HLW International
It’s an exciting time to be in workplace design and architecture: technology is rapidly advancing, and multi-generational clients are pushing the ideas of the traditional workplace. HLW International is working at the forefront of this dynamic shift. In May of 2019, Construction in Focus sat down with Managing Partner John Gering, catching up on the firm’s latest projects and to discuss how technology is changing the industry.
Star Cartage
Star Cartage is a transport, supply chain, and logistics company, hailing from Toledo, Ohio. Customer care and attention to detail are vital, but its true strength lies in its ability to know what the client needs before they do. We spoke with its Chief Executive Officer Dennis Rutherford and Chief Operating Officer Joe Collins.
Eco Flaps
I had no idea going into this interview with CFO Darron Ming and National Accounts Sales Representative Asa Hazelwood that mudflaps were so relevant to safety on our highways. Eco Flaps, based in Brentwood, Tennessee, is on a mission to save lives and make Class A vehicles on the road more environmentally sound and cost-efficient for drivers and trucking companies.
Perryville and Perry County EDA
Business in Focus had the pleasure of speaking once again to the Perry County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Executive Director Scott Sattler as we caught up on the latest initiatives in this vibrant area of Missouri. Part of the area’s success is that the EDA collaborates well to continue to support the businesses and attractions in the community and make this a destination for tourism.
Wikus Saw Technology
Many industries rely on band saw blades to cut wood and metal in order to manufacture various products, and WIKUS-Sägenfabrik, Wilhelm H. Kullmann GmbH & Co. KG, with its headquarters in Spangenberg Germany, has been producing top-of-the-line band saws for over sixty years. Wikus is a recognized leader in the area and the largest band saw blade manufacturer in Europe. We spoke with the U.S. organization Chief Executive Officer, Georgi Jossifov, to get the full story
ABOX Packaging
ABOX Packaging hails from the state of Texas and has developed a niche in specialty packaging and design, making close to five million boxes a month. “We are custom manufacturers of high-end packaging,” says President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Thompson. Keith has been working in this industry for close to fifty-five years and brings a rare knowledge and understanding to the company.
Leger & Son
Although Leger & Son, Inc. was established in 2001 and is a relatively small outfit with one home office and fifteen employees, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality service and product. Founder and Treasurer C.M. ‘Buddy’ Leger has kept this business within the family since its inception.
City of Greeley, CO
Greeley, Colorado was named after New-York Tribune editor Horace Greeley, following his visit during the Gold Rush. Horace had popularized the well-known slogan, ‘Go West, young man, and grow up with the country.’ While he may have returned to New York, others came, stayed, and they continue to come here to this day.
Mathews Company
Back in June of 2015, I had the pleasure of speaking with Joseph Shulfer, President of Mathews Company, a grain dryer specialist that has helped farmers by making their lives easier. We touched on challenges that include global economics and the price of corn. When last we spoke there was an issue surrounding Section 179 capital equipment depreciation. But Joseph was unable to gauge its effects as there were other issues within the industry that were more dominant. We caught up with him again to find out about the company’s progress.
Freightsaver
Huntington Beach, California is where you will find the head offices of Freightsaver. The company acts as a freight brokerage, the middleman between the shipper and carrier. Therefore, it owns no equipment to move shipments but instead manages the logistics behind that goal, going that extra mile and doing things that larger entities avoid. Cloud-based technology has greatly added to its abilities, and despite multiple challenges, Freightsaver is growing. We spoke to its Executive Vice President of Sales Jay Hughitt.
Morrow County, OH
One year ago, Business in Focus was proud to feature Morrow County, looking into the history and many unique aspects of this county in central Ohio. Morrow County is just north of Delaware County, which is the fastest-growing area in the state, and Morrow is seeing ongoing growth as a result of its lower land prices and proximity to its rapidly-growing neighbor. We followed up on the happenings inside Morrow County with County Commissioner Tom Whiston.
Intrepid USA
The healthcare landscape is rapidly changing to accommodate everyone’s needs. Home healthcare and hospice care has evolved to the point that a long trip to the hospital can be avoided to a certain extent. Intrepid USA is on the cutting edge of health care delivered to your home, no matter where it is. We spoke with Chief Executive Officer John M. Kunysz.
Pacific Ethanol
This is a truly exciting and ground-breaking time to be involved in the ethanol industry due to the continued support from the federal government’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the low carbon profile of ethanol, the relative cost of ethanol to gasoline, and the high octane rating of the fuel. Companies such as Pacific Ethanol are on the cusp of a new era. Environmental standards are taken into consideration more and more these days, and ethanol is at the forefront of these efforts.
