from Greater Wilmington

Greater Wilming ton Business Journal wilmingtonbiz.com September 18 - October 1, 2020 Page 23 2020 WINNERS m a n u f a c t u r e r s EXPORTERS F OOD /beverage functional product ARTS supporter BUSINESS

Spotlighting this year’s MADE Awards

The Greater Wilmington Business Journal is publishing the winners of the fifth annual MADE Awards competition again in this issue because the coronavirus pandemic’s spread to the U.S. in March postponed the WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo, which would have included this year’s Nunn MADE Awards winners.

But there is some good news.

Several of this year’s MADE winners will participate in the upcoming virtual WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo. They will be featured during one of the conference’s Roundtables talks that takes place 12:30-1:30 p.m. Oct. 1. For the Roundtables schedule, turn to pages 14 and 15.

Those chosen by the judges this year covered a wide range of products being conceived and produced in the local market.

The Greater Wilmington Business Journal launched the MADE Awards to spotlight makers, manufacturers, artisans, designers, small businesses and the business that support them in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.

Nominations poured in from businesses vying in five categories: Manufacturers, Exporters, Functional Product (examples include tools, gadgets, beauty products, furniture and industrial/medical devices), Arts (such as apparel, accessories, textiles, home goods and stationery), Food & Beverage and Supporter (examples include patent law firms, manufacturing associations, SBA lenders and retail markets that carry primarily local products).

Outside of the annual awards, the Business Journal wants to continue to spotlight the MADE focus year-round. Each month in the print edition we’ll feature a company making goods and products in the Cape Fear region. To be considered for the feature, email newsroom@wilmingtonbiz.com. Congratulations to this year’s winners. - Cece Nunn, assistant editor cnunn@wilmingtonbiz.com bluesharkvodka.com Year founded: 2019 Number of employees: 5 Top official: Mark Bloomquist, founder Company description: A family-owned and operated vodka company based out of Wrightsville Beach Target market: “Adults (21+) with an affinity for an exceptionally smooth tasting spirit.” Company growth: “After launching last summer, we expanded across the great state of North Carolina. Our family is continuing our focus on the dilemma of blue sharks. Blues are among the most docile of all shark species, so we are working on ways to preserve this misunderstood member of the shark family.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “Each year our family travels around the world. Our idea for Blue Shark Vodka grew from our fascination with spirits, especially those with unique packaging and exceptional quality. Most importantly, we sought to create a clear spirit like the waters we love to dive – with a smooth, clean taste.” What are your future goals for the product? “We will organically grow our customer base and dive deeper; expanding strategically.”

lyssacakes.com Year founded: 2019 Number of employees: 3 Top official: Alyssa Grace, owner and manager Company description: Cakes, cupcakes and custom cake art bakery Target market: “Anyone who likes sweets and anyone needing dessert for an event” Company growth: “We’re still fairly new, but business is growing steadily.” How has your product helped impact the region’s economic development? “We're still fairly new, but we look forward to increasing our workforce and bringing more business to this area of Mayfaire [Town Center, where the shop is located].” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “My parents owned a bakery and ice cream shop while I was growing up, so I’ve been baking as long as I can remember. I became interested in custom cake art by watching shows like Ace of Cakes with Duff Goldman. It’s unique and not something that everyone can do.” What are your future goals for the product? “To increase business and be able to add additional cake artists. I’m also starting to add cake and cupcake decorating classes so I can share my passion with everyone.” For more information about the MADE winners and their companies, go to

MADE Great Goods from Greater Wilmington

FOOD & BEVERAGE

BLUE SHARK VODKA

LYSSA CAKES

WilmingtonBiz.com.

