KM Herald - Progress 2011

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Progress

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Progress 2011

Gamechangers.

In a region known for its old-line industries there is an industrial revolution going on. We’re making electricity from wind, powering cars from batteries and crafting components with the latest in laser technology.

We’re changing the game.

•Patrick Yarns: ‘We specialize in not specializing.’ Their yarns protect firemen, policemen and astronauts...Page 2 •American & Efird: 10 threads of sustainability have moved this company forward for 120 years... Page 3 •Farris Fabricating: 5,000 watts of laser power shape products for world class customers...Page 4 •Modern Polymers: From wrapping a Frigidaire to insulated concrete

foam, this injection molding company is an industry leader...Page 6 •Religion: The pulpit isn’t immune from technology either. Two area churches embrace technology to enhance services and reach more people...Page 8 •Wind Energy Supply: One local company blows onto the energy scene, supplying the parts that make the electricity...Page 11

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Progress

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Patrick Yarns Power from the sun spins yarn for the space station Earthspun gloves, water-swelling technical fibers in fiber-optic cables, fire-resistant carpeting for Air Force One are among products of Patrick Yarns.

By ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com

If it’s a fiber Patrick Yarns spins it.

Risking a new road was tough as this global economic crisis drags on, but Kings Mountain’s Gilbert Patrick was up to the challenge.

By all accounts, “Gil” Patrick is a trend-setting game changer.

His innovative technology coupled with the right products and the right people brought economic sustainability to Patrick Yarn Mills Inc., the lone Kings Mountain family-owned spinning plant that survived a vanishing textile market.

Patrick’s strategy to remain profitable by spinning a wide range of products for a diverse group of customers bucked the economic trend. Supplying fibers in so many markets meant the company was not reliant on any one segment for survival, and that continues to be a success story for Patrick in this struggling economy.

Today Patrick Yarns employs 180-190 associates, none of whom has ever been laid off, and that’s a record for a Kings Mountain industry.

Good news is that the company is expanding again in a new addition to its York Road plant with new jobs in manufacturing and supervision for 15-20 associates in mid-May. Patrick’s investment in the new addition is substantial.

Last December the innovative industry leader in technology became the first in the area in generating electricity with solar energy. Pioneering with the City of Kings Mountain in its recently adopted Regeneration electric rate, Patrick will be selling back the kilowatts it produces to the city.

Patrick installed 468 solar modules last year. The mounting, ballasted system is one of the largest privately owned systems in Cleveland County and in the Greater Charlotte area. It is expected to generate over 140,000 kilowatt hours per year, enough electricity to power 12 average US homes with annual environmental impact. According to EPA calculators, 100 tons of carbon monoxide will be

saved, equivalent to 11,310 gallons of gasoline, 234 barrels of oil, 2,578 trees planted and 19 passenger vehicles.

Patrick was in line to get a government grant for the high dollar project but was told he would have to move his operation to South Carolina. “No way,” said the astute businessman whose family roots in the North Carolina textile industry stretch back more than 100 years.

In the early 1900s, his grandfather, Gilbert Dixon Hambright, started Kings Mountain Cotton Oil, a cotton gin, a coal yard, and an ice plant, a business for all seasons. Those industries began to wane in the 1960s and Gilbert Patrick’s father, H. Lawrence Patrick (for whom the Kings Mountain Senior Center is named) bought used textile equipment and started Patrick Yarns, focusing exclusively on spinning industrial mop yarn.

Patrick Yarns is the only family owned spinning plant left in Kings Mountain which 50 years ago was a big textile community. Over the years, the Carolinas lost hundreds of textile mills employing thousands of people.

Patrick Yarn Mills Inc. headquartered at 501 York Road, has consistently grown since its beginning in that location 10 years ago. Patrick also operates at its first location in Kings Mountain at 700 S. Railroad Ave. Patrick Yarns produces cutand heat-protected apparel and technical yarns–a highly diversified operation that produces nylon aircraft apparel, and yarn for the fire-restrictive carpeting underlay used on Air Force One. Patrick yarn can be found in everything from the anti-microbial mops used at hospitals to the water filters used in homes or at municipal water treatment plants.

The company spins materials used in bullet-resistant vests worn by law enforcement and the high temperature heat-protection fibers found in a firefighter’s turnout gear. Patrick Yarns creates water-swelling textiles used in fiber optic cables and the company’s fibers can be found in devices used by NASA at the space station.

Patrick yarn is found in Earthspun gloves, in hydraulic hinges on aircrafts, slide hangers for hydraulic lifts on space crafts, and yarn for packing gaskets around pumps in power plants, among a number of products. From cotton blends to polyesters, Teflon,and stainless steel, Patrick Yarns spins every fiber globally available at either 100 percent or in blends. Patrick associates are doing everything possible to lessen the impact of the economy and create new avenues for business.

Patrick Yarns holds numerous patents and trademarks in engineered yarns and those used for filtration. Natural fibers such as cotton and hemp have ended up in blankets and upholstery.

Synthetic yarns have a variety of commercial uses, including in water filtration, as carpet backing and for automotive fan belts. The technical yarns developed from stainless steel, glass or Teflon find their way into fiber-optic cables and bushings used in spacecraft.

Patrick developed a fiber that could double the cut protection in the protective glove industry and increase abrasion resistance in gloves more than 300%. Patrick creates earthfriendly products and operates the Earthspun Full Circle Recycling program which uses fibers from finished apparel or fabric and incorporates customers’ unwanted textiles and scraps into engineered yarns or products that can be sold in other markets.

Patrick Yarns has emerged as a world leader by continually exploring innovative textile solutions for the most demanding industry specifications–building a legacy of revolutionary performance in delivering the best engineered yarns for every customer application.

The Patrick success story is simple, according to Patrick President Gilbert Patrick. “We specialize in not specializing,” he says.

At Patrick Yarn Mills in Kings Mountain in 2011 you can look for more diversification in a job-secure business where the “boss” never says he is an employer. The Patrick team are associates in a growing Kings Mountain industry.

Solar panels at Patrick Yarns Inc. in Kings Mountain has installed one of the largest privately-owned systems in the Greater Charlotte area. The company will be selling back the kilowatts of electricity it produces to the City of Kings Mountain.

Ring spinners at the Patrick Yarns plant in Kings Mountain, the only family-owned spinning plant in Kings Mountain, once home to ten such businesses.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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Progress

A&E celebrates 120 years of quality

By THOMAS LARK thomas.bannernews@gmail.com

MOUNT HOLLY—In today’s economy, staying in business for a few years is something to be proud of.

But to stay in business for 120 years is cause for a real celebration. And according to Cindy Easterday, American and Efird, Inc. has a lot to celebrate indeed.

Easterday said recently that she is happily settling in at her new position, directing the Mount Holly-based thread-manufacturing company’s human resources department.

She said that A&E is one of the world’s largest global manufacturers and distributors of industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles. Easterday added that A&E is proud and happy to do business in Gaston County and to be headquartered in Mount Holly.

“We are preparing to celebrate our 120-year anniversary,” she said, adding that the company began its operations on Dutchman’s Creek back in 1891. “We are the product of the consolidations and mergers of a number of textile mills that became known as the American Yarn and Processing Company in 1920.”

In 1947, the company bought controlling interest in the Efird Manufacturing Company, located in Albemarle.

