GMM Pfaudler/JDS celebrates ribbon cutting for new facility

GMM Pfaudler, in partnership with JDS, held their ribbon cutting on July 17th for a new facility on Brady Road. JDS, owned by the Patels, is a local company. Their partner Pfaudler has 14 locations across the globe. Sneha Patel told how JDS had come to partner with Pfaudler. “About two years ago, we had already started operations, and they approached us to buy us out. We told them that we were not interested in selling it out, because I was afraid that if we sold it then they would move the plant or close it and that was not the plan. When we opened it, we wanted it to stay here for [the] local community. We wanted to open up a lot of jobs for locals in Sumter County.” Patel told how Pfaudler offered to become partners, and JDS accepted on certain conditions. “If we become partners, they’ll be a condition, you cannot close the plant, you cannot move it anywhere, and it must stay here.” Patel told how Pfaudler agreed, helping to train their staff.

She talked about what it was like opening the facility. “It’s amazing. It felt like we’re accomplishing something greater than we can ever imagine.” She talked about what it was like to create more jobs. “So it’s definitely a great feeling to be able to do that for the community. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. We’ve lived here twenty-six years and Sam had this dream of becoming a manufacturing business for a very long time and it’s finally come true.”

Patel also detailed the widespread use of the product, which are large tanks used in a variety of industries. “In fact everything that we use on our daily routine is probably passed through some of our tanks that we do one time or another, because they make up anything, any chemicals that are acidic or alkaline goes through our tanks, any food products that don’t need to be contaminated goes through our tanks. So medications that we take on daily basis, probably go through our tanks as well.”

Corrosion resistant glass lining on the inside of the tank allows for the wide range of chemicals to be stored inside. Russ Bennett, a ceramic engineer working for Pfaudler, talked about how this allowed for a versatile and useful container. “I love the product. It’s interesting. Our customers do so many different things with these tanks. All kinds of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food products, you name it.”

Bennett described the design of the tanks. “Think of it like a thermos bottle, if you will, only rounded on the ends. The inside is glass, it’s got holes in the top, with glass lining, to hook up piping so you can introduce the chemicals, draw chemicals out to run your reaction. And instead of insulation between the outer shell and the inner shell, it’s an open space, where you can pipe in heating and cooling fluids to control your reaction. Casper Pfaudler started doing it 140 years ago, and we’re still doing it today.”

During the opening ceremonies, Mayor of Americus Lee Kinnamon addressed the employees, community leaders, and officials who had gathered for the ribbon cutting. He talked about how Americus and Sumter County are; “home grown, and world renown,” citing the partnership between JDS and Pfaudler as proof.

Kinnamon continued to praise the global footprint of the community. “I am truly grateful that we continue that path toward a global reach, global presence, but also at the same time staying true to our roots in this community, where we cherish collaboration, where we cherish cooperation, those things matter to us. Unlike much of the world today, we do not see it as a zero-sum game. We believe that what benefits our neighbor also can benefit us.”

Coryn Marsik, the director of international investment in the State of Georgia at the department of economic development spoke afterward. “It’s always exciting to see Georgia companies grow, especially when that growth is for the development of partnerships and new friendships. I know I’m a little biased here because I oversee international investment for the state of Georgia, but I really do believe that international partnerships make our State not only a more dynamic and great place to live, but also make our State more resilient.”

Rusty Warner, with the Sumter County Development Authority, made an address. “We can talk about international, we can talk about new businesses coming in, but the biggest thing and the biggest honor that I see, as far as your community goes, is when you have an existing business, and they are doing an expansion. And this business is not only doing an expansion, locally, with this County, and with this State, they also took it international.” He thanked both the Patel’s and Pfaudler for doing work in Sumter County.

Commissioner Jim Reid addressed those gathered, extending Chair David Baldwin’s regrets for not having the ability to attend. “I would like to congratulate the Patel family on this great accomplishment.”

The post GMM Pfaudler/JDS celebrates ribbon cutting for new facility appeared first on Americus Times-Recorder .