In addition to moving heavy equipment, Clarkson provides electrical, mechanical and fabrication services. Take a look at a selection of Clarkson projects that are in progress or have recently been completed:

• Clarkson is installing a new filter housing for an international automotive bearings supplier.

• Clarkson is providing mechanical and electrical services for a seal soak tank enclosure for a manufacturer of automotive braking components.

• Clarkson is fabricating hydrogen fuel canopies for an automotive OEM.

•  Clarkson recently completed a piping project by fabricating a 12” x 12” x 16” wye fitting and a series of 90-degree elbows with removable backs for a recycler of raw materials.

• Clarkson recently added an addressable monitor module for a food manufacturer.

At Clarkson Industrial we are constantly learning on how to better serve our customers and are extremely grateful for every piece of business awarded to us. From millwright and rigging to optical alignment and electrical installation, if we can be of service to you, contact us today.

With a sharp reduction in U.S. industrial vacancies, real estate experts are predicting steady to slight increases in rents. Finding cost-effective storage space may be easier than you think.

While Clarkson Industrial is known as the specialized equipment mover for the Southeast, the company based in Spartanburg, S.C., has 63,000 square feet of inside temporary or long-term warehousing space. There’s also additional storage space in Clarkson’s four-acre industrial yard.

Clarkson offers a variety of storage options.

“Let’s say you are building something anywhere in the Southeast, but the facility is not 100% ready,” said Ron Kountz, vice president of sales at Clarkson Industrial Inc. “You’ve already cut a PO (purchase order) for some new equipment, but your facility isn’t ready for it. We can store it here.”

Right off of Interstate 85, Clarkson Industrial is about an hour’s drive from Charlotte, N.C., and three hours from Atlanta.

According to CoStar Group, a commercial real estate research firm, market recovery has been led by the office and warehouse sectors. Industrial vacancies fell to 9.4% nationally in the first quarter, and nearly all the top warehouse markets achieved occupancy gains compared to the same period a year ago. For a more comprehensive report, visit MarketWatch.

Clarkson’s warehouse space is in the same building and adjacent to its 30,000-square-foot specialty fabrication shop. From cutting, shearing, forming, rolling, welding or painting, Clarkson can handle all jobs big and small.

“We fabricated, right here, a 45,000-pound box girder that was 33 feet in the air,” Kountz said. “It’s all part of being a turnkey industrial contractor. We can do electrical, mechanical and fabrication.”

Do you have a project?

Clarkson Industrial Contractors provides heavy rigging and millwright, electrical, mechanical, piping, metal fabrication, construction, plant relocation and heavy hauling and shipping services throughout the Southeast and Midwest. Contact us today.

Across the country Workers Memorial Day will be observed on April 28, a day of remembrance of those who became disabled, injured or lost their lives on the job. For those of us in manufacturing, we understand the magnitude of proper job safety, from company policy to equipment to training.

In 2010, there were 4,574 deaths on the job nationally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Forty years ago that figure was 14,000 deaths. Manufacturers have made significant progress in reducing job-related injuries and death.

The lessons learned at work, however, can also protect you off-the-job.

We recently stumbled upon this powerful video message from Tony Crow. For more than 20 years Crow followed safety protocol at work. He wore a hard hat, safety glasses and hearing protection at his job at a Texas power plant.

While he wore safety glasses “religiously” at work, he never thought to wear eye protection while hunting. In the blink of an eye, he was blinded in hunting accident.

When the doctor was asked if safety goggles would have made a difference, Crow said, “Without hesitation, he said, it would have.”

Crow is director of INJAM, a nonprofit organization. He gives speeches all across the country on job and gun safety. INJAM stands for, “It’s not just about me.”

“It’s not just about me,” he said about his accident. “It affected my family, my friends, my coworkers – everyone.”

As we head into Workers Memorial Day, let us remember those who were injured and lost on the job, and focus on educating and installing safer practices in the workplace.

At Clarkson Industrial, safety is a big part of our culture. Our Safety Manager Lee Wilson gives seminars and talks on workplace safety and OSHA regulations.

When Bobby Hitt became South Carolina’s Secretary of Commerce in January 2011, he promised to deliver “wealth-creating” manufacturing jobs. In his first 15 months on the job, South Carolina has landed eight manufacturing projects that will create about 11,000 jobs.

“Manufacturing is vital to the economic wellbeing of South Carolina,” said Ron Kountz, vice president of sales at Clarkson Industrial Inc. “Having skilled and innovative workers and the ability to create high-tech products is what makes our state so attractive.”

Bobby Hitt

Those eight projects, which include companies such as BMW Manufacturing Co., First Quality Tissue and ZF Group, do not include the recent announcements made over the past two weeks.

On April 10, Michelin North America Inc. announced it plans to invest $750 million in a new plant in Anderson County and expand a facility in Lexington County. The plans are in response to the company growth in the Earthmover tire business.