“In 1952, we became American & Efird Mills, Inc.,” said Easterday. “We were the first textile company in North Carolina to digitally match colors, automate the doffing system on spinning frames and computerize dye machines.

“We have a global footprint in that we have almost 9,000 employees in 31 manufacturing facilities in 18 countries,” she added, “along with distribution op-

erations in 29 countries.”

Locally, A&E employs almost 1,200 people in Mount Holly and Gastonia in five manufacturing plants, a distribution facility and its corporate offices.

“A&E believes in diversifying and globalizing our business,” said Easterday, “and we set high expectations globally and locally to better our environment and community. We set the highest level of sustainability compliance in the industry through our eco-driven initiatives with a program called the ‘ 10 Threads of Sustainability.’ We always look to do what is right!”

This program, she explained, consists of 10 tangible goals and guidelines.

“By looking at a sample of threads, you see that we are trying to drive the culture of innovation, creation and delivery in the area of sustainability,” she said.

Thread Number-One is the global carbon footprint, said Easterday, which focuses on improving energy efficiency. Thread NumberTwo is water conservation and recycling, which includes developing the water recycling systems throughout the world and minimizing the amount of water needed in the manufacturing processes.

Another thread is the seventh, which focuses on global environmental, health and safety and social responsibility concerns, calling for high standards of conduct, ethical business standards, regular worker training and a constant goal of zero injuries with high safety standards.

With the focus on health and safety, said Easterday, A&E believes in the wellness of its employees and their families. The company has invested heavily in onsite clinics, an on-site nurse practitioner and health coach, education and outreach to workers and spouses

Photographs courtesy of Cindy Easterday

At A&E, Laura B. Cathey works on the winding equipment. Cathey retired as winder last year, following nearly a quarter-century with the company. with chronic conditions to help them achieve better health.

“We have walking groups and an exercise group that take time before and after work as well as lunch hours and breaks to focus on their health,” Easterday said.

She added that as community stewards, A&E

strives to lead the way.

“We recently closed on a commitment to donate an easement to the City of Mount Holly for the Carolina Thread Trail walking greenway,” she said. “And last February, we sponsored Ida Rankin Elementary School in the ‘Are You Smarter than a Gaston

County Fifth Grader?’ fundraiser to provide grants to Gaston County school teachers for innovative classroom initiatives.”

In this fundraiser, Easterday explained, A&E employees competed alongside the fifth grade coaches.

“Amongst many local charitable donations, A&E

leads the charge in United Way campaigns every year,” she said, adding that in 2010, the company’s employees donated and raised almost $235,000 for the United Way. “A&E is committed to our community and will always strive to lead the way.”

What could be more “Progressive” than a

We have been a proud Kings Mountain employer and corporate citizen for over 50 years, and salute all of our neighbors who faithfully support our community.

Chemetall Foote

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Progress

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Constant evolution keeps Farris strong ‘The latest ‘tech’ does the job’

By MICHAEL E. POWELL michael.cherryvilleeagle@gmail.com

Farris Fab’s president Bryan Farris and general manager Mike Bumgardner are all smiles as they look over their sprawling plant.

It stands poised to grow even more as they plan to continue moving some operations from the Bessemer City location to their new Cherryville expansion.

They’re not leaving Bessemer City, Farris notes, just expanding to Cherryville.

“We have a great name in the industry,” Bumgardner says. “We’ve had three new major players call us recently, and we’re doing more business than ever before.”

Farris Fab has a number of clients, and according to the company’s brochure, they are some big name folks.

The company does manufacturing work for companies like Daimler, Doosan, Kubota, Trane, Baldor, Yale, and Hyster, just to name a few, and their dedication to perfection for their clients is second to none, said Farris.

The company was the recipient of a $400,000 North Carolina Rural Center grant, which helped it in its expansion into Cherryville. In that expansion, they now have a new 5,000-watt laser and a new press brake machine to assist in filling all orders that come their way.

The new laser, Bumgardner says, is the first up and running in their new 110,000 square foot plant. It is a $645,000 machine and can cut all types of metal, from stainless and aluminum, to inch-thick steel.

The new press brake is the third high end brake they’ve bought in a year, Bumgardner said.

Farris says they hope to be moved into the new plant in the second or third week in May. Farris Fab credits their

growth on many things, and Bumgardner says they have “good people” working for them. “We’ve built a great team, 136 right now, in the Farris group,” he says.

Additionally, both Farris and Bumgardner say that the City of Cherryville, especially (Chamber and EDC Director) Richard Randall, has treated them well in their growth endeavors.

Some general refurbishment was needed at the ‘90sera Bernhardt plant which they now occupy.

“We tore out carpet, removed the glue, and acidetched the floors,” Bumgardner says, just to name a few things needed to get the place ready to move into.

The old sodium lighting was removed and they’ve gone back and added energyefficient lighting. Bumgardner says the consume 60 percent less power, yet provide more light.

Bryan Farris says their company is constantly evolving in many ways in order to grow, diversify, and provide stable employment in the communities they’re in as well as making sure their customers receive the best service and products they can produce and provide.

“I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: we’ve been blessed,” he says, “in that we’ve been able to grow during the recession due to a strong balance sheet.

“We are also blessed in that we have many employees with us today who have been with us for a long time.

Their loyalty means a lot to us.”

And grow they certainly have; they have added not only a new building and fixtures, but have been able to add people, equipment as well as customers.

In addition to the large ticket items needed to grow their business, Farris and Bumgardner say communi-

The big 5KW laser being moved into the new plant in Cherryville. Photo submitted cation in the plant and out on the floor expedites everything, from those checking the product on the floor to those in the various departments needing to be kept up to date on the processes in the course of a job or task.

“We have four expediters in the shop making sure the orders are being finished and done in a timely manner,” Mr. Farris says. To that end, Farris, who is a great believer in new technologies, says the stay in touch using the latest tech to do that.

“We’re using smart phones and I-Pads. No doubt, smart phone technology and such has greatly improved our communication!” he adds. In some instances, Farris says the phones have Bryan Farris, president of Farris Fab in Cherryville and Bessemer City (in plaid shirt) and apps on them to check cer- General Manager Mike Bumgardner (striped shirt) look over their state-of-the-art Press Brake. tain bar codes in order to photo by MEP/The Eagle make sure there is a smooth Farris and Bumgardner, to what amounts to miles of tion industry. Even now, Farflow of product.

“It’s called Material Re- spend between $450,000 to data cables and fiber optics, ris says they are “actively pursuing” a partnership with source Planning, or MRP in $500,000 in the next two Farris says. three global companies. He Running the length of the months, on operations. short, and it really helps us,” can’t however, elaborate on huge complex are four giant New equipment is part of he says. “It handles every different phase in the com- the larger costs of operating cranes to move parts and who they are due to his own business ethics and conpany from quoting through a plant such as Farris Fab. such around as needed. straints.

The 5KW laser With the addition of the new invoicing and such.

“We do expect that part($645,000) cuts metal of all laser and press brake, Farris “It certainly cuts down on a lot of time spent searching says at least $700,000-plus types and the Toyokoki nership to possibly generate in capital equipment has HYB-85 press brake, which another $5 to 10 million in something out otherwise.”

Plans are, according to been added to the new loca- bends and forms metal, is a annual revenues,” he says.

Anyway you cut it, Farris state-of-the-art machine. tion.

As for the plant itself, “It’s as ‘high-end’ as you can Fab is poised to grow and Farris and Bumgardner note go in a press brake,” Bryan continue to change the face of Cherryville’s economy in that the offices inside the says.

