Greenway beautification project included in company’s thanks to community
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A cornerstone of the regional business community is celebrating its centennial anniversary with a beautification project for the Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway.
Cleveland-based Manufacturers Chemicals, a division of Synalloy Corporation, is a producer of lubricants, surfactants, defoamers, reaction intermediaries and sulfated fats and oils. The company was established in 1919 — a year when Woodrow Wilson was president, the Grand Canyon was first designated as a National Park, and the first rotary-dial telephones were installed on the East Coast.
Today, Manufacturers Chemicals generates approximately $45 million in annual revenues and has 60 employees. The company’s products are used in a number of household items, including paper, carpeting, textiles, paint and personal care products, as well as material applications that support the automotive, mining, agriculture and petroleum industries.
As part of its anniversary celebration, Manufacturers Chemicals welcomed industry partners, community dignitaries and regional representatives to a luncheon Thursday at the Cleveland Country Club. During the event, Greg Gibson, president of Synalloy Chemicals, and Craig Bram, president and CEO of Synalloy Corporation, announced a $25,000 donation to the Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway. Funds will be used for the construction of a stone gateway at the Mohawk Trailhead of the 5.5-mile linear park.
“Not many companies make it to a 100-year milestone, and we’re grateful for the community support that has allowed us to do so,” Gibson says. “This contribution is our way of expressing our appreciation to the region by investing in a community resource that’s enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors to Bradley County.
“Many people ask what contributes to this kind of long-term success,” Gibson says. “It’s important to be adaptable and resilient, of course, but I think that a strong focus on positive relationships with customers, employees and the community is essential. Those key elements, combined with our commitment to provide a safe, family-focused working environment for our employees, are why we can celebrate this landmark occasion.”
As it enters a second century of business, Manufacturers Chemicals continues to invest in its capabilities. The company currently has two capital investment projects under way, one which will double its ability to produce flaked products for use in household, industrial, institutional and cosmetic markets, and a second that will increase hot oil reactor capacity.
“As we move forward, we’ll continue to cultivate positive relationships with customers, co-workers and the community,” Gibson says. “We have a number of business partners and employees who have worked with us for decades, and it’s proved to be a wise investment on all fronts. We’re very thankful for that.”
About Manufacturers Chemicals
Established in 1919, Manufacturers Chemicals operates a 120,000 square-foot, full-service chemical manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tennessee. The company manufactures lubricants, surfactants, defoamers, reaction intermediaries, and sulfated fats and oils for a variety of products and industries, including paper, carpet and textiles, industrial chemicals, metals and mining, agriculture, paint, latex additives, automotive, petroleum and personal care. The company was acquired by Synalloy Corporation in 1996 and continues to serve as a low-cost regional contract manufacturer for medium and large chemical companies.
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For more information, contact Greg Gibson,
president of Manufacturers Chemicals,
at (423) 476-6518.