For Immediate Release May 7, 2013
MFG Chemical, Inc. recently welcomed Lawrence D. Sloan, President of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA), to its Kimberly Park facility in Dalton, GA. Sloan, who was in Georgia last week visiting five SOCMA member companies, discussed legislative and regulatory issues impacting the specialty chemical industry, as well as products and services the association offers its members to help them maintain a safe, sustainable and environmentally responsible operation and be competitive in the global marketplace.
One of the current issues that could have a significant impact on specialty chemical makers is the proposed reform of the Toxic Substances Control (TSCA), a program enacted to protect human health and the environment from potential risks resulting from exposures to industrial chemicals without impeding or creating unnecessary economic barriers to technical innovation. During his visit with members of the MFG staff, Sloan said SOCMA believes Congress should:
Support carefully tailored fixes to TSCA, achieved in a bipartisan manner: Senator David Vitter (R-LA) is spearheading efforts to achieve this.
MFG Chemical President and CEO Chuck Gavin had an opportunity to voice his concerns about TSCA reform and other issues during face-to-face meetings with lawmakers as part of SOCMA’s Washington Fly-In in April. This annual grassroots event is one of the many advocacy and networking opportunities the association offers its members throughout the year.
Sloan also discussed the value of SOCMA products and services, including ChemStewards®, the association’s environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) program. All members are required to comply with the strict standards of ChemStewards, and members of the SOCMA staff are constantly reviewing and updating parameters of the program to reflect industry best practices. MFG has been ChemStewards certified since 2009.
“It was great having Larry come down and visit some of the Georgia member companies,” Gavin said. “After our meeting, I had the chance to take Larry to visit some Dalton area chemical companies that are not SOCMA members and let him tell them about the benefits of membership. There is no question that SOCMA and their ChemStewards program have made MFG a better and safer manufacturer.”
MFG has been a member of SOCMA, the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated to the batch, custom and specialty chemical industry, since 1990. SOCMA has a global membership of more than 220 members that employ 46,500 people and contribute $24 billion to the U.S. economy.
The staff of Chattanooga State’s Wacker Institute created a special course to train MFG personnel in the operation of computer controlled distillation prior to the startup on new equipment at MFG Chemical, Inc’s Kimberly Park plant in Dalton, GA. The group of eighteen MFG employees was made up of operators, chemists and chemical engineers. According to Tim McGhee, dean of the engineering technology division, “this is a great opportunity for us to use our staff and state-of-art training plant to assist manufacturers like MFG Chemical upgrade the skills of their workforce.”
Dave Driggers, Vice-President of Operations for MFG, stated “We are excited about this training opportunity. Chattanooga State is the only place we know of that has the distillation equipment and the teaching staff to produce a course like this.” The distillation equipment, while not identical to MFG’s, offered a unique opportunity to teach the operation of multi-stage, computer controlled distillation.
Driggers and all of the other MFG employees were enthusiastic about the training and MFG looks forward to future training opportunities with Chattanooga State.
MFG Chemical, Inc. has modified two 6500 gallon stainless steel reactors to enhance their distillation capacities.
An 18 inch by 20 foot structured packed column with an estimated 22 theoretical plates has been added to one of the 6500 gallon reactors. It will initially be used for making products that have a mixture of volatiles where it is desirable to separate them, returning some to the reaction while distilling off the others.
A decanter system has been added to the other 6500 gallon reactor. The decanter allows the separation of immiscible liquids and the return of one to the reactor and the other to a receiver.
These modifications increase the already high flexibility of these reactors. Both reactors are equipped with steam and hot oil heat and vacuum capable of about 5 torr.
Andrew Bell
MFG Chemical, Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Andrew Bell, a junior in the Chemical Engineering Program at Auburn University, as a co-op student.
Bell will work this semester, January to May, in the engineering group at MFG. He will be assisting MFG’s engineers and chemists in running studies, tests and mechanical assessments.
Bell is the first of two co-op students from Auburn that will alternate semesters working at MFG during their junior and senior years.
For Immediate Release
November 21, 2012
Contact:
MFG Chemical,Inc.
Woody Mader
Commercial Development Manager
706 226 4114
MFG Chemical, Inc., recently hosted a meeting at their Dalton, GA, headquarters to give north Georgia chemical manufacturers an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the benefits the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) has to offer specialty chemical manufacturers.
“MFG has benefited greatly from membership in SOCMA, particularly from participation in their ChemStewards® program and the business contacts we have made through SOCMA and the Informex trade show,” said Chuck Gavin, MFG President and CEO. “I wanted to host this meeting to introduce other area chemical manufacturers to the benefits of SOCMA membership.”