All of this combines to the near future. plant will house the producIt’s their way of giving tion manager, expediters, help this $20 million a year quality, purchasing and ma- business in our own back- back to the community, Farchine programmers. These yard continue to be a “mover ris says. are all interconnected by and shaker” in the fabrica-

Belmont area jumps into the rising tide of tourism dollars

By THOMAS LARK thomas.bannernews@gmail.com

A&E is one of the w world’s orld’s largest largest global manufacturers manufacturers and distr distributors ibutors of industrial industrial sewing thread, thread, embroidery embroidery thread thread and technical technical textiles. textiles.

We’re We’re proud proud to to b be e a par partt of the community community since since 1891

American American & Efird, Efird, IInc. nc.

P..O. Box P.O. Box 507 Mount Holly y, NC 281 28120 Mount Holly,

BELMONT—Think North Carolina’s tourism options are limited to the mountains and the beach?

Think again, says Water Israel, director of Gaston County Travel and Tourism. Israel said recently that some of the Tarheel State’s best travel and tourism options are local—right here in the Belmont area.

One popular spot is the Belmont Historical Society complex at 40 Catawba St. in downtown Belmont. The society recently loaned an exhibit of Indian artifacts to the center. They were displayed in the center’s lobby, as Israel noted.

And one quick way to see the progress made by his department in encouraging more folks to visit Gaston County is to check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/visitgaston.

Gaston County, Israel said, really is a place with a little of everything. He explained his department’s role in promoting that concept.

“Gaston County Travel and Tourism and Visit Gaston promote our great attractions as well as shopping, restaurants, sports and more!” he said.

“This is accomplished through our Visit Gaston staff, visitors center, interactive Website, visitors guide, social media, commercials and ads in various magazines and publications.

“The goal is to attract as many visitors as possible to stay overnight in our hotels and motels. Gaston County is a great tourism destination!”

The department has been around since the early 1990’s, said Israel, following the North Carolina Legislature’s passage of the occupancy tax in December of 1988.

What makes Gaston County so special?

What doesn’t? It’s the total package, says Israel.

“Unlike other surrounding counties,” he said, “we are uniquely green with great attractions, such as Crowders Mountain State Park, Belmont’s own Daniel Stowe

Photograph by Bridget Summerville

From the left are the Gaston County Travel and Tourism Center’s Shawna Shane, Debbie Peritz and Walter Israel. They’re pictured with a recent display of Indian artifacts, on loan from the Belmont Historical Society and exhibited at the tourism center. The center is located at 620 N. Main St. in Belmont and is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Botanical Garden and the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia. A coordinated effort to promote tourism makes good use of a community’s existing resources. This helps to package and promote through advertising.”

But not every picture is rosy. Israel noted that the bad economy has had its local impacts.

There has been, he said, a “loss of revenue through fewer overnight stays and a drop in rates. Accommodations in Gaston County are 40 percent lower than in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.”

However, there is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, as Israel observed, and a possibility for growth and gains.

“We see our future growth through amateur sports,” he said, “seasonal festivals and tour packaging.”

The Gaston County Travel and Tourism Center is located at 620 N. Main St. in Belmont. It’s open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

To learn more, call the center’s Shawna Shane at 704-825-4044.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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Progress

area, locating your personal physician cian has neverr be been easier.

Your o personal physician’s primary prima ar goal is a healthier you. So whetherr iccian you’re looking for a primary care physician ion on’s or a specialist, get connected to the region’ preferred healthcare providers. We have board-certiďŹ ed physicians afďŹ liated with Cleveland County HealthCare System who provide comprehensive medical a amily . services to every member of your famil Through an enduring relationship with your personal physician, you receive con nvenient, coordinated and comprehensive healthcare.

Family Medicine

Specialty

1 Bessemer City

Specialty

eeland Endocrinology 6 Clevvel

Family a Medicine 3326 Bessemerr City Rooad Bessemer Cityy, NC 28016 704-629-0412

12 Sanger Heart &

502 W. King St., Suite C Kings Mountain, NC 28086 980-487-2270 Hand Surgery 807 Schenck St., Suite 3 Shelby, NC 28150 980-487-2340

112 S. Oak St. Cherryville, NC 28021 980-487-2200

3 Fooothills Family

Vaascular Institute 706 W. King St. Kings Mountain, NC 28086 980-487-5510

Sleep Associates 802 N. Lafayette St. Shelby, NC 28150 980-487-2700

5 Shelby Family a Practice –

709 N. DeKalb St. Shelby, NC 28150 281 980-487-2100

OB/GYN 18 Shelby Woomenn’s Carre 110 W. Grover St. Shelby, NC 28150 281 704-487-5258

Associates 608 W. King St. Kings Mountain, NC 28086 980-487-2240

10 Klein Neurology

Boiling Springs 708 McBrayer Homestead Rooad Shelby, NC 28152 28 980-487-2090

17 Shelby Childrenn’s Clinic

14 Clevveland e Medical

Infectious Disease 502 W. King St., Suite B Kings Mountain, NC 28086 980-487-2299

1124 N. Waash ashington St. Shelby, NC 28 28150 980-487-1148

Pediatrics

Internal Medicine

9 K Kiings Mountain

Practice 4 Shelby Family a

Medicine Associates ssoc s 181 Daniel Rooad Forest Cityy, NC 28043 828-286-9036

13 Sanger Hearrt &

8 Clevvel eeland Pulmonary and

Healthcare 249 Oak St. Forest Cityy, NC 28043 828-245-3158

16 Ruther u ford Internal

Vaascular Institute 111 W. Grover St. Shelby, NC 28150 704-482-1006

7 Clevveland el e Plastic and

2 Cherrryyville Primarryy Carre

Internal Medicine

19 Kings Mountain Women o n’s Carre 821 E. King St. Kings Mountain, NC 28086 704-734-0304

15 Kings Mountain

and Sleep 222 N. Lafayette Street Shelby, NC 28150 704-487-7256

Internal Medicine 502 W. King St., Suite A Kings Mountain, NC 28086 980-487-2290

11 Neurology Center of Shelby 202 E. Grover St. Shelby, NC 28150 980-487-2360

20 Boiling Springs 2 Women o n’s Carre 335 W. College Ave., Suite A Shelby, NC 28152 2815 704-434-0990

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Progress

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Modern Polymers, Inc. molds its own future

By MICHAEL E. POWELL michael.cherryvilleeagle@gmail.com

The Hilliard family of Cherryville has been quietly molding their plastics business for the last 40-plus years in Gaston County. And molding has been good to them, they will tell you. The company has won numerous awards and accolades in their segment of the plastics industry over the years.

Clearly, they are making all the right moves.

“We have, as of December 2010, an ISO-9001: 2008 standards rating,” Hilliard says. “We have been recognized by customers as their ‘Supplier of the Year’ due to the quality standards we commit ourselves to attaining.”

Richard Hilliard, the father, founded Modern Polymers, Inc. (MPI), in 1970.

He and his sons, Rich and Jon, have operated a hightech plastics molding company, and have been quietly and consistently growing and adding new technologies to make them more competitive in their chosen market.

Rich, 42, is the VicePresident of Production while brother Jon, 39, is VP of Sales. And sales and production have been good for the 40-plus-year-old company.

