays.” visiting our headquarters.” Employee and client Solomon said at the safety remain priorities at formal opening of company TEVET, Traylor said. headquarters in 2020 that “TEVET has always TEVET could have located invested in and prioritized anywhere in the U.S., but our systems infrastructure chose to base operations in and its security. ThroughGreene County. out the pandemic, we have Solomon grew up on been able to be flexible to his family’s farm in the
Cedar Creek community. He enlisted in the Navy after graduation from high school and became an aviation electronics technician. He served in the Navy for six years before working at two Fortune 500 companies. TEVET was founded in 2004 in a home basement with two employees. In marking its 17th anniversary this year, TEVET has grown to include more than 60 employees nationwide. “TEVET has continued our trajectory of growth, even with the circumstances of the past two years.
Call or Text (423) 639-0900 2055 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy., Suite 2A, Greeneville,TN
We, like many businesses, are facing the challenge of finding talent with a limited employment market. However, our culture, our technology, and our ability to be agile provides us with an advantage when hiring,” Traylor said. TEVET’s 150,000-squarefoot headquarters includes 137,000 square feet of storage and prefabricated space. The company “can relieve customers of the functions of assembly, assembly of materials, assembly and construction of printing, which pose logistical chal-
This foyer area of TEVET and building space is refined, yet “bold, fun, engaging, and smart” capturing the spirit of the company, President and CEO Tracy Solomon wrote in a company news release following its opening in October 2020.
lenges for the development of a test and measurement system,” a news release said. One TEVET focus is giving back to the community. TEVET’s commitment includes active involvement in the Holston United Methodist Home for Children, SteppenStone Children’s Services, Disabled American Veterans, the Greeneville High School ROTC program and other veterans organizations, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Main Street Greeneville and the Capitol Theatre.
Solomon told those gathered last year at the comapny headquarters ribbon-cutting ceremony that he is optimistic about future growth. “I continue to see the potential for hope for a better future here and we continue to press forward,” Solomon said. “What I see is the future of opportunities here.” Current employment opportunities with TEVET can be viewed on its website career page at https://www. tevet.com/about/careers. For more information about the company, visit www.tevet.com.
We salute you and say “Thank You” to our local industrial customers for their outstanding contributions and dedicated commitment to Greeneville and Greene County! 100 North College St. Greeneville, TN 37743 636-6200 www.glps.net
Page 10
The Greeneville Sun Salute to Industry Edition
Greene ‘Work Ready’ Status Benefits New, Existing Employers Greene County earlier this year become a Certified Work Ready Community, joining Hancock, Hawkins and Sullivan Counties with the designation in the First Tennessee Development District. All eight counties that comprise the First Tennessee Development District have been working toward obtaining the designation. Site Selector magazine annually includes information about the Work Ready distinction as one of the best measures of workforce readiness as businesses look to expand to new communities, the Greene County Partnership said in an August news release. The certification also raises the work readiness to support existing employers in the area. Reaching the National Career Readiness Certificate goals established by the ACT Workforce division is foundational to certification, which for
Greene County equated to 813 such certificates earned. High school and college students, the unemployed and current workers who earn the National Career Readiness Certificate contribute to the success of Greene or any certified county. In the last year, the e orts of Christina Potts, business development specialist with the Greene County Partnership, and Kim Gass with the Greene Technology Center have brought a focus to encouraging Greene County residents to take the certification test and earn the certification. Employers like Eastman Chemical and A.O. Smith embed the National Career Readiness Certificate in their hiring and/or promotion practices Companies who utilize the certificate report greater success in hiring the right person the first time and in employee satisfaction. The National Career Readiness Certificate con-
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sists of three tests: applied math, graphic literacy and workplace documentation. All three of these areas are critical in all types of businesses. “It was really all about focus and having the right partners promoting the need and value of the NCRC to the individual,” Potts said. Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison said in August that achieving this certification “gives Je Taylor and the folks at the Greene County Partnership one more tool in their tool kit to set us apart as they seek to grow business in Greene County. Only 20% of the counties in Tennessee have achieved this certification, so this is meaningful for our county.” More information about the work ready communities’ initiative can be found at workreadycommunities. org, including the maps by state.
for Retired and looking t jus or do to ra ext ing someth ra ext wanting to collect some more income while learning an ng Bei about the community? rier car per independent newspa nce. can be a rewarding experie vide The Greeneville Sun will pro ich wh on you with customers per spa new ly to begin your dai ilable route. Extra money is ava te. rou r you upon building
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