Company News
July 19, 2021
Akrochem Acquires Bech Chem
Akrochem Acquires Bech Chem, Expands Into the Paint and Coatings Industry
Acquisition positions Akrochem for future growth while providing enhanced support levels for Bech Chem customers Press Release – updated: Jul 19, 2021 08:00 EDT 
AKRON, Ohio, July 19, 2021 (Newswire.com) – Akrochem, a leading provider of rubber chemicals and compounding materials, today announced the acquisition of Bech Chem, LLC, a company with more than 25 years of experience in the worldwide chemical supply chain. The transaction is effective immediately, and Akrochem will continue to operate under its current name.
The purchase of Bech Chem, based in Houston, Texas, enables Akrochem to expand into new industries, as well as provide more extensive support services for Bech Chem customers.
“The acquisition of Bech Chem allows us to bring our over 90 years of experience in chemical distribution to new markets, specifically paints, coatings, and lubricants,” said Akrochem President and CEO Jay Silver. “With our experienced, 15-person technical sales staff and over 120 personnel in support roles, we will improve our value to Bech Chem customers while positioning Akrochem for future growth.”
Bech Chem served a number of markets, including paint and coatings, grease and lubricants, plastics, and chemical processing. Bech Chem’s outstanding reputation within the specialty chemical distribution industry was based on the exceptional service the company provided throughout the ordering process, as well as its exemplary technical sales and support. The result was strong relationships with high-quality suppliers throughout the world.
“Becoming part of the Akrochem family allows us to introduce our unique specialty product line to a much larger customer base,” said Bech Chem President Henrik Bech Poulsen. “We believe that we’ll be a perfect complement to Akrochem’s core markets.”
Akrochem’s broad line of rubber compounding products and innovative technical experience contribute to the success of organizations throughout the world. Akrochem works with its customers to optimize cure systems, improve chemical dispersion, and produce better batch uniformity to help companies become more profitable.
About Akrochem
Based in Akron, Ohio, Akrochem serves companies globally in the rubber, plastic, paint, coatings, and lubricant markets. Since the company’s founding in 1929, Akrochem’s goal has been to improve productivity for each of it customers. Akrochem provides a comprehensive assortment of compounding materials and color concentrates—from the basic to the most complex and customized—all supported by the industry’s best technical expertise and service. Akrochem promotes professionalism through its ISO-9001-2015 and National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) accreditations. Visit www.akrochem.com for more information.
July 16, 2021
Purple Expands in GA
Georgia Governor Kemp Announces Purple Innovation — Creator of the Purple® Mattress — To More Than Double Company Workforce In Mcdonough, Ga., Creating 500 Jobs
July 9, 2021
ATLANTA — July 7, 2021 — Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Purple Innovation Inc., a comfort technology company known for creating the Purple® Mattress, will expand its operations in McDonough, Ga., and create an additional 500 jobs across production, fulfillment, customer care, and other areas of the business. This comes on the heels of the company’s commitment last year to create more than 360 jobs in Henry County. Once the expansion is complete, the company will employ more than 800 Georgians.
“After recently being admitted to the Georgia Made program, it’s great to see this company already thriving and expanding here in Georgia,” said Governor Kemp. “I want to thank Purple for their commitment to creating an additional 500 jobs for hardworking Georgians and for making the Peach State a key player in their all-American success story.”
Purple’s mission is to help people feel better through innovative comfort products like mattresses, pillows, and seat cushions. Purple’s cushion products are designed, manufactured, and assembled in the United States, and the company is further expanding its manufacturing operations to meet consumer demand.
“Purple is thrilled to expand our footprint across the country to better serve our customers and create jobs in Henry County,” said Purple CEO Joe Megibow. “We know that Georgia is the right place to add these important roles as we build on the incredible foundation we’ve established with Governor Kemp and Henry County.”
The expansion of the company’s current facility will be utilized as a customer care center, slated to open in the spring of 2022. This will also allow Purple to expand production with additional Mattress Max™ Machines — Purple’s proprietary production machinery — and assembly equipment. New positions created will include customer care representatives, training and content specialists, and quality assurance analysts. Individuals interested in career opportunities with Purple can visit purple.com/careers for additional information.
“A year ago, we welcomed the news that Purple Innovation chose Henry County for its first production facility outside of its home state of Utah,” said Henry County Board of Commissioners Chair Carlotta Harrell. “We are honored that they have not only chosen to expand their manufacturing facility, but will add one of their other business units in the new customer care center to the Henry County campus.”
“We take a lot of pride when one of our established industries expands in Henry County,” said Chairman of the Henry County Development Authority Pierre Clements. “Purple Innovation doubling their manufacturing footprint and adding a customer care center to their Henry County campus proves that our efforts in leveraging our strong supply chain position to grow our advanced manufacturing and professional services sectors are working. We want to thank Purple for their continued investments with us.”
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) was represented in this competitive project by Senior Project Manager Amanda Fields in partnership with the Henry County Development Authority, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Quick Start, and Georgia Power.
“Within a year of announcing their first location, it is exciting to share the news that Purple is expanding again,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This innovative, Georgia Made company will continue to impact lives across the country from right here in McDonough, and I know this is just the beginning of the success and good news we will hear from Purple. Many thanks to our economic development partners in Henry County for the support they provide to our manufacturing and distribution industries.”
Purple was recently admitted to the state’s premier Georgia Made program. The program was created in 2019 to celebrate the people and industries that manufacture a wide variety of products across the state. Companies accepted into the cost-free program join a roster of distinguished manufacturers that continue to shape Georgia jobs and the global supply chain.