“We produce custom packaging for many of the white goods manufactured in the U.S. today,” Rich Hilliard says. “White goods” in this case translates out to being high-end refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and such made by such wellknown names as Frigidaire, Electrolux, and Haier.

The company, which has 40 employees, manufactures its paqckaging using various plastics molding procedures such as Expandable Polystyrene (EPS). In addition, MPI utilizes a new technology, Insulated Concrete Foam (ICF) which creates molded styrofoam building blocks utilized in the construction of homes in hurricane and severe weather-prone locations. The styrofoam block is fire retardant.

Finally, MPI has recently employed an even newer technology of Expandable Polypropylene (EPP) material, which Rich says has more rubber in it than previous materials they’ve used.

“We fully recycle all our EPS, or about 800 to 1,000 pounds a day, back into new products,” he says.

With their in-house engineering capabilities, Hilliard says their computer-aided design (CAD) machines can cut out all prototypes of their designs quickly. MPI’s lead designer is Steven Phillips, who has been with the company for 24 years.

The company has been in Cherryville since 1977, Hilliard says, after a fire at their Gastonia plant forced them to look for another building. At one time they had as many as three plants, but their main one is in Cherryville, he says. Other plant

sites were in South Carolina and Florida, but they are no longer there.

As for their current size and status in the ever-growing plastics molding industry, Hilliard says Modern Polymers, Inc., is the largest EPS plant under one roof.

“We have more machines under one roof than anyone else in our industry,” he says.

Their Cherryville plant has a 52,000 square foot “footprint”, with more room for warehousing down the street, he notes.

Currently the plant has 24 German-made machines (both Kurtz and Hirsch) turning out the material used to make the custom-made and custom-molded packaging material for items as diverse as infant/child car safety seat forms and automobile parts forms (holding parts for big-name auto companies such as BMW), to specially designed and created forms to safely cradle satellite dishes and components.

The huge machines take quite a bit of time to install, Hilliard notes.

“It takes about two weeks just to put one of these big things in,” he says.

“They do all the work as they use a system of hydraulics, steam, air, and water, all under pressure of course, and electricity, to form the finished product,” Rich says.

For MPI, Hilliard says the product that has created the most growth in the last two and half to three years has been the expandable polypropylene.

“It is used in internal parts of an automotive product, literally becoming part of the product,” he says.

“You see it used a lot in places like car door panels, dash panels, and floorboards.” It is also what is used in the rigid interior structure for infant car safety seats for companies like Britax Child Safety.

Yep! That’s right. What makes children safe nationwide is made right here in Cherryville.

Other automotive and related items MPI makes inhouse are BMW’s (whose plant is located in Greenville, SC) trays for steering wheels and related dash and interior items. The high density EPP trays for BMW, Hilliard notes, are lightweight, but solid. “They cost them about $30 per tray and they purchase between 90,000 to 200,000 a year from us,” he says.

“What they do, is they place those items in our forms so the products can be easily moved around their plant for installation in their vehicles,” Hilliard says. “It helps save them time, space, and money.”

As far as even newer technologies, Hilliard says they are always on the lookout for not only “what’s new” in their industry, but what new projects they can get into.

“We’re looking at expanding even more in the au-

Big machines to do big jobs keep them on top!

(photos by Michael Powell)

Above Inside the Modern Polymers, Inc., plant, located on W. Academy. The plant has been molding and making products for 40-plus years and shipping them throughout the U. S. and the world.

Left Rich Hilliard and plant manager Joyce Paysour. Paysour has been employed at Modern Polymers, Inc., for 27 years, Hilliard says. tomotive scene with possible new projects involving Volkswagen,” he says.

Their volume of work seems to be ever-growing, Hilliard points out.

“As I mentioned earlier, we do all the package molding work for Dish Network and Direct TV’s products.

We ship roughly five truckloads a week for that,” he says, motioning to the large pallets of material waiting to

go out the door.

Other recycling work they are starting to get into includes foam items from universities.

“We’ll get anywhere from four to five truckloads of EPS foam a month to recycle, at $1 a pound,” he says.

Hilliard says all the dies for the forms they use and produce are owned by the customer.

As far as cost for the products, Hilliard says the EPP material is roughly $3 per pound while the standard white foam products are about $1 per pound. All that high-pressure, injection molded foam though has helped the company become a roughly $10 million-plus per year business, Hilliard says. The Cherryville company has customers nationwide and world-wide, and

Hilliard and his family are the first ones to admit they are “very fortunate”.

As for future growth, Hilliard says the next big thing for their industry is block molding, for very big items.

“Three years ago, EPP was the ‘step up’. We’re looking at growth to that next level (block molding) in a five to ten year time frame,” he says.

R-Anell changes its game with new products Moves into modular commercial buildings to keep up with economy, market

by MICHAEL E. POWELL michael.cherryvilleeagle@gmail.com

Plain and simple, R-Anell Homes likes doing business in Cherryville.

Clearly, since they are one of the more established (and award-winning) modular homes businesses in the area and in the Southeast.

According to Dennis Jones, president of the company, R-Anell Housing Group is the oldest, most established manufacturer of custom modular homes in the Southeast.

“Since 1972, we have been providing families with beautiful home designs featuring outstanding amenities and quality modular building systems,” Jones says. Headquartered in Cherryville, NC, the company partners with a

(photo submitted by R-Anell Housing Group)

R-Anell workers in the Cherryville plant putting in the step-by-step process of creating a fine quality R-Anell home for the market. network of long-term builders business in Cherryville in- ity previously located in the in the Southeast to bring our cludes the unparalleled qual- eastern part of Lincoln home buyers a thoughtfully ity of the labor force and also County; being here in Cherdesigned, well-built home. R- the lack of traffic, but still ryville is a welcome change,” Anell Housing Group began having the proximity to High- he says. operations in Gaston County way 321 and I-85 so they can As for “game-changing” in 1997, and currently em- transport efficiently. innovations, Jones says Rployees approximately 50 “We also enjoy the benefit Anell Homes continually impeople. of having plenty of local ven- plements innovations in the Jones says the things R- dors to supply the materials building systems industry.

Anell likes most about doing we need. With our main facilSe R-ANELL on Page 10

NEW AND REFRESHING

In stores now!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Progress

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Progress

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Digital church Even churches are embracing technology to spread God’s word

By KYRA ALEXANDER Kyra.kmherald@gmail.com

During the Middle Ages, church leaders taught mostly illiterate masses Biblical stories through images made of stained glass in the church windows.

We have come a long way since then. Now in the 21st century, any local congregation can have the best Bible teachers on the planet show up in the their pulpits every week by way of lifesize, high-definition, affordable, quality, video technology.

Smart and innovated church leaders have always embraced the latest technology of their day to further the Good News and spread the Word.

New technology has provided the church with changing ways to do unchanging things. When the printing press emerged, the church was quick to incorporate printed Bibles and curricula into its teaching ministry.

And few preachers resisted installing sound systems upon learning they helped congregants hear their teaching better.

The same is true of recent technologies. People are absorbing and using them, but sometimes without thought.

A hand-held video camera and inexpensive projection technology can make any pastor a movie producer and enable a return to personal testimonies in some churches.

E-mails and text messaging are providing new ways to call for religious decisions, dedications and to follow up on sermons.

Pastors post their topics

and Bible verses on Facebook or a blog, inviting questions, ideas, discussion, and personal illustrations as they prepare for the coming Sunday.