SWEETS AND SPIRITS BAKERY sweetsandspirits. com Year founded: 2017 Number of employees: 3 Top official: Melanie Smith, owner/baker Company description: “Making memories with food to help our customers achieve a healthier lifestyle by providing ketogenic, gluten-free and sugar-free options” Target market: “We have identified health conscious, obesity, low carbohydrate, ketogenic, celiac disease, gluten sensitive, autoimmune issues and diabetics as our target audience.” How has your product helped impact the region’s economic development? “We have been able to provide our product to several local small businesses and restaurants. We continue to seek more businesses in our region.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “I began keto two years ago and quickly realized that I could use food to help others achieve a healthier lifestyle.” What are your future goals for the product? “We hope to expand our shipping and as always we are working on new exciting products. Recently we launched our Noatmeal and Keto gluten-free sugar-free granola.”

MANUFACTURER

AMERICAN HAMMER G-CODE HOLSTERS SOUTH ATLANTIC SERVICES INC.

americanhammer.com Year founded: 1952 Number of employees: 10 Top official: Ted Leitter, president/CEO Company description: The largest U.S. manufacturer of hand-held industrial hammers Target market: Automotive, aerospace, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, military, municipal, MRO US steel, nuclear power, oil and gas and the plastic industry in general Company growth: “We’ve grown from a small niche company of just a few hammer lines to the largest OEM 100% made in America industrial hammer manufacturing company with over 650 hammer lines for every metalworking, nonsparking and nonmarring applications. We now satisfy the needs of every major and minor national and international producers of all things metal and gas. We currently have three U.S. patents for our unique safety inspired handle designs with more ideas in the works.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “Ingenuity. At 19 years old, I talked my way in to be an employee at a very small hammer company and while there, I couldn’t help myself in thinking up better and more efficient ways of production and in turn the overall designs of our product. At 21, I purchased the company and continued with my obsession of achieving ‘the very best,’ which gave birth to really innovative designs in safety …” tacticalholsters.com Year founded: 1997 Number of employees: 60+ Top official: Scott Evans, CEO Company description: Builds holsters, accessories and tactical gear; products are 100% USA made with U.S.- sourced materials Target market: Military, law enforcement, civilian, concealed carry and sportsman shooters Company growth: Edge-Works (G-CODE) began at home; “We quickly outgrew the garage and expanded into a large trailer. From there we moved into a pole barn, then in 2013 to our first real commercial space totaling 12,000 square feet. Today, the company occupies a 60,000-square-foot facility in Burgaw. How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “While serving in the Marine Corps I often modified and improved my gear. This became a hobby and a passion and after leaving active duty I continued supplying my friends and various Marines at nearby Camp Lejeune. The hobby eventually became a business.” What are your future goals for the product? “G-CODE is a solution company. Our purpose has always been to solve problems for our customers. We do this with design and innovation and although our efforts manifest in many great products we never sit back and feel like ‘we have arrived.’ Likewise, execution in our workmanship is parasouthatlanticservices.com Year founded: 1971 Number of employees: 62 local employees, with about 276 between Wilmington and locations in Houston Top official: Frank Hamilton III, president/owner Company description: A Wilmington-headquartered contract manufacturing and packaging company. In addition to its Wilmington location, SAS has three facilities in the Houston area. Target market: Major oil companies, big-box retailers, automotive aftermarket retail chains, OEMs (new car manufacturers) Products made locally: Automotive and industrial coolants, diesel exhaust fluids, automotive lubricants and agricultural chemicals Company growth: “We have gained new customers, expanded geographically and grown from a small employer to over 275 employees.” Product distribution: The company ships finished goods throughout the United States and internationally to South America, Europe, Mexico and other parts of Central America. How has your product helped impact the region’s economic development? “The continued demand for our product has allowed us to offer stable employment opportunity for the region.”

