Pitt County presented three existing industries with honors at the 29th Annual Existing Industries Reception. Industry of the Year honors went to Avient of Greenville and CMI Plastics of Ayden. The first ever Trailblazer Award went to CMP Pharma of Farmville.
Hosted by Pitt County Economic Development, the reception was held on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at the Hilton Greenville, sponsor of the event along with the Greenville ENC Alliance, Greenville Utilities Commission and ElectriCities.
The event was scheduled ahead of National Manufacturing Day, Friday, October 6, 2023 to highlight the accomplishments and impact of local industries to our economy and communities. Pitt County Board of Commissioners approved a proclamation on Monday, September 25 to celebrate National Manufacturing Day.
“As our corporate community continues to diversify and grow, so does Pitt County,” says Kelly Andrews, Pitt County Economic Development Director. “Our industries are comprised of some of our highest tax payers and philanthropic donors, and they continue to offer high skilled, high paying jobs for our citizens. We are very proud and thankful for the contributions of our existing industries and congratulate Avient, CMI Plastics and CMP Pharma as our 2023 award winners.”
Industry of the Year-Small Business, CMI Plastics, has been in operation in Pitt County since 2007. Founded in 1939, this third-generation, family run company relocated to Ayden, N.C. to allow them to expand, as they had outgrown their facilities. The company provides custom packaging solutions, concentrating on thermoforming, for companies in various industries, including local companies such as ECVC and Thermo Fisher Scientific. They provide packaging for well-known brands such as Brown Forman (Jack Daniel’s), Casamigos, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Pokemon, Betty Crocker and others.
CMI is currently expanding, nearly doubling in size with a 60,000-sf addition, which should be completed before the end of the year. Since moving to Pitt County, CMI has received several packaging design awards as well as Company recognition, including 2014 Most Valuable Partner- R.J. Reynolds Vapor, and 2021 and 2022 Manufacturer of the Year- Pokemon/The Card Game.
“Over the years CMI has continuously improved and grown while maintaining agility for our customers’ expectations, positive supplier relationships and sustainable business practices,” says Steven Hasselbach, Sales and Engineering Manager. “This has allowed us to give back to the community and employees that have helped us get to where we are now. We look forward to our expansion in Pitt County and continuing to support our community.”
Industry of the Year-Large Business honors for 2023 went to Avient Corporation. Avient is the manufacturer of Dyneema®, an engineered fiber that is 15 times stronger than steel and used in demanding applications such as ballistic personal protection, marine and sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, industrial protection and outdoor sports. The Greenville site, in operation for 22 years, is the only producer of Dyneema® fiber and Dyneema® unidirectional (UD) material in the U.S.
Since 2018, the Greenville site has received the NC Department of Labor’s Carolina Star recognition for its stellar safety record and robust occupational safety and health measures. As stewards of the environment, the Greenville site runs on 100% renewable electricity, and they are investing in a water recycling project with a target of 80% recycled water. They are also ISO 9001 certified.
“We take great pride in the amazing products we offer to our customers and end-users and that we do so with a passion for protecting the environment and community in which we live. We also recognize that our people make us successful, and we appreciate their individual and collective contributions of which this award can be attributed,” says Scott McIntyre, Site Director.
Pitt County also presented a first-ever Trailblazer Award to CMP Pharma. CMP is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes a portfolio of branded oral liquid products. The company was originally founded by Henry Smith as Carolina Medical Products in 1975. In 2012, the company was acquired by a private equity firm, Altaris Capital Partners. As the company transitioned from generic to branded products, the name was changed to CMP Pharma.
Between 2017 and today, the company has developed, received FDA approval of and launched five branded oral liquids treating cardiovascular disorders. In addition, the company has nearly quadrupled in employee size since 2012, from 22 to 80, under the leadership of Gerry Sakowski, Chief Executive Officer. Looking to the future, CMP has a healthy pipeline of oral liquid products in development.
“CMP Pharma is like a family,” says Gerry Sakowski, CEO. “Over half of our employees have been here at least 10 years and several being here 20+ years. Our teams enjoy coming in and working to create new products that help patients that have difficulty swallowing tablets and capsules.”
The Existing Industries Reception also recognized industries with significant anniversaries, such as Minges Bottling Group, which was the 2020 Industry of the Year. Minges is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year and is in the process of constructing a new distribution facility in Ayden, N.C. Pitt County’s longest-operating industry, Free Will Baptist Press Foundation, is celebrating its 150th year.
“Pitt County Economic Development is proud to honor Avient, CMI Plastics and CMP Pharma for their ongoing success and undeniable achievements,” says Andrews. “As we approach National Manufacturing Day, we cannot emphasize enough the positive economic impacts and diverse career opportunities that our local manufacturers provide, and this event is just a small ‘thank you’ for all that you do for Pitt County.”
For more information, visit www.growpittcountync.com or contact Pitt County Economic Development at (252) 902-2079.
The Mission of Pitt County Government is to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of our community by advocating for and providing quality services in a friendly and cost-effective manner. Learn more: www.PittCountyNC.gov
Media Contact:
Dawn C. Jones
Director, Public Information & Media Relations
dawn.jones@pittcountync.gov
252-902-2955