<b>Geismar launches&nbsp;</b><b>manufacturing facility</b>

[caption id="attachment_33703" align="aligncenter" width="800"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/geismar.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-33703"><img class="size-full wp-image-33703" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/geismar.jpg" alt="Cutting the celebratory ribbon at 134 Parker Drive are, from left, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce President Blakely Williams, Geismar North America President Alan Reynolds, Geismar President Raphael Geismar, Geismar CEO Alexandra Curiel, South Carolina Department of Commerce Senior Project Manager Philip Morgan, Beaufort County Councilman Mike Covert and Beaufort County Administrator Josh Gruber." width="800" height="533"></a> Cutting the celebratory ribbon at 134 Parker Drive are, from left, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce President Blakely Williams, Geismar North America President Alan Reynolds, Geismar President Raphael Geismar, Geismar CEO Alexandra Curiel, South Carolina Department of Commerce Senior Project Manager Philip Morgan, Beaufort County Councilman Mike Covert and Beaufort County Administrator Josh Gruber.[/caption]

Geismar, a manufacturer and distributor of railway maintenance equipment, launched its new operations in Beaufort County on Oct. 12.

The development is expected to bring $2.9 million of new capital investment and lead to the creation of 50 new jobs.

Serving the North American railroad industry for more than 40 years, Geismar offers a comprehensive range of tools for track works, including hand-held machinery and heavy equipment.&nbsp;

The company features an extensive product catalog that includes a variety of saws, drills, grinders, track motor cars, loaders and more.

Located at 134 Parker Drive in Beaufort, Geismar North America will be constructing specialty rail cars and new railway maintenance equipment.&nbsp;

"We are very excited to call Beaufort, South Carolina, our new North American headquarters and our first manufacturing facility in the U.S. After an extensive search and much research, we chose this location based on the state and local commitment to supporting a new manufacturing facility. The local workforce, proximity to major highways and ports, the ability to expand the facility as we grow and the pro-manufacturing attitude made the difference in our decision,” said Geismar North America President Alan Reynolds.

<b>group46 wins award&nbsp;</b><b>for Employer of the Year</b>

[caption id="attachment_33706" align="aligncenter" width="1852"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-20-at-2.54.57-PM.png" rel="attachment wp-att-33706"><img class="size-full wp-image-33706" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2017-10-20-at-2.54.57-PM.png" alt="Ryan Lockhart, president of group46, was named Employer of the Year by the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department. He is shown here with David Russell, who worked as a graphic designer at the company." width="1852" height="1372"></a> Ryan Lockhart, president of group46, was named Employer of the Year by the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department. He is shown here with David Russell, who worked as a graphic designer at the company.[/caption]

group46 took home a big award at the Vocational Rehabilitation Open House Luncheon on Oct. 11 in Beaufort.

group46 president, Ryan Lockhart, won Employer of the Year for his advocacy and partnership with the agency.&nbsp;

The event honored business partners who provided work opportunities for the “clients” of the Vocational Rehabilitation Department. About 20 business partners attended, along with “clients” and employers from around the area.

“group46 was proud to open a position for a vocational rehabilitation ‘client’ over the course of 120 days, facilitating training and making a new position available,” according to a release.

“I am extremely happy with the program. I originally saw it as a philanthropic opportunity for my company, but it has quickly turned into a fruitful result,” said Lockhart, founder of group46.

“I think the event was a great success,” said Stephanie Greene, Vocational Rehabilitation Business Development specialist. “I think all of our speakers did a fantastic job on showing their support to our agency and advocating for our&nbsp; ‘clients’ throughout the community.”&nbsp;

The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department serves people who are discouraged from working because of their disability. The SCVRD provides job placement, and group46 offered a graphic design position to a person who needed job-specific training.

Between Hampton and Beaufort counties, there are about 500 “clients” in the SCVRD program that can contribute to private companies.&nbsp;

For more information, contact Greene at sgreene@scvrd.net or 843-258-0163.

<b>Weichert recognized&nbsp;</b><b>at national event</b>

Weichert, Realtors-Coastal Properties, which has four offices in South Carolina including Beaufort, has been named to the Weichert Real Estate Affiliates Inc. Premier Client Group for 2017.&nbsp;

Only 29 out of the nearly 250 companies from the Weichert national franchise network were named to this group of real estate professionals, based on their contributions and performance in 2016.

The group was recognized at an event held Oct. 2-4 at the Hyatt Harborside Hotel in Boston.&nbsp;

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates Inc. President and COO Bill Scavone kicked off the event by thanking this year’s PCG members for their willingness to embrace and use Weichert management systems, marketing strategies and training programs to achieve tremendous business success last year.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of this group,” said Karen Ryan, co-owner of Weichert, Realtors-Coastal Properties, which has offices in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, Bluffton and Okatie.

For more information, contact Joe or Karen Ryan at 843-341-3700 or visit www.WeichertCP.com.