MADE Great Goods from Greater Wilmington

FUNCTIONAL PRODUCTS

GRUNT TOUGH

INC. GruntTough.com Year founded: 2019 Number of employees: 4 Top official: Brandon Noel, president/CEO Company description: A software and manufacturing company that is a VA-certified, service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) Target market: 5G and satellite installation and equipment providers Company growth: Grunt Tough initially took on 5G small cell site acquisition and installation here in Cape Fear area but quickly grew to also managing the project in the coastal areas from North Carolina down to Florida, all of southern Texas and parts of the Midwest How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “Need drives innovation. 5G is brand new, so when trying to mount the small cell site equipment the best options available came from the satellite industry. However, it did not always work. Grunt Tough was challenged by one of the companies leading the installation efforts on behalf of the 5G Spectrum holders to come up with a better solution, and we delivered!” What are your future goals for the product? “Grunt Tough is expanding beyond just the nonpenetrating roof mounts and has plans to branch into manufacturing of mounting systems for 5G in many other capacities such as light/telephone poles, vehicular and even rapid deployment systems for wireless internet in remote areas.” mount in its importance to us and to our customers.” GUITAR CABINETS

guitarcabinets direct.com Year founded: 2011 Number of employees: 12 Top official: KC Barnard Company description: Manufacturer of vintage reproduction guitar amplifier cabinets and custom furniture Target market: Musicians, designers and homeowners Company growth: The company originally provided guitar cabinets to one customer and now sells cabinets to consumers and trade accounts all over the world. How has your product helped impact the region’s economic development? “We hire people within the local community and much of the materials we use are provided by local vendors.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “We reproduce vintage guitar amplifier cabinets from the early 50s to the late 60s.” What are your future goals for the product? “Continue to develop our web presence and consumer markets through a strong brand identity.” SQUEAK

DIRECT

getsqueakywithus.com Year founded: 2018 Number of employees: 5 Top official: Jayna Crittenden, founder Company description: Producer and distributor of safe, organic household cleaning products Target market: “Women 25-55” Company growth: “SQUEAK has grown organically through social media, ambassadors and customers that recommend SQUEAK to their friends, families and networks. We have grown from a local pickup here in Wilmington company to a wholesaler for retailers, subscription box companies and Amazon.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “We are a little early to claim any significant economic impact in this region, but our impact goes deeper than money. Our mission is to help people understand why using less synthetics chemicals in their homes and spaces can significantly improve their health and the health of their families.” What are your future goals for the product? “My goal and dream for SQUEAK is to be recognized and relied on for bringing light to a shady, somewhat unregulated industry. All people deserve to know that the cleaning products they use inside of their homes and spaces could be laden with synthetic ingredients that have been linked to diseases like but not limited to asthma, chronic headaches, lung disease, infertility and even cancer.”

EXPORTER

CYGNUS TECHNOLOGIES cygnustechnologies.com Year founded: 1997 Number of employees: 40 Top official: Christine Dolan, COO Company description: Develops and deliver products, analytics and technical expertise in bioprocess impurity detection to ensure drug safety Target market: Global biopharmaceutical, bioprocessing, cell and gene therapy Company growth: The company was founded by Ken Hoffman and joined by his brother Jim in the Boston area. They relocated the business to Southport in 2003 to a small lab facility. Since then, Cygnus has seen double-digit year-on-year growth and has added 40 scientific and professional jobs. “Cygnus technologies is a globally recognized name in the industry. Customers visit the area from Asia, India, Europe and across the U.S. Cygnus ships product globally five days a week. Cygnus’ growth has created over 40 professional and scientific jobs as well as internship opportunities for local students.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “Our background had been in clinical chemistry using ultra-sensitive technology to diagnose human disease. We believed that technology would best meet the needs of the biopharmaceutical industry and through publications, early product offerings and participation at scientific conferences with the FDA and other industry stakeholders we were able to convince the industry to apply our technologies.”

