Charles Owen becomes park's second international tenant

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday, November 29, at Charles Owen, Inc. USA, located in the Lincoln County Business Park. Headquartered in North Wales, the company is one of the premier manufacturers of equestrian safety equipment in the world. Pictured are: (l-r) George Leverett, chairman of the Lincoln County Development Authority; Wendy Bibb, senior regional project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development; Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners; Roy Burek, owner and president of Charles Owen, Inc. USA; Alana Burke, executive director of the development authority; and John Perryman, senior project manager for the Georgia Power Company.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday, November 29, for Charles Owen & Company, Ltd.'s new distribution center, located in the building formerly occupied by FDB, Inc. in the Lincoln County Business Park on Old Petersburg Road.

Based in a 4,400-square-foot facility in Wrexham, North Wales, the company is one of the premier manufacturers of equestrian safety equipment in the world.

Checking out the best-selling riding helmet manufactured by Charles Owen & Company are: (l-r) Marie Burgamy and Robin Landers, company employees; Jim Aycock, manager of the local Georgia Power office; and Larry Pinson, Lincoln County Development Authority member.

Prior to moving into the FDB building, Charles Owen, Inc. USA operated out of a warehouse on the Augusta Highway. Plans were for the Lincoln County Development Authority to construct an 18,000- square-foot facility at the business park and lease it to the company.

However, in the meantime, the FDB building became vacant, and in order to save time, the North Wales company decided to pursue that option instead. Earlier this year, company officials signed a 10-year lease on the building and agreed to cover the cost of refurbishing the 20,000-squarefoot facility.

It is anticipated that the business will provide jobs for up to 20 people in the first two years.

Known for its strict quality control practices, Charles Owen & Company specializes in safety helmets, with markets in Canada, Ireland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Australia, and now, the United States.

The manufacturer is the second international company to locate a distribution center in Lincoln County. In October, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Hero Metal Furniture Company's distribution center, situ- ated in the Highway 378 Industrial Park. The company is based in Jiaxing City, China.

At the outset of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Charles Owen, Inc. USA, George Leverett, chairman of the Lincoln County Development Authority, welcomed those present.

He then noted that it was a pleasure to work with Roy Burek, owner and president of the company and grandson of its founder. "Roy is very passionate about life and his company. He wants the best, and that's the way it should be when you're in business. His company is focused on manufacturing the best quality products for the equestrian athlete."

Addressing Burek and his staff, Leverett said, "We're glad to have you here and look forward to a long, successful venture for both you and Lincoln County."

Next on the program was Wendy Bibb, senior regional project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).

After bringing greetings to those present from Governor Sonny Perdue and Ken Stewart, GDEcD commissioner, Bibb said, "When I began serving Lincoln County 12 years ago, Crider's had just burned and Mayfair Mills had gone out of business. I remember meeting with elected officials regarding the future of the county. Everyone was distressed - they knew something needed to be done.

"Now, it's a new day for the area. You have had so much success in the last several years, and we're delighted to have been a small part of that. All of you are to be commended for being aggressive and recruiting industry and putting your best foot forward for the community."

Bibb stated that the county has a tremendous leadership base, which makes all of the difference when trying to recruit new businesses. "From the beginning, Lincoln County showcased well, and the community leaders made a wonderful first impression."

Speaking to Burek and his staff, the regional project manager said, "I would also like to commend the employees of Charles Owen, Inc. USA for the quality you represent - and you are known for that internationally. We are so proud to have you in Georgia and Lincoln County, and we pledge our support to you."

Following Bibb on the program was John Perryman, senior project manager for the Georgia Power Company.

"Wendy (Bibb) and I have the most fun jobs in the entire world: we help communities and businesses get married. This project started in earnest in January of 2006 when we began showing sites. Within three months, we knew Lincoln County was the chosen spot. Projects like this normally take years."

In other comments, he said, "This is the most perfect place for an industrial park I've seen in the state. The county also has one of the best economic development teams in the state. Roy, welcome to one of the smallest but best communities in Georgia."

The next speaker to take the podium was company owner and president Roy Burek, who thanked everyone present for the "great welcome."

Concerning Charles Owen & Company, he stated, "You want to make a difference at whatever you work at. When you are manufacturing a product that saves people's lives, it gives you the sense that you are making a difference, which makes you quite passionate about your job. It's not only about making great products, but helping set the standards for the future."