Posted July 9, 2021
Source: Georgia Office of the Governor
www.textileworld.com/textile-world/2021/07/gov-kemp-announces-purple-innovation-creator-of-the-purple-mattress-to-more-than-double-company-workforce-in-mcdonough-georgia-creating-500-jobs/
July 16, 2021
Purple Expands in GA
Georgia Governor Kemp Announces Purple Innovation — Creator of the Purple® Mattress — To More Than Double Company Workforce In Mcdonough, Ga., Creating 500 Jobs
July 9, 2021
ATLANTA — July 7, 2021 — Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Purple Innovation Inc., a comfort technology company known for creating the Purple® Mattress, will expand its operations in McDonough, Ga., and create an additional 500 jobs across production, fulfillment, customer care, and other areas of the business. This comes on the heels of the company’s commitment last year to create more than 360 jobs in Henry County. Once the expansion is complete, the company will employ more than 800 Georgians.
“After recently being admitted to the Georgia Made program, it’s great to see this company already thriving and expanding here in Georgia,” said Governor Kemp. “I want to thank Purple for their commitment to creating an additional 500 jobs for hardworking Georgians and for making the Peach State a key player in their all-American success story.”
Purple’s mission is to help people feel better through innovative comfort products like mattresses, pillows, and seat cushions. Purple’s cushion products are designed, manufactured, and assembled in the United States, and the company is further expanding its manufacturing operations to meet consumer demand.
“Purple is thrilled to expand our footprint across the country to better serve our customers and create jobs in Henry County,” said Purple CEO Joe Megibow. “We know that Georgia is the right place to add these important roles as we build on the incredible foundation we’ve established with Governor Kemp and Henry County.”
The expansion of the company’s current facility will be utilized as a customer care center, slated to open in the spring of 2022. This will also allow Purple to expand production with additional Mattress Max™ Machines — Purple’s proprietary production machinery — and assembly equipment. New positions created will include customer care representatives, training and content specialists, and quality assurance analysts. Individuals interested in career opportunities with Purple can visit purple.com/careers for additional information.
“A year ago, we welcomed the news that Purple Innovation chose Henry County for its first production facility outside of its home state of Utah,” said Henry County Board of Commissioners Chair Carlotta Harrell. “We are honored that they have not only chosen to expand their manufacturing facility, but will add one of their other business units in the new customer care center to the Henry County campus.”
“We take a lot of pride when one of our established industries expands in Henry County,” said Chairman of the Henry County Development Authority Pierre Clements. “Purple Innovation doubling their manufacturing footprint and adding a customer care center to their Henry County campus proves that our efforts in leveraging our strong supply chain position to grow our advanced manufacturing and professional services sectors are working. We want to thank Purple for their continued investments with us.”
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) was represented in this competitive project by Senior Project Manager Amanda Fields in partnership with the Henry County Development Authority, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Quick Start, and Georgia Power.
“Within a year of announcing their first location, it is exciting to share the news that Purple is expanding again,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This innovative, Georgia Made company will continue to impact lives across the country from right here in McDonough, and I know this is just the beginning of the success and good news we will hear from Purple. Many thanks to our economic development partners in Henry County for the support they provide to our manufacturing and distribution industries.”
Purple was recently admitted to the state’s premier Georgia Made program. The program was created in 2019 to celebrate the people and industries that manufacture a wide variety of products across the state. Companies accepted into the cost-free program join a roster of distinguished manufacturers that continue to shape Georgia jobs and the global supply chain.
Posted July 9, 2021
Source: Georgia Office of the Governor
www.textileworld.com/textile-world/2021/07/gov-kemp-announces-purple-innovation-creator-of-the-purple-mattress-to-more-than-double-company-workforce-in-mcdonough-georgia-creating-500-jobs/
July 15, 2021
More On the Olin Fire
Residents of Georgia town stay inside as chemical fire burns
July 15, 2021Updated: July 15, 2021 2:01 p.m. Comments
ROBERTA, Ga. (AP) — Emergency officials are warning residents of a Middle Georgia town to shelter in place as a chemical fire burns nearby.
Fire crews on Thursday were battling the blaze at the Olin Epoxy plant in Crawford County, WMAZ-TV reported.
The emergency management department is advising people to stay away from Industrial Parkway.
Emergency Manager Director Ricky Sharon says they’re also asking for people in Roberta to stay inside because the fire is releasing toxic chemicals into the air.
There were no immediate reports of any injuries.
The plant is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Macon.
Clayton, Missouri-based Olin is the leading global supplier of epoxy materials, according to its website. It has offices and manufacturing plants in several U.S. cities and more than 20 nations.
Olin makes epoxy systems that are used primarily in the fabrication of wind turbine blades, according to the local Chamber of Commerce’s website.
July 15, 2021
More On the Olin Fire
Residents of Georgia town stay inside as chemical fire burns
July 15, 2021Updated: July 15, 2021 2:01 p.m. Comments
ROBERTA, Ga. (AP) — Emergency officials are warning residents of a Middle Georgia town to shelter in place as a chemical fire burns nearby.
Fire crews on Thursday were battling the blaze at the Olin Epoxy plant in Crawford County, WMAZ-TV reported.
The emergency management department is advising people to stay away from Industrial Parkway.
Emergency Manager Director Ricky Sharon says they’re also asking for people in Roberta to stay inside because the fire is releasing toxic chemicals into the air.
There were no immediate reports of any injuries.
The plant is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Macon.
Clayton, Missouri-based Olin is the leading global supplier of epoxy materials, according to its website. It has offices and manufacturing plants in several U.S. cities and more than 20 nations.
Olin makes epoxy systems that are used primarily in the fabrication of wind turbine blades, according to the local Chamber of Commerce’s website.
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