GW Plastics has been named the Deane C Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year, Vermont's most prestigious business award. Governor Peter Shumlin announced the winner Wednesday morning. Presented by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the award was given at the kick off of the 29th annual Vermont Chamber Business & Industry EXPO at the Sheraton Burlington Conference Center. Finalists for the award included Green Mountain Power and Instrumart.
With its World Headquarters located in Bethel, Vermont, GW Plastics has built a reputation as one of Vermont’s most respected employers and successful manufacturers. Recognized as a global industry leader in plastics manufacturing, GW’s focus is on high technology injection molding, tooling and contract manufacturing of precision thermoplastic and silicone components and assemblies for the world’s most successful companies.
GW Plastics was founded in Bethel, Vermont in 1955 by two early Plastics Pioneers, John Galvin and Odin Westgaard. After building GW into a successful business, they sold the company to Carborundum Corporation in 1973. Following a series of large-company M&A transactions in the 1980s, GW ultimately found itself owned by Standard Oil of Ohio which was later purchased by British Petroleum. In 1983, after years of large company neglect, a group of company managers and investors led by Vermont resident and plastics industry veteran Frederic (Fred) Riehl, purchased GW Plastics from BP and returned the company back to its Vermont roots. Had Fred Riehl and others not taken the personal financial risk to purchase GW it is unlikely the company would have remained a viable enterprise in Vermont. In 1998, Brenan (Ben) Riehl, who joined GW after a career with General Electric Plastics, became the President and CEO of GW assuring a smooth leadership transition, and ongoing commitment to Vermont.
During the last two decades, the company has expanded four times in Vermont, investing tens of millions of dollars in equipment, facilities and training while doubling its Vermont employment to more than 300 associates with over 900 associates worldwide. At the same time, GW expanded its market reach both nationally and globally with locations in the United States, Latin America and Asia while earning the trust of market leaders including Abbott Labs; Boston Scientific; Covidien, Idexx; Johnson & Johnson; Philips Healthcare; Robert Bosch and Takata.
GW is proud of the fact that it has been in the forefront of new technology development and manufacturing for transformational healthcare and automotive products such as minimally invasive medical devices and safety restraint systems.
In 2012, GW Plastics reaffirmed its commitment to Vermont, with a $3,500,000 state-of-the art addition to its Royalton, VT Silicones operation in response to increased customer demand. GW expects this expansion to result in high tech job opportunities for Vermonters. At the same time, GW partnered with a number of leading global medical device companies successfully launching several innovative, multi-million dollar programs in its Bethel and Royalton, Vermont locations positioning the company for continued growth in 2013.
Through standardization of facilities, equipment and quality systems at all locations worldwide, GW Plastics offers customers unsurpassed process consistency and cost-efficiency. GW Plastics' professional leadership team, continuity of ownership and long-tenured work force has built a world class company based on consistent performance, long term customer relationships, financial stewardship and workplace satisfaction.
GW Plastics takes its commitment to environmental sustainability seriously. Intrinsic benefits, as well as real financial savings, have led GW to embrace sound environmental stewardship in all of its locations. GW Plastics has completed a number of successful sustainability initiatives in the areas of Energy Reduction, Water Use Reduction and Waste Reduction and is a member of the Green Suppliers Network, a federally funded program to facilitate the establishment and implementation of "Lean and Clean" manufacturing techniques for manufacturers.
Commitment to quality, environmental responsibility, and employee growth, makes GW Plastics a leader in its industry. These ideals not only match the criteria for the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business award but outline the principals of the company’s mission statement. Their dedication makes GW Plastics a fierce competitor in the race for this award.
Vermont’s business community is comprised of a multitude of companies, both large and small, that provide economic stability to the state. This community offers quality jobs, products and services to consumers in Vermont, the United States and world-wide, maintaining an intense focus on employee and environmental well-being representative of the Vermont quality of life.
In an effort to recognize and honor Vermont’s best companies, Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce created the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award in 1990. Named for the former Governor of Vermont, this annual award honors a Vermont business that shows an outstanding history of sustained growth while displaying an acute awareness of what makes Vermont unique.
Many Vermont companies emulate the standards by which the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business Award nominees are judged, but only three are distinguished each year as finalists for this 23 year old award. The three finalists for this year’s Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business Award are: Green Mountain Power, GW Plastics, and Instrumart.
This year’s finalists exemplify the resourcefulness, innovation and success that represent the spirit of Vermont’s businesses. All share in common a dedication to their employees, communities and to Vermont as a natural resource.
DEANE C. DAVIS: THE MAN BEHIND THE AWARD
All three businesses have shown great merit as finalists for the Deane C. Davis Award. Like Davis himself’former governor, president of National Life of Vermont, environmentalist, and founder of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce’each finalist reflects Vermont’s diverse nature and, at the same time, radiates a savvy business sense.
The criteria for this Award include:
Growth in sales or employment.
Commitment of company resources for participation in community projects.
Encouragement of employees to be involved in community events.
Recognition of the importance of the environment to the state as a natural and economic resource.
Addressing employee concerns/needs to create a positive work environment for all employees.
Nominated businesses must have been based in Vermont for at least 10 years.
Former Deane C. Davis Award winners include:
Wallace Enterprises, Williston - 1990; C&S Wholesale Grocers, Brattleboro - 1991; John McKenzie Packing Company, Burlington - 1992; Perry Restaurant Group, Shelburne - 1993; Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Waterbury - 1994; Vermont Heating & Ventilating, Colchester - 1995; Mack Molding Inc., Arlington - 1996; Smugglers’Notch Resort, Jeffersonville - 1997; Vermont Country Store, Manchester Center - 1998; Cabot Creamery, Montpelier - 1999; Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom, Waitsfield - 2000; Wild Apple Graphics, Woodstock ‘2001; NRG Systems, Inc., Hinesburg ‘2002; Hubbardton Forge, Castleton ‘2003; IDX Systems Corp ‘2004; King Arthur Flour, Norwich ‘2005; Resource Systems Group, White River Junction ‘2006; Symquest, South Burlington ‘2007; National Life Group, South Burlington ‘2008; Biotek Instruments, Winooski ‘2009; Small Dog Electronics, Waitsfield ‘2010; The Foley Family of Companies, Rutland ‘2011.
THE 2012 DEANE C. DAVIS AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEE
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine sincerely thank the members of this year’s Selection Committee. The committee meets behind closed doors to review the award nominations. These dedicated volunteers are held in high regard for their enthusiasm and strong commitment to the spirit of the Deane C. Davis Award.
Betsy Bishop, Vermont Chamber of Commerce
John Boutin, Vermont Business Magazine
Chris Graff, National Life Group
Sabina Haskell, FairPoint Communications
Alan Jones, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom
PHOTO: GW Plastics CEO Brenan Riehl holds the Deane C Davis Outstanding Vermont Busienss of the Year granite plaque.