Wheelabrator Celebrates 100th Anniversary at Their LaGrange, Georgia Location
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LaGrange, GA - (June 23, 2008) - Wheelabrator Group leads the worldwide surface preparation industry with 1,320 employees in 19 countries. The company recently marked its first century with the first of many global 2008 celebrations at a day-long LaGrange GA event for 150 local employees, company executives and civic leaders.
"Today, we're the acknowledged leader in our industry segment," Wheelabrator President and CEO Robert E. Joyce, Jr. told employees.
Joyce reminded employees that Wheelabrator leadership does not afford the opportunity to rest. "We cannot be satisfied with being good because there is always room for improvement. We need to change faster than our competitors in meeting clients' needs," said Joyce.
Congressman Lynn A. Westmoreland reminded employees and guests that Wheelabrator came into existence about the same time as the first automobile. Westmoreland praised Wheelabrator for its "great job of building a family unit that wants to work together and do great things."
Gary Weil, Director of Risk Management and Technical Services for Wheelabrator Group, has been an employee of Wheelabrator for over 40 years. With such an extensive history with the company, Weil was able to give new employees an insight into the past of Wheelabrator and why the extraordinary company has been able to survive the tests of time. "Our business foundation had four primary supports that were alive and had to be fed to sustain our successes and reduce our failures: understanding the Global markets of the industries we served; understanding the raw materials and processes used by those industries; understanding what Wheelabrator Technology could and could not do; and understanding the part people play in the dynamics of truly successful selling," said Weil.
Founded in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1908 by Verne E. Minich, Wheelabrator Group moved to LaGrange from Mishawaka, Ind., in 1987. The company's continued success hinges on a consistent and clear purpose. Joyce stated, "Our focus is simple -give the customers what they need - and in order to effectively do that, we must continuously remake ourselves." He continued, "Our customers are seeking solutions to lower the cost of production, as well as find products that last longer. Wheelebrator works to meet this need every day through innovative solutions."
In remembrance of the company's 100 year celebration, Joyce presented Lukken and Westmoreland with specially commissioned Wheelabrator coins and a book, "Revolutions, The first 100 years of Wheelabrator Group." The planting of a Japanese maple tree and the burial of a time capsule, to be opened in 50 years, also marked the occasion.
Wheelabrator Group, a global provider of surface preparation and finishing solutions, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2008. Committed to offering the broadest array of technologies, products, services and technical know-how, the Wheelabrator Group works closely with customers to deliver the best solutions for their specific requirements. The company's strategically located and electronically linked offices allow Wheelabrator Group to provide unrivalled customer service and support worldwide. For more information on Wheelabrator visit the web site at www.wheelabratorgroup.com or e-mail info@wheelabratorgroup.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Pamela Akin
Marketing Manager
Wheelabrator
800-544-4144, ext. 2295
Pam.akin@wheelabratorgroup.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Flammer Relations, Inc.
770-383-3360
Laura Everett:
Laura@flammerpr.com
