By Staff
Flanders Filters Corp. News Release
Hundreds of employees and invited guests celebrated 60 years of progress at the Flanders Filters manufacturing plant and corporate offices in Washington on Thursday.
The celebration also offered a chance to recognize longtime employees and the company’s success.
“We’ve withstood the winds of economic change,” said Harry Smith, CEO and chairman of the board, in a lunchtime address.
“We’re on pace for $300 million in revenue this year. This quarter will produce record sales and profits. This is a big deal, and I’ve made a ton of friends over the years, many of you right here,” he said, referring to the employees gathered under the tent and eating barbecue.
John Oakley, president and chief financial officer, also acknowledged the efforts of staff in an interview with the Washington Daily News. “This is about the good work that they do. We’re successful because of them. This is a good opportunity to give back to those who work so hard. They deserve it,” he said.
“Flanders Corporation is one of the oldest and largest employers in the county” said Tom Thompson, director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Commission. “Under the leadership of Chairman Harry Smith, they’ve brought in an impressive number of highly skilled employees including engineers, computer programmers, welders and machinists. They are a very bright light in these dark economic times.”
Unlike most organizations struggling under recessionary pressures, the organization has thrived. Some of its success can be attributed to its work with the Mox Project at the Savannah River Nuclear Plant in Aiken, S.C. Flanders Filters produces huge, stainless-steel enclosures called “glove boxes” that are necessary to safely recycle spent nuclear fuel rods.
“We’ve made dramatic changes in how we go to market,” Smith said. “The management team we have in place has made great strides to get us where we are. We can expect 8 to 10 percent growth in coming years.”