City of Costa Mesa, California
The City of Costa Mesa in Orange County California is teeming with success stories, from the return and growth of the shoe manufacturer Vans to its own Taco Maria being awarded LA Times Restaurant of the Year. The City is home to creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit – including but not limited to a strong action sports enclave that brings surf and skate aficionados from all over the world to the five world headquarters that call Costa Mesa home.
B.I Foods
Back in November of 2017, I had the privilege of speaking with Beef International President Kevin Ingraldi and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tom McMillen III about its customized meat products that cater to various interests in the restaurant world. At the time, the specialty meat company was undergoing a five-year reconstruction plan and...
CLIMAX Portable Machining and Welding Systems
In May of 2016, Business in Focus wrote about CLIMAX Portable and Machining Welding Systems. At the time, it was celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. There has since been a lot of progress, and once again, we had the pleasure of speaking with the Corporate Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dave Baker and President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Cunningham.
City of Port Colborne, ON
Port Colborne, a Francophone designated city, is ideally located in the Niagara Region which has close to 425,000 people. It is near major urban centres such as Hamilton and the GTA, while only being thirty minutes from Western New York and the Buffalo region. GO Transit trains are on the horizon which increases its accessibility even further. We at Business in Focus caught up with the Mayor of Port Colborne, John Maloney, to find out about the impressive amount of progress the city has undergone over the last four years since we last spoke.
GP Transco
GP Transco, from Darien, Illinois, is one of the fastest growing trucking companies in the country. It has a fleet of 350 trucks and over 500 trailers, serving the U.S. and Canada. For GP Transco, the driver is the customer and receives the highest respect. This company is growing rapidly and is continuously hiring new drivers. We spoke with Chief Executive Officer Dominic Zastarskis and Director of Marketing Sergey Bort.
incredibles
In April of 2014, Business in Focus wrote about the marijuana dispensary, incredibles. This socially conscious entity started with the goal to make medical marijuana its primary market but has branched out into recreational use as well. We caught up with Founder and President Bob Eschino. ~ When we last spoke, incredibles was the largest...
Town of Taber, AB
Taber is an interesting place for many reasons, not the least of which is that it collects more sunlight than almost anywhere else in Canada. This spot in Southern Alberta is also known as the Corn Capital of Canada, having one of the largest corn festivals in the country.
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Cushing Terrell
There is a quote attributed to Wayne Gretzky that you have likely seen in PowerPoint presentations. It is the one about skating to where the puck is going, rather than where it is. In hockey, Gretzky seemed to have a preternatural ability to anticipate the best place to be. In business, Cushing Terrell has that same knack.
Animal Arts Design Studios
When thinking about architecture and building design, we know much time and thought goes into creating sound, healthy, and attractive structures for people, but what about housing for our animal friends? Animal Arts Design Studios specializes exclusively in animal care design, including animal shelters and veterinary hospitals, with a proven track record of success with more than 1,500 projects in 40 U.S. states, Canada, and overseas, ranging in size from 600 to 110,000 square feet.
A-LINX Building Technologies
A-LINX Building Technologies, headquartered in Ontario, offers comprehensive contracting services specializing in the prefabrication of roof trusses and both exterior and interior load-bearing wall systems. Through its innovative approach, A-LINX enables clients to achieve faster and more cost-effective completion of superstructures compared to traditional construction methods.
STI Technologies Limited
For over 20 years, STI Technologies Limited has made a positive difference in the lives of Canadians. By leveraging reimbursement funding, STI constantly improves access to medications through technology and analytics.
Collicutt Energy
One of the top producers of customized power generation machinery, Collicutt Energy Services Corp. provides high-efficiency prime power CHP systems to standby power units, and engineers, designs, and produces complete power solutions. To ensure power solutions are the best in their class, the company’s technical and manufacturing teams continually strive to improve the quality of products and services while fostering strategic alliances that guarantee strong, capable and reliable results.
Managing Sustainable Supply Chains
Once, supply chain management was primarily about logistics—delivering raw materials to manufacturers and processers and finished products to retailers, and doing it on time and cost-effectively. While those are still critical factors, industries around the world from manufacturing and construction to hospitality and retail now face pressure from governments, shareholders, and consumers to ensure end products support environmental and societal values and are as sustainable as possible.