Tape recordings of sermons once took hours to duplicate and distribute. Now, preachers post their sermons online as MP3 downloads before parishioners get home from church.

Print-on-demand publishing allows every pastor to become a publisher. A preacher with a computer and an Internet connection can publish an attractive paperback collection of his or her sermons and make it available to the world within a week.

Two churches in Kings Mountain are expanding their technology to reach more people in the community, state, America, and around the world.

First Baptist Church of Kings Mountain is using technology to reach out more to the community.

First Baptist Church has three individual services on Sunday mornings. All these use different forms of new technology. Jonathan Bundon, Music Minister, explained each in detail and the technology they use.

“The 8:30 a.m. ‘contemporary service’ utilizes multimedia (screens, projectors, video, lights) along with a praise team and praise band (drums, guitars, keyboards) and a variety of other instruments from time to time,” he said. “We sing modern hymns, choruses, as well as familiar hymns often set to contemporary accompaniment. The service takes place in our main worship

Left to Right, Mark Cameron, Carol Caldwell, and David Lynn work on sound and video for the service. center.”

The 11 a.m. “blended service”, Bundon added, is more traditional. But hymn lyrics in traditional hymnals can still be found projected on screens at the front of the sanctuary.

Jason Laney works the soundboard, Power Point slides, and lights in the 8:30 and 11 services in the main worship hall.

“I believe the equipment we use is advanced in many ways, and with a lot of it being digital it allows us to be more flexible and gives us more options,” Laney said. “Many churches still use traditional analog sound equipment and do not have the feasible option of video and audio recording. I love my ‘job’ of running the house sound, and enjoy serv-

PHARR YARNS congratulates American and Efird, CaroMont Health and the other

"Game Changers" within our community who support our economy, provide jobs and enhance the quality of life for all Gaston County residents.

100 Main Street, McAdenville 704.824.3551 www.pharryarns.com

First Baptist Church Kings Mountain’s video and sound room showing all the technology.

Front to back, Sharron Cameron, Mary Lynn, and Terry Wampler work on the video for the service.

The Overflow service can who helps edit the program. ing in this way.”

“Voice of Triumph” can In these services the tech- be a projection of the early nology is different than other morning’s sermon, with now be seen on the World churches and Laney explains careful controlling, or simul- Wide Web twice weekly on taneously “live” with the 11 Gospel Channel Europe. The why.

“In the Sanctuary sound a.m. program. All three serv- program airs Fridays at 2:30 booth we use a digital sound- ices matter, according to a.m. and 11:30 p.m., GMT (11:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. board called the ‘house’ Bundon.

“Each person is unique. I Eastern Standard Time). board. It has a touch screen For more information, that allows us to access know that with various backmany different functions and grounds, personalities, and visit http://www.familyworkeeps the board free of so learning styles, worshipers s h i p . o r g / v o i c e _ o f _ t r i many knobs that are on tra- express themselves in differ- umph.htm.

Along with the weeklyditional analog boards. The ent ways. The question digital board allows us to shouldn’t be a matter of style televised program, the save different services as but of content and authentic church provides technology ‘scenes’. Whereas other worship,” he said. “In during its services to translate soundboard settings must be today’s society it’s the ‘me’ changed every time a differ- culture. Churches shouldn’t messages to different nationent service takes place,” he adopt the ‘me’ philosophy, alities.

A Spanish-speaking but at the same time, the said.

Even some of the church shouldn’t ignore the translator, armed with a church’s lights are consid- different ways people learn, wireless microphone in the ered “intelligent”. Four wash worship and express them- sound booth, relates the enand two spotlights are con- selves in worship. The one tire sermon to those requestthing you will find at all the ing it in the audience. The trolled in the sound booth.

“We have a computer services is people worship- translation comes straight to which is hooked to a video ing of all ages, and back- their earbuds, provided by the church. switcher, projectors, and grounds.”

Family Worship Center Kings Mountain’s Family video monitors,” Laney said.

“We run a special program Worship Center seems to also has French- and Gercalled ‘media shout’ that is agree that the main objective man-speaking translators on designed to be used for wor- is to reach the people and de- hand if they’re needed.

“The technology has ship services. It allows us to liver the message. They use project and cue slides, songs technology to send services made things easier and has made an impact,” said Lisa all around the world. and videos.”

The church’s “Voice of Korch, the church’s secreThrough the use of cameras, a controller, monitors, a Triumph” is broadcasted to tary. “It helps us get the word title maker and a computer and viewed in 81 countries: out quicker to other parts of the church is able to broad- all of Europe, the Middle the world.”

With all of technology’s cast its sermons and pro- East, northern Africa, and parts of Russia and China, blessings, though, it can also grams live on the Internet.

Another service was via Omega T.V., Gospel be a curse. Some congregaadded in April 2009 to han- Channel Europe, Thor and tions get obsessed with trendiness and forget that dle the “overflow” of other Hotbird satellites.

The church operates in technology is only a delivery services. The name of the service was picked partly for four markets in North Car- system—it doesn’t thicken thin content. Lay participathat reason and partly for the olina and five in Alabama.

They project the “Voice tion in developing a sermon purpose of the “Lord (to) fill us up daily until we ‘over- of Triumph” telecast to go is a wonderful idea, but the flow’ with His love and global, adding a US network preacher has to avoid heated grace,” said Jeff Johnson, connection. In September arguments.

Technology is a useful 2006 they expanded to Sky First Baptist’s youth pastor.

Coffee is served to News Satellite reaching 8 aid in communicating the parishioners in the Overflow million more homes in Great message, but the medium should never become the service at 11 a.m. and with Britain.

“I help edit the weekly message. the use of technology they Sound systems, light fixdon’t miss the message or its televised program that is messenger. Smart projection viewable 24 hours a day tures, and video are just equipment beams the pastor, through post-editing and live tools, but in the hands of almost in 3-D hologram streaming. We have around 3 church leaders dedicated to form, right into the room. million viewers in America extending the impact and Church leaders wanted and around the world,” said reach of the church, they can Overflow to be more mod- Mark Shuler, Family Wor- become powerful instruship Center’s youth pastor ments for good. ern. To the naked eye, it is.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Progress

Cleveland County’s First Choice in HealthCare Every Patient, Every Day, Always

Cleveland Regional Medical Center: 980-487-3000 Kings Mountain Hospital: 980-487-5000 www.ClevelandCountyHealthCareSystem.org

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Progress

Local businesses grow through innovation Chemetall Foote Corp.

348 Holiday Inn Rd., Kings Mountain

Chemetall traces its roots in Cleveland county back to 1955 when Foote Minerals began mining at the site for lithium.

The Kings Mountain site has served as the North American headquarters for the lithium business since the early 1990’s and today has 120 full time employees; it plans to add at least 17 more as production expands at the site. This area has allowed us to provide an attractive location that our employees have enjoyed with an excellent mix of recreational opportunities, mild weather and affordable costs.

Chemetall is a part of Rockwood Holdings, Inc., a global specialty chemicals company.

The Lithium Division of Chemetall is the world’s leading supplier of a broad range of lithium based compounds and provides the battery industry with a range of lithium metals and salts for a variety of battery applications. Chemetall Lithium has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Chile, Germany, and Taiwan.

KM Signs 714 Cleveland Ave., Kings Mountain

KM Signs was established in June of 2002. In the beginning, KM Signs created simple, yet effective, signs and graphics for our local community and businesses.

We currently have three employees that handle all design, manufacturing, and installation of many different types of signs.

