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South Carolina Chamber names 2002 Manufacturers of the Year

Submitted by: John Warner on Oct 19, 2002 at 5:00 am Tagged with: General Archives Source:

South Carolina Chamber names 2002 Manufacturers of the Year
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Four South Carolina companies were recognized as manufacturers
of the year by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce during the 2002
Manufacturers Appreciation Night September 26 in Columbia. The annual dinner
was co-sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers. Arthur D. (Don)
Wainwright, chairman and chief executive officer of Wainwright Industries Inc.
in St. Louis and chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers, was the
keynote speaker.
The awards are the top manufacturing awards given in South Carolina. In their
seventh year, the manufacturer of the year awards are given in categories based
on size of operations in South Carolina. The 2002 recipients are:
In the large employer category, Robert Bosch Corp. in Anderson;
In the medium-sized employer category, BorgWarner in Seneca;
In small employer with headquarters in South Carolina category, Lang-Mekra
North America, LLC, in Ridgeway; and
In the small employer with headquarters outside South Carolina category, DAA
Draexlmaier Automotive of America, LLC, in Duncan.
The Robert Bosch Corp plant in Anderson began operating in 1985. A maker of
fuel systems, sensors and ECUs, Bosch Anderson's overriding philosophy is
''BEQIK, Be Better, Be Bosch.'' The motto is applied to every aspect of the
organization, including the quality of the products, the engagement of
associates and customer satisfaction.
Each associate at Bosch Anderson strives to be innovative and proactive, which
results in continued customer satisfaction. Bosch Anderson's commitment to
quality is reinforced through its quality policy that states, ''Customer
improvement in the quality of our products to satisfy all customers and uphold
the Bosch tradition of excellence.''
Bosch Anderson's commitment to associates begins with the guiding principle
that everyone benefits when associates are engaged. Associates are empowered to
make changes and take control of their business. Bosch Anderson's ISO 14001
certification is indicative of their commitment to the local and global
community.
Bosch Anderson has implemented an environmental management system that informs
every associate of the importance of environmental awareness and their
individual impact on the environment.
BorgWarner's Seneca plant started production in 1997 supplying four-wheel drive
systems for the M-class Mercedes. In just five years, its customers include
Acura, General Motors, Hyundai and Isuzu. BorgWarner effectively dealt with
all the ''news'' — new location; new customers, new division, new associates, new
processes and new suppliers — while building a world-class facility recognized
by both domestic and international customers. In fact, BorgWarner is one of
only two non-Japanese suppliers to receive the Honda Research and Development
Excellent Supplier Award in 2002.
BorgWarner measures the successes of its safety program ''by each individual's
ability to leave the plant the same way as when they entered.'' Weekly ''safety
walks'' are conducted to identify potential safety hazards and to underscore the
importance of safety at the facility.
In response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, BorgWarner showed its
support for America at the entrance to its facility with one of the largest
flags in Oconee County.
The selection committee specifically noted BorgWarner's quality improvement
efforts over the past year. ''Their part reject decrease of PPM (parts per
million) from 4505 in 1997 to a PPM of 66 in 2002 is most impressive,''
according to the committee. ''Their ability to achieve a 615 percent increase in
component volume production with only an increase of 167 percent in labor hours
is laudable.''
Lang-Merka, a Ridgeway manufacturer of rear-view mirror systems, serves some of
the largest manufacturers in the heavy truck, fire apparatus, agriculture and
construction markets. The company demonstrates its sustained excellence in
manufacturing by being a repeat winner of the Manufacturer of The Year award.
Lang-Merka won in 1999. According to the selection committee, they were
selected a second time in recognition of its continued success.
In 1994, Lang-Mekra opened a facility with 15,000 square-feet of plant space
and 40 employees to support one major customer. Today its plant has grown to
169,000 square feet with 160 employees. It is an approved supplier to
Freightliner, International Truck, Volvo, Paccar, Caterpillar and Ford.
Lang-Mekra is devoted to achieving and exceeding industry standards for
productivity and quality. It was the first manufacturer in South Carolina to be
certified both IS0 14001 and ISO 16949.
Lang-Mekra's newest project has nothing to do with manufacturing and everything
to do with the community. The company is establishing a Montessori School for
both employees and residents of Fairfield County as part of next facility
expansion.
The selection committee said, after reviewing their community involvement,
''There is virtually no part of the immediate community that Lang-Mekra does not
support in some way.'' Put simply; the motto, ''We Take the Ideal and Make it
Real'' sums up the vision of Lang-Mekra.
At the DAA Draexlmaier Automotive of America plant in Duncan, 22 nationalities
represent the different faces of the 253 associates who make automotive
interior trim. The German company located in the Upstate six years ago with a
commitment to the success, enhancement, a satisfaction of employee's lives.
Draexlmaier's pro-active approach to improving and sustaining a healthy
environment was recognized in its award winning recycling program, partnerships
with regulatory agencies, IO 14001 certification and environmental awards. The
plant was approved for membership in the South Carolina Environmental
Excellence Program in May 2002. It also received the Best Industry Recycling
Program Award for 2001 and received honorable mention in the 2002 Governors
Pollution Prevention Award.
Draexlmaier encourages associates to participate in community organizations by
offering time off and paying yearly membership dues. ''We recognize the value
these organizations bestow on employees' careers and the value of new ideas,
processes and approaches that associates bring back to our business to share
with others,'' the Draexlmaier application said.
Other finalists were:
Holland USA-Denmark Facility in Denmark, a manufacturer of fifth wheels and
hitches
CP&L's Robinson Nuclear Plant in Hartsville, a generator of electricity
SMI Steel-South Carolina in Cayce, a maker of steel bars and shapes for the
construction industry
Bridgestone/Firestone South Carolina in Graniteville, a manufacturer of
passenger and light truck tires
BMW Manufacturing Corp. in Greer, an automobile manufacturer
The manufacturers of the year award winners are chosen based on quality
improvement of products, environmental stewardship, quality of life for
employees, community and professional involvement and community partnerships.
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the state's largest statewide
broad-based business and industry trade association representing more than
2,300 members. It works actively to maintain the state's positive business
climate while working to enhance the quality of life for all South Carolinians.
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