FLOW SCIENCES INC.

flowsciences.com Year founded: 1987 Number of employees: 69 Top official: Ray Ryan, president and CEO Company description: Produces glove boxes, fume hoods and solvent safety cabinets, powder hoods and HEPA fan-filter units Target market: Pharmaceutical and chemical industry research development and manufacturing Company growth: “We started out with testing services and are now a manufacturing company relied upon for equipment for the scale-up and manufacturing of HPAPI (high potency active pharmaceutical ingredients).” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “The NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) in Durham needed a new type of laboratory hood for the safe weigh

ing of hazardous chemicals. This resulted in a product known in the industry as a ‘vented enclosure’ or ‘powder hood’ utilizing engineering techniques and the science of air flow.” What are your future goals for the product? “To build more sophisticated products for the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and chemical industries. Advances in nanotechnology and medicines further the need for containment of potent compounds. Our clients wish us to continue the growth of our company to a wider portfolio of products and the number of countries served.”

MADE Great Goods from Greater Wilmington

ARTS

EBBING BRANDING + DESIGN ebbingbranding.com Year founded: 2017 Number of employees: 5 Top official: Matt Ebbing, founder and chief creative director Company description: Creative agency that “helps develop, evolve and grow great brands. The agency provides diverse strategy, graphic design, content, illustration and advertising services.” Company growth: Originally founded as a one-man creative studio, EBBING Branding + Design now operates as a boutique creative agency with five full-time team members. How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “After 15 years of working on diverse projects at advertising and design agencies in Colorado, Oregon, New Zealand and North Carolina, founder Matt Ebbing started this boutique creative agency to specialize in his strengths – developing or evolving brands that need to really connect with people.” GAMEGEARMASTER. COM

GameGearMaster.com Year founded: 2018 Number of employees: 1 Top official: Jakob Karlsmark, founder Company description: Creator of Terraino, a Lego-like tabletop terrain system users can build for pennies a piece Target market: The estimated 40 million tabletop roleplaying gamers worldwide Company growth: “GameGearMaster.com has had an impact nationwide and is also seeing users from around the world. Over the course of the past two years and nearly half-a-million site visits, thousands of people in 27 countries have built Terraino.” How did you originally come up with the concept for your product? “I looked at the 3D tabletop terrain products on the market and realized that they were very expensive. I set about finding an alternative that was pennies a piece, easier to make and made better use of your time investment.” SWAHILI COAST

swahilicoastdesign.com Year founded: 2015 Number of employees: 8 (in Wilmington), 26 (in Tanzania) Top officials: Caroline Fisher, creative director and co-founder, and Tony Peele, production director and co-founder Company description: Wilmington-based design house working in partnership with East African artisans to create handcrafted, ethically-made accessories Target market: “Consumers who care about how their products are made” Company growth: “We started out as a wholesale sandal company aimed at high-end coastal boutiques, which was successful but had limited growth potential. We expanded our line dramatically, moving into accessories and gift items that appeal to a wider range of customers and retailers. We've also opened two retail stores in downtown Wilmington.”

MADE Great Goods from Greater Wilmington

SUPPORTER

theARTWORKS

theartworks.co Year founded: 2013 Number of employees: 2 Top officials: Jim Knowles, managing director, and Betsy Knowles, CFO Company description: “An art epicenter, where there are working studios, a fine art gallery, a gift shop, event space, meeting rooms, classrooms and art classes.” The facility is 38,000 square feet with 7,200 square feet of gallery space. Target market: “We support the visual, the literary and the performing arts.” theArtWorks also rents space for corporate meetings, events or fundraisers or trade shows. Company growth: “We started out with an individual art studio. It was just a defined space in the middle of the floor with tape around it, and that was the studio … I started building studios to create an art village that emulated New Orleans back in the early 1900s. From that I added classrooms and event rooms and recently added a fine art gallery and a gift shop.” How has your organization helped impact the region’s economic development? “Economically, what we have done is provide opportunities for literally hundreds of people to get involved with the arts and for the arts to get involved with the community such that we create a substantial amount of revenue for our city, our county, our state without having to raise a tax rate."