With the ever-changing market demand for faster turnaround and more colorful signs, KM Signs has acquired the necessary equipment to fulfill these needs. We currently have a 54” wide, high-speed printer that prints beautiful, vivid prints that have great outdoor durability.

We also have a 54” wide and 30” wide vinyl cutter capable of high-speed, precision contour cutting. We currently offer fullcolor, photo quality digital printing on various types of materials such as banners, yard signs and custom vehicle decals, etc. The list of items that we offer continues to grow over time.

Getting to know our customers and helping them with various projects provides the

employees at KM Signs a sense of satisfaction, knowing that we are helping another company become successful. We feel it is vital that we support those who support us. Cleveland County is growing by leaps and bounds and we hope to continue to grow right along-side other businesses and organizations.

Life Enrichment Center of Cleveland County Adult Day Care and Health Services 222 Kings Mountain Blvd., Kings Mountain

Life Enrichment Center Adult Day Care and Health Services is definitely a game changer for our community.

When thinking about daycare, one automatically thinks of a child needing care while their parents are at work or a Mother’s Day Out program. But as the baby boomers and veterans flourish, the need for adult care does as well!

People are living longer and the sandwich generation of children taking care of their parents is here to stay!

Life Enrichment Center is an Adult Day Health Center, that serves frail older adults and those with mental and physical disabilities 18 years of age and older. Our tag slogan is that we will do “Whatever it Takes” to help caregivers and their loved ones continue to thrive and survive in an atmosphere of love and acceptance.

Life Enrichment Center began July 1, 1980 in a Sunday school room with two participants. Since then we made “game changing” history by being the first adult day center in the U.S. to build a new center from the ground up in 1995.

In 2004 we launched our services to include an additional facility in the Kings Mountain area. We have a combined caring staff of 32. The Shelby center outgrew its facility and built a new center which is the first and only LEED certified adult day center in the U.S. The future plans of Life Enrichment Center include building a third center in the Boiling Springs area.

The Printin’ Press, Inc. 714 Cleveland Ave., Kings Mountain

The Printin’ Press, Inc. was established in 1974. We started out as a very small print shop.

We are proud of the accomplishments we have made throughout the years. The Printin’ Press, Inc. now has nine employees.

The services we offer has also grown. We have recently updated our equipment so we are able to offer our customers more products and better quality with faster turnaround time.

Some of the services we offer are typesetting, graphic design, printing and designing business cards, color copies, continuous and snap-out forms, letterheads, envelopes, newsletters, wedding invitations, catalogs and brochures.

Our hope for the future is to continue to grow and provide our customers with any printing needs they may have. We pride ourselves in the quick turnaround and quality of our work.

production capabilities of producing virtually anything from business cards to books, including full-color printing, and copy work.

Much has changed since J.F. Westmoreland started printing in 1887. The modern printing facility in Shelby is one that would be difficult to recognize by the early generations of Westmoreland printers. What has not changed for over a century is the commitment to the clients which each generation of this family has served.

Putting Print To Work for customers throughout the Cleveland-Gaston-Mecklenburg region and beyond, Westmoreland Printers is located at 2020 East Dixon Boulevard in Shelby, NC and can be reached at 704-482-9100 or 704-5235019, or online at WestmorelandPrinters.com.

Westmoreland Printers 2020 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby

In 1887, John Franklin Westmoreland opened a printing company in Thomasville, NC. At this time, type was set by hand, much in the same way as when Johann Gutenberg first employed moveable type.

From these humble beginnings in a room in his brother’s chair factory, J.F. Westmoreland began a heritage of “Putting Print To Work” for businesses and individuals, throughout the Carolinas and beyond, that has continued for well over a century, through five generations of the family, and several different companies. The most recent was founded in 1999 when Wes Westmoreland opened a printing company in Shelby.

Since opening, Westmoreland Printers has grown from a single employee to more than 10 full and part-time employees, and has acquired the best of three printing companies including Riviere Printing in 2001 and GP Speed-O-Print in 2009.

In March of 2011, Westmoreland announced the purchase of the assets of Powerhouse Color of Charlotte, bringing to its offering expanded digital and large format capabilities.

Founded in 1991, Powerhouse Color has been recognized as one of the premiere digital print and signage companies in the Charlotte region.

Westmoreland Printers is a full-service print house with

Alcom Services Cherryville’s Alcom Services, Inc. helps customers solve business problems through technology and strives to be the technical solution for voice, data, video, sound, security and electrical wiring installation.

They offer a wide variety of turnkey solutions, from state of the art cabling systems and optical fiber connectivity to licensed electrical contracting.

The company was established in Gaston County in 1998, President D. Allen Eaker, Jr., said, and currently has 21 employees. “We are able to provide the same quality and customer service as larger corporations based in metropolitan areas without the daily stresses and commute,” Eaker said recently.

“Being a more family and neighborly oriented business benefits the entire staff as well as our customers.”

Eaker said the “gamechanging innovations” that he believes are going to see Alcom through any tougher economic times that might lie ahead are– as businesses and governments continue to rely more and more on advancing technologies– growth and expansion of the distribution infrastructure along with them.

“Alcom is doing clean-up and documentation work that other folks in our business just walk away from,” he noted.

“We have been going into customer’s data centers and/or data racks and cleaning up the mess they have and then documenting all the technology, for things like change control, which is a big concern and a part of the informational technologies (IT) process today.”

FleetNet America FleetNet America has two basic services that are customized to each customer’s need.

The first, TMcare, encompasses the management and administration of all maintenance, handled through third party vendors, for all types of commercial vehicles and material handling equipment.

This includes but is not limited to the PM schedules, FHWA annual inspections, pretrip inspection repairs, etc.

The second, Roadside, encompasses the emergency repair of class 3 through class 8 vehicles.

FleetNet has a platform that allows customers to customize their individual solution. Beyond the TMcare flexible solutions and the Roadside emergency services, we offer other specialized services such

as the management of unique vendor requirements for on-site repairs, specific vendor insurance requirements and the like.

We offer detailed computer integration and development to enhance the customer’s availability to operational data.

FleetNet began in 1953, as the internal breakdown department for Carolina Freight Corporation based in Cherryville. In 1993, the department was incorporated to allow the opportunity for other trucking companies to take advantage of our established nationwide breakdown service.

In 1995, Carolina Freight was purchased by Arkansas Best Corporation (NASDAQ: ABFS) which is still our parent today.

Our Roadside coordinators represent an average of over 25 years in maintenance, ranging from shop management to floor mechanic, as well as tire and recapping venues. In 1997, we experienced a name change to FleetNet America, Inc. FNA currently employees 147.

FleetNet America believes that it has in place what it needs to lead it through the current stormy economic waters. That is TMcare, which is a transparent fleet maintenance program that is an alternative to contract maintenance, full service lease and PEG programs that manage commercial vehicles and material handling equipment.

The purpose of TMcare is to manage vendors and the maintenance process, ensuring sound maintenance programs at every location nationwide, as well as DOT/OSHA rules and regulations and company compliance..

Phoenix Corporate Services Cherryville’s Phoenix Corporate Services, Inc. (PCSI), in business since 1996, is a threeman operation that offers a full array of services related to individual workstations (PCs) for both home and business.

This includes anything from configuring the hardware to meet a customer’s needs, to purchasing a unit for a customer, installing Windows®, applying all Windows® updates, installing all other required applications software, installing all required hardware, and setting up the complete system for the end user.

