Perdue Farms and Elektran were both recognized as outstanding employers at the event.
The Rockingham Perdue plant employs 1,300 associates and maintains contracts with poultry producer in Richmond and surrounding counties.
“Perdue is excited that even with the economy the way it is, we’re still able to provide employment here in Richmond County,” said Senior Human Resources Representative Travis Billingsley. “We’re honored to be recognized as an excellent employer in Richmond County, that continues to promote from within and offers opportunities to local folks.”
He said he felt one thing that has enabled Perdue to hire locals is its partnership with the Employment Security Commission, and its requirement applicants apply through that agency.
“I can’t quit bragging enough about (ESC Local Office Manager) Judy Carpenter and her staff over there,” he said. “Even while we had all this bad news in the economy, they remained positive and upbeat, and offer valuable services, not only to employees of Richmond County, but employers as well.”
Elektran has been in operation in Rockingham since the late 1970’s, when it operated under the name of Graham and Simmon’s Motor Repair. Richard Adams has been the president over the subsequent 32 years.
“I like the focus to be on the people who work here,” Adams said. “They are the reason this company is able to be successful. It’s their hard work and their attendance in schools and training programs.”
He said that many of the 15 employees of the company are natives of this area, and have graduated from Richmond Senior High School and Richmond Community College.
The company specializes in electric motor repair, automation products and programs and electric board and drive repairs.
Despite the fact some of their largest clients are connected to the auto industry, and have thus taken recent hits in the volume of work they require, he is continuing to attempt to grow the local business.
“We got an incumbent worker grant to do advanced Programmable Logic Control (PLC) training through Siemen’s (Corporation),” Adams said. “We also partnered with Richmond Community College for servo training, to be able to work on hybrid motors, and we’ve been training with people all over the state. And we also gained certification by Underwriter’s Laboratories for panel building.”
He attributed the company’s ability to grow to coordination with the City of Rockingham, Richmond County Economic Development and Elaine Gibson of the ESC.
“This is just a wonderful community to try to grow a business,” he said.
In a press release, the Pee Dee Workforce Development Board also noted three Richmond County participants in programs conducted under provisions of the federal Workforce Investment Act were also recognized.
These three individuals were Ronnie Wall Sr., Singsakhone Khampanya and Marissa Newkirk.
The banquet was held at the Day’s Inn in Southern Pines on June 4.
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