In additional remarks, Burek pointed out that sometimes, when a community is down on its luck, it can feel sorry for itself. "I was struck by the fact that the leadership of Lincoln County was saying, 'Stuff happens, but we have a great community, and we want to tell everybody about the fantastic opportunities in our county.'

"That sense of pride was very important for me," he continued. "I got the feeling that this county was all about wanting to support businesses to provide benefits to the local community. I've really enjoyed working with Alana (Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincoln County Development Authority) and Walker (chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners) and looking at how we can help enhance the community."

Burek also had a great deal of praise for his staff. "Comparing the shipping figures of 2005 to those of 2007, the Lincoln County team shipped 96- percent more product this year than two years ago. It's amazing - the team wants to progress as well as take on new challenges. This week, we've been looking at growing out enterprise and employing more people."

He then introduced his Lincoln County staff which consists of Penny Hubbard, sales manager, USA and Canada; Melaina Murphy, USA sales office and distribution manager; Lou Anne Bieber, warehouse/catalogue liaison; Robin Landers, customer returns; Marie Burgamy, customer accounts/ credit control; April McGahee, customer service representative; Lashonda Wiggs, shipper; Jeremy Johnson, warehouse; and Mike Fairburn, shipper/warehouse.

Burek and his employees received a round of applause from the audience.

Closing remarks were delivered by Commission Chairman Norman, who told Burek, "On behalf of Lincoln County Government, we appreciate you finally making the decision to locate on Georgia's Fresh Water Coast."

The chairman went on to stress the amount of time and effort involved in locating businesses in the county. He thanked Alana Burke, George Leverett, Larry Pinson and the other members of the development authority, Wendy Bibb, and John Perryman for all of their hard work.

"It is this spirit of cooperation that causes events such as this to occur," he said. "If the state doesn't bring the companies to us, it's hard for us to get them.

"I'm proud of the international companies this little county has gotten in the past two years. After over 30 years of public life, I'm proud to tell people all over the state and other places that we are an international community. The surrounding counties are very envious of the fact that we have located companies such as the Hero Metal Furniture Company and Charles Owen & Company in Lincoln County. I assure you that we will continue to work abroad and in the United States to bring jobs to the county."

Chairman Norman likewise noted that the development authority currently has five prospects that are considering locating in Lincoln County: two are international companies and three are from the United States.

In other comments, the chairman gave the audience an update on Medac, a medical billing company that broke ground in the business park last November. "We are disappointed that construction hasn't begun and people aren't already working, but I can say without a doubt that it will come to pass. Medac has been in the process of trying to acquire a big West Coast company which has slowed things down. If this happens on the West Coast, the project could be even bigger than any of us ever imagined for Lincoln County. We're talking about 300 jobs - if we have to wait another 12 to 18 months, it will be worth the wait."

Addressing Burek, Chairman Norman stated, "This is a beautiful park. I can see beyond today to the many buildings that will occupy this site in the future. Roy, you will have some of the best neighbors here you've ever seen.

"Remember also that we don't cut the ties once the paperwork has been signed. Our team is ready and available to work with you now and in the future."

In conclusion, Norman presented Burek with a business card holder emblazoned with the Lincoln County seal.

The ribbon was then cut, and guests were treated to a tour of the facility and lunch.

In an interview with The Lincoln Journal, conducted after the ceremony, Burek said, "As I travel around the world, I tend to find that most places are similar. However, Lincolnton has retained some of the values that are lost in many places - a sense of community and respect for each other. People take the time to consider others. You've got it so right.

"My view of people from Georgia is they are very polite - they've got so much class. This state is where the ladies and gentlemen of the USA reside."

Calling it an "advert," Burek added that his company offers people who love to ride English a great opportunity. "We invite people who have riding as a passion to apply for a job with our company. If riders can call and talk with customer representatives with the same passion, it helps the business grow."

Established in 1911 by Charles Owen, the company's first product was pith helmets for the army. Soon, the company diversified into helmets for motorcycle racing. But it was not until 1957, when a family member started riding, that the company made its first riding helmet. The resulting prototype so impressed the riding schools that the future direction of the company was crystal clear from that time forward.

Recent honors bestowed on the company include: the "Best of the Best - Equine Trade Award," the "Best New Technical Product Award," and several "Best Safety Product" awards.

Moreover, Charles Owen & Company produces the helmets and body protection used by the United States Equestrian Federation and the Queen of England's household.

Currently, the company manufactures around 110,000 helmets a year, which still includes a small percentage of pith helmets worn by the Band of the Royal Marines and by police officers in the West Indies.