PCSI can also install all hardware and software required for accessing the Internet and for sending and receiving email messages.

For systems experiencing problems, PCSI can diagnose the unit’s performance issues and take corrective action to eliminate the problems, which could include anything from replacing defective hardware to correcting software-related problems due to virus or spyware infections.

The company offers a complete suite of services for server class machines. This includes, but isn’t limited to, developing initial hardware specifications to meet the customer’s business needs, purchasing the server for a customer, installing and configuration of the Windows Server® operating system, applying all Windows® software updates, configuring the users accounts and security for accessing the server, installing all other required software, and installing all required external hardware, as well as setting up the complete system for use by the end users.

John W. Rudasill, president of PCSI, says the people in Cherryville and Gaston County

and the surrounding area are “wonderful to work with” and sincerely appreciate what you do for them.

As for “game-changing innovations”, Rudasill says the innovation they rely on is not really very new nor very innovative.

“We follow the old school way of doing business in that we treat all people with respect and cordiality, whether that be an individual with a personal computer problem or a corporate executive with a large server or communications network that is inoperable,” he say, adding, “We never intimidate the client or make them feel inadequate by using a lot of computer jargon or buzz words.”

Formed in 1996 (by a group who collectively has over 75 years of experience in the fields of information technology and transportation), the founders all started their careers with Carolina Freight Corporation.

The corporate offices, located at 400 East Main Street in Cherryville, houses a state of the art mainframe computer system, a digital imaging system, various microcomputer based information servers and associated data communications equipment.

A complete list of services offered is listed below: • System Integration – PCSI can provide the expertise to integrate new technologies into legacy systems or into new systems being developed.

• Consultation – PCSI offers a full array of diagnostic consulting services. These services include documentation of workflow, systems, procedures, and applications with suggested methods for improvement being the end result. Communications issues, needs assessment and training can also be addressed, as well as disaster recovery.

These services can be tailored to meet a customer’s specific needs.

• Systems Design – PCSI offers systems design services that address procedural as well as information technology systems issues.

• Applications Development Phoenix Corporate Services, Inc. offers applications development on any number of platforms.

• Network Design – The company provides complete design services of your distributed communications network. This involves all aspects of the customer’s wide area or local area networks including determining the technology to be used to provide an optimum method of communication.

• Project Management – PCSI offers total project management services. These services include overseeing and directing all aspects of any project from the initial inception through full implementation and deployment.

• E-Business Support Services – The company can provide the expertise required to meet the customer’s needs in all of these new expanding areas.

Phoenix Corporate Services, Inc., provides services to many entities including city government, law enforcement, higher education, construction industries, credit union and financial services, and elder care facilities, and others.

Wise Electric – Mister Sparky Wise Electric Control Inc. – Mister Sparky, in Cherryville, has been in business since 1988.

See GROW on Page 11

R-Anell

Continued from Page 6 “By its nature, modular construction is innovative and R-Anell’s building processes already lean toward green construction by creating less construction waste,” he says. “We do this by using lumber that is precut and our material orders are precise.” Jones also notes R-Anell homes are “...sealed much tighter and have less energy loss than traditional site-built methods.”

“Our homes and buildings are computer engineered using the latest technology to meet or exceed national, state, and local building codes. The result is that the customer gets exceptional quality and performance while recognizing significant savings in time and cost.”

R-Anell Multi-Family and Commercial Division, or “MFC”, also contributes to the company’s ability to weather the recent stormy economy. One area of construction and development that hasn’t seen as significant a downturn as residential construction is that of multi-family and commercial construction.

“Our MFC division works with developers across the Southeast, bringing the projects they imagine to life through the building expertise of the company’s design, engineering and manufacturing teams,” he says. “Developers that work with R-Anell know their project is going to be produced in a state of the art man-

(photos submitted by R-Anell Housing Group)

The finished product! Another fine R-Anell home ready to be moved into and enjoyed. ufacturing facility and they know what they are going to get and when they are going to get it.”

That’s good news when it comes to today’s housing needs in this economy.

“We provide a viable alternative in the development of any apartment, town home, condominium or professional building project,” Jones says.

It is for all of these reasons, Jones continues, that R-Anell’s business and innovative building methods, as he puts it, “...poise the company to continue successful operations as the housing and construction markets continue to rebound.”

For more information on R-Anell Housing Group, and their award-winning designs and work, Jones says to visit their company web site at www.r-anell.com, or simply call (704) 445-9610.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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Progress

Energy Supply For this new green energy company the wind is always at its back and the sky is the limit.

It supplies the products that supply the power.

By EMILY WEAVER Emily.kmherald@gmail.com

SHELBY – The land is surely green on a hilltop on Caleb Road. Horses munch on its fresh green grass and just across the land’s asphalt two-lane divider sits American Safety Utility Corporation.

It was green nearly 30 years ago when Buddy Price and a partner started up the company before moving here. And now it’s green again as Buddy’s son Adam Price and his business partner Michael Lane start up a new company of their own – a “green” company riding on the winds of green energy.

The two started Wind Energy Supply in January. It’s the first company in the United States to handle everything from “erection to connection” in the wind energy market.

And the force they’ve captured in their sails is sure to take them places. The sky is the limit.

The wind energy market is growing.

In his 2011 State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama pledged to have 80 percent of the country’s electricity come from clean energy sources by 2035. Twenty percent of the power on the nation’s electricity grid is supposed to be generated from wind energy by 2030, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). By 2035, industry forecasters are hoping for 35 percent.

Current projects, either under permit or under construction, show an investment of $10.6 billion, according to a recent AWEA report.

“It’s taking off,” said Adam Price, president of Wind Energy Supply. “If we can just get a small piece of that pie we’ll be happy.”

Windmills are dotting the country’s landscape and its shorelines. Dozens of maps show more dots to come.

“They’re looking to put some (wind turbine units) off-shore of North Carolina and Savannah, Ga. We may see them up and down the east coast,” Price said.

Industry leaders are in the early stages of planning for a large wind farm in Elizabeth City, NC. Clemson University, infused with

Grow

Continued from Page 10

Since that time, company owner and president Rusty Wise says they have performed all types of electrical work including residential, commercial, and industrial.

“Over the years we have become specialists in outdoor lighting, generators, and electrical safety,” Wise says. “The past few years we have focused on electrical service and repair.

In doing so, we now have a Service and Repair Division called ‘Mister Sparky’. Mister Sparky is now the largest elec-

a $45 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, is building the world’s largest wind turbine testing facility in Charleston.

Wind energy “should be growing at a pretty good pace here in the next few years,” Price said. “We wanted to get on board early.

Wind energy has been big in Europe for quite a few years. Now it’s really just getting some roots in the U.S.” National leaders are looking to renewable clean energy (wind, solar, hydropower, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and more)

resources both offshore and on land. Currently, the nation has more than 35,000 megawatts of land-based installed wind power capacity. That’s enough to serve more than 9 million homes and avoid the annual emissions of 62 million tons of carbon dioxide,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Wind Energy was founded in 2010 to provide quality supplies and products for transportation, erection, protection, maintenance and connection for wind energy.

“We supply everything needed to build

EMILY WEAVER photo

Wind Energy Supply Inc. President Andy Price, left, and Vice President Michael Lane stand next to a display of their business model. to strengthen the economy, protect the environment and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.

The nation leads the world in wind energy capacity.