During the meeting, Todd Brown, Director, Member Recruitment & Retention for SOCMA, described how SOCMA serves the batch, custom and specialty segment of the chemical industry, which includes giant, multi-national companies and many small businesses. He also discussed SOCMA’s three strategic directions, which include networking, ChemStewards®, and government relations, and how they can benefit this unique sector of the chemical industry.
Brown told attendees that SOCMA’s networking offerings include an online Chemical Services Directory, many face-to-face events, in addition to the Informex trade show, and peer group programs.
All manufacturing members are required to participate in ChemStewards® – SOCMA’s industry-developed environmental, health, safety & security program, Brown said. The program is designed to help facilities optimize their performance, save money and enhance their roles as good corporate citizens in their communities.
SOCMA is the recognized authority on the specialty chemical sector by the White House, federal agencies and Congress, Brown said. SOCMA keeps members informed on government actions that affect the industry, and its Government Relations staff keeps Congress and regulatory agencies informed on issues that impact their members and their ability to do business.
The meeting concluded with a Q&A session and remarks by Gavin. An informal lunch followed.
Mr. Jack Drawdy, Jr.
MFG Chemical, Inc. Hires New Sales Leader
Dalton, GA – Jack Drawdy, Jr has been chosen as the Sales & Business Development Manager for MFG Chemical, Inc., a Dalton, Georgia based chemical custom and toll manufacturer.
Jack’s career has been in the chemical business for over 25 years managing, selling and developing business within industrial markets. Jack has been active in SOCMA (Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates) and associated trade shows as INFORMEX.
Jack will have the responsibility to grow the company’s sales and earnings throughout the Americas through our current customer base and expanding into new markets segments. Jack will maintain his permanent residence in the Carolinas and will also maintain an office at our Kimberly Park Corporate offices in Dalton, Georgia. Jack received his Bachelor’s degree from Wofford College.
MFG Chemical is a member of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates and is associated with the Specialty Chemicals segment of the chemical industry.
Photo L-R (Bob Mauney, Dave Driggers, Chuck Gavin, Chris Roberts, Charles Gavin, Dan Bush, Richard Underwood, Keith Arnold)
MFG Chemical, Inc. of Dalton, Georgia hosted today the Dean of the Auburn Engineering Department, Dr. Christopher Roberts.
Chuck Gavin, President and CEO and Charles Gavin, Chairman of the Board, both graduates and supporters of Auburn University, and the MFG Staff explored mutual areas of interest for both Auburn University and MFG Chemical. Chuck Gavin said, “I look forward to working closer with the Auburn engineering department in the areas of co-op students, analytical testing, and product development capabilities”. Auburn University is a key leader in higher education, industrial training, technological developments and advancements.”
Dr. Roberts toured MFG Chemical’s corporate offices and laboratory, including the Kimberly Park Plant. Dr. Roberts mentioned, “MFG Chemical would be a great learning ground for one of our co-op students to gain the insights that a small to medium sized company offers in versatility and the variety of chemistries that is employed.”
MFG Chemical is a member of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates and is associated with the Specialty Chemicals segment of the chemical industry.
For Immediate Release: July 25, 2012
Chuck Gavin, President and CEO of MFG Chemical, Inc. will be attending a new trade show, Chemicals America, to be held September 10-11, 2012 in Wilmington, NC.
This is the first year for this show which is aimed at people associated with the Specialty Chemicals segment of the chemical industry.
MFG is a long time participant in this chemical industry segment and manufacturers chemical products that are used in a wide range on markets in the US and export markets.
For Immediate Release June 6, 2012
MFG Chemical, Inc. President and CEO Charles E. Gavin has signed a letter to Chattanooga State President Dr. James L. Catanzaro in support of the work by the school to provide technically trained workers to the Chattanooga Area.
“We especially support the Chemical Process Engineering Technology degree. We feel there is a need in process development and process management for people with hands-on orientation and applied technology skills. We think your degree program will fill that need.”
Mr. Gavin Closed with, “Your institution has an outstanding track record in reacting to the needs of local business and industry. We appreciate your vision, your anticipation of the needs of our community and your response with educational programs to supply graduates with the skills needed to continue the positive grown in our community.”
June 4, 2012
All of MFG Chemical, Inc.’s chemical operators have completed the 28-hour training course administered by Georgia Northwestern Technical College. The curriculum was designed by the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) and covers, along with other subjects, basic safety, process safety management, reactors, auxiliary plant equipment, environment, control systems and OSHA safety compliance.
MFG President and CEO Chuck Gavin congratulates all of these operators for “devoting a lot of time and effort to complete this course.”
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