“The United States has tremendous wind

trical service company in the country and we are excited to be a part of it.”

Wise says they abide by strict standards that most electricians cannot even come close to. Some of the standards include the on-time guarantee or the repair is free; background- and drug-tested electricians. “If our electricians show up late, use profanity, fail to use floor savers, or even smoke on your property then you get it free,” Wise notes.

“Most electrical companies cannot and will not give you this type of guarantee.” Their rigorous vetting process ensures only the best come to your home or business.

“We feel customers should

not have to settle for secondbest service these days. Unfortunately, some people find later that they have been given poor service when things start to fail down the road,” Wise says.

New technologies, such as Arc Fault breakers, have really increased the safety in homes and every home should have these. Wise says their electrical code is written by the National Fire Protection Agency, so Wise Electric’s and Mister Sparky’s primary goal is to make sure your home or business is safe.

In light of the April storms that moved through the state, Wise says a “Power Outage 101 primer” might help folks out when the lights go out.

the big wind turbines and everything needed for the maintenance, the safety and hooking everything up to the power grid in the United States,” Price said. “We’re the first company in the United States that’s building everything from A to Z.”

“This time of year power outages are something thousands are having to deal with.

They can make life difficult, even miserable, for hours or days at a time.”

There are, however, measures one can take as a homeowner to make the experience a mere inconvenience instead of a life-altering event. As electricians, your power is their specialty, he says, so here’s some advice: • Use only a flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use candles!

• Keep fresh batteries in a battery-operated radio.

• Turn off any electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.

The company’s portfolio includes products such as airbags, blade lifting devices and turbine lifting devices for transportation and erection; high-voltage protection, rapid descent devices and rescue equipment for workers’ safety; chemicals, insulated tools and torque wrenches for maintaining the units; and cables, voltage meters and insulated hotsticks for connection.

Wind Energy Supply is focused on the workers in the field and is committed to being the one-stop shop for supplies and products in the wind energy market, according to the company. It isn’t a far stretch from the goal of American Safety Utility Corporation, now in its 29th year of business.

American Safety Utility Corp., headquartered in the same office building as Wind Energy, supplies customers with all of the essential support materials for electric companies and linemen on the job.

They supply materials needed to build power lines, materials to make electrical connections, the tools workers use and equipment to keep them safe while on the job.

“That’s how we got into wind energy because we’re already in the power market and this is producing electricity as well,” Price said, pointing at a photograph of a windmill.

His father, Buddy Price, has been working in the electric industry almost 50 years.

In July 1982, he started American Safety with a business partner in Forest City. After two years, they moved to Shelby.

“We’ve been growing ever since,” Price said.

The company now employs 40 people and operates in a 40,000-square-foot facility at 529 Caleb Rd. Its customers include the City of Kings Mountain, Rutherford Electric Membership Corp. and Duke Power. Each month, the company sells in all 50 states.

On May 22-25, Wind Energy Supply will attend its first large industry trade show in Anaheim, Calif. Recognized as one of the fastest growing tradeshows in the U.S., the AWEA’s Wind Power Expo is set to host 27,000 people and 1,500 vendors.

• Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer.

• Listen to local radio for updated information.

• Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when power is restored.

• Do not run a generator inside your home or garage.

• Think Ahead and Have On Hand: Flashlight(s)–due to risk of fire, don’t use candles during a power outage; portable radio; batteries for flashlights and radio; at least one gallon of water per person; a small supply of food that doesn’t require refrigeration; and a standard power source, such as a generator.

Of course, if you regularly suffer from blackouts and

power outages, give them a call at Mister Sparky.

“We’re offering free safety inspections of your electrical system. Your electrical issues may, in fact, be a problem with your wiring or circuits,” he says. “If not, we can show you some very affordable generators that could ensure that you’re never without power, which is extremely important if you rely on medical equipment or refrigerated medicine.” To schedule an inspection call (704) 435-3060, (704) 3412270, or 1-888-8-SPARKY. Or you can visit them online at www.cherryville.mistersparky.com, or www.wiseelectriccontrol.com.

We hope you enjoyed reading about businesses in our area that are really changing the game in their industries. Read more about your community each week in The Banner News, Cherryville Eagle or Kings Mountain Herald. Call Kathy at 704-739-7496 to subscribe. Just $28 a year!

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Progress

Kings Mountain...

A message from the Mayor,

County Health Department designed 3 walking routes within the City.

With our Council, staff and citizens’ sup- * Award from the North Carolina Health & Wellness Trust Fund – Fit Community Designation port, Kings Mountain has continued to take progressive strides and we are proud of the * Received a Corridor Design Grant for a new trail - 11.2 mile Carolina Thread Trail from Moss Lake to Gateway Trail many accomplishments. * Bike plan in process – grant received from NCDOT * Economic Development: * Cleveland Falls and Cleveland Ridge apartments completed Duke Energy training center; Solaris; Bay Valley Foods; Infocrossing, Inc.; Southern * New restaurants – Center Street Tavern and Battleground Steakhouse Company; Qualtech; Chemetall Foote Rick Murphrey * New contract signed to provide all water requirements for Corp. expansion; Patrick Yarn Mills Mayor Bessemer City. This will be our largest water customer expansion; Evonik expansion. Our city * Installed 5225 foot, 16” water main on South Battleground website, www.cityofkm.com, lists Avenue. Provided 12 homes with safe and reliable source of industrial building inventory and maps; Shop Q&A – small water. business link. * Two phases completed on the new waterline into town – * Established industrial and downtown City job creation grants continuing to prepare environmental report and make * Dept. of Commerce designated the city of Kings Mountain to adjustments to “water model”. be a “Main Street Community” * Installed two (2) additional severe storm warning systems for a * City received 7 awards from Electricities – Customer Service, EDC total of three (3) – downtown, #2 Firestation and YMCA. * All City entrance signs – painted and new lighting * Initiated single stream recycling * Peak Generation – City saved $1,000,000. (One million) per * Margrace Mill and West End community awarded National year by operating our generation plants during Duke’s peak.

Registers Historic District * New Mutual Aid and Emergency Assistance Agreement * Grant from NC Division for Health worked with Cleveland between the City and Duke Energy * All light poles, flag poles, traffic signals and both downtown bridges painted * Partnered with Patrick Yarns in providing the first large size solar project in our community – new renewable energy rate established * Agreement with Duke Energy for the City to provide electricity to booster pump facility saving $24,000. (24k) per year * Upgraded SCADA systems – monitors all electric systems * Upgraded Police Dispatch Center which enhances geographical information systems * Crime rate lowest in 17 years * Our K9 Kasey was used 133 times, 83 arrests and 49 narcotic seizures The City consistently works to improve the quality of life in our community by supporting the Historical Museum, the Southern Arts Society, YMCA, the Joy Performance Center, Keep Kings Mountain Beautiful and the award winning Patrick Senior Center.

There is an array of special events and opportunities for passive recreation at the Children’s Playground, area parks and walking tracks.

In City government, like any other successful business, you must have a strong team of visionaries working closely together to build a better future.

Thank you to the citizens of Kings Mountain,

Mayor Rick Murphrey

Howard Shipp Ward 1

Mike Butler Ward 2

Tommy Hawkins Ward 3

Rodney Gordon Ward 4

Rick Moore Ward 5

Houston Corn At Large

Dean Spears At Large

Marilyn Sellers City Manager

Gateway to Cleveland County