Since then, Duke Sandwich Productions in Anderson County, Grace Plastics Inc. in Greenville County and Diversified Plastics Inc. in Dillon County have also announced new facilities or plant expansions.

Southern Business & Development magazine recently ran a story about the history of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, highlighting the state’s recent economic development achievements.

The article states, “There’s a lot to like about South Carolina these days,” citing a variety of tax breaks, including “no sales tax on manufacturing equipment, industrial power or materials for a finished product.” To read more, click here.

“South Carolina is our home, and we’re so thrilled to read a story with the headline ‘The Palmetto is Back,’ ” Kountz said. “The tax breaks on equipment gives South Carolina a competitive edge when recruiting industry to the state.”

At Clarkson Industrial we are constantly learning on how to better serve our customers and are extremely grateful for every piece of business awarded to us. From millwright and rigging to optical alignment and electrical installation, if we can be of service to you, contact us today.

With more than 192,000 vehicles exported from its South Carolina plant in 2011, BMW Manufacturing Co. is now the leading U.S. automotive exporter in the nation. Toss in Michelin NA and Bridgestone Americas Inc., and the Palmetto State is also the #1 exporter of tires.

We’re just getting started.

BMW announced that the export value of its passenger vehicles through the Port of Charleston in 2011 totaled $7.4 billion. According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, this accomplishment represents a 68% increase over BMW’s 2010 value.

The company currently produces more than 1,000 vehicles each day and is the exclusive exporter of passenger vehicles through the Port of Charleston to more than 130 global markets. In January, the plant announced that its volume would increase to 300,000 for 2012, and they would increase their workforce by 300 new hires.

“With their state-of-the-art facility and their 7,000-plus member team, BMW has established a foundation for success not only in the U.S. but internationally as well,” said Ron Kountz, vice president of sales at Clarkson Industrial Inc.

Located 13 miles from BMW’s plant in Greer, Clarkson has assisted the automaker, and a variety of automotive suppliers in the area, with their millwright, rigging, electrical and mechanical contracting services.

“With $5.2 billion in investment since 1992, we are so proud and thankful for the impact BMW has had on companies like us and the automotive suppliers we serve,” Kountz said.

Meanwhile, South Carolina ranked first among U.S. states in tire exports, holding nearly 30% of the share of U.S. made exported tires.

“South Carolina is poised to become the number one tire producing state in the U.S. and the tires that we make here are exported all over the world,” said Pete Selleck, chairman and president of Michelin NA in Greenville, in a press release.

As Michelin continues to invest in South Carolina, so are Bridgestone and Continental.

Bridgestone Americas, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp., is constructing a new 1.5 million-square-foot off-road radial tire manufacturing facility in Aiken County. The company is also adding a 474,000-square-foot expansion of the existing passenger and light truck plant.

Continental Tire the Americas LLC is building a new tire manufacturing plant in Sumter County. The $500 million investment is expected to generate 1,700 new jobs in South Carolina over the next 10 years.

“These investments are real game-changers,” Kountz said. “Manufacturing is very much alive and well in South Carolina.”

Got a project? When it comes to millwright, rigging, mechanical and electrical work, nobody has more experience than Clarkson. Contact us today.

As politicians talk about bringing manufacturing back to America, there’s pretty compelling evidence that it never left, according to economist Bruce Yandle. In his latest economic analysis published by the Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University, Yandle projects “ho-hum” growth ahead, and he dusts off the old Misery Index.

“Using a healthcare analogy, the U.S. economy is out of intensive care,” Yandle said. “Better than that, the economy is walking the halls, gathering strength, and lifting heavier weights than before the great illness, or Great Recession.

“When the level of GDP exceeds that of the previous peak, we say the economy is in a growth phase, and that is where we are,” he continued. “But we are not comfortable saying that when unemployment is still above 8 percent.”

The U.S. hasn’t lost manufacturing muscle, but manufacturing muscle is growing worldwide, he said. He also points out that manufacturing employment peaked in 1979, but advances in machinery have increased productivity.

Companies that do not invest in their plants never fully recover.

“During a slowdown, the old obsolete plants get closed first, and never reopen,” Yandle said. “The more modern plants receive new capital, which uses less labor for the same amount of output. Productivity rises during recessions and then flattens out during recoveries.”

According to Yandle, by 2042 world production of goods and services will be twice as large as the sum of all past GDP generated on the globe.

“We can be a part of this great boom by investing in global enterprises, producing high tech products and services required for the booming world, and providing educational resources for the growing population of knowledge workers who will be the global builders,” he added.

In his economic analysis, Yandle discussed the Misery Index developed by economist Arthur Okun in the 1970s. Addressing unemployment and inflation rates, the index peaked during the Jimmy Carter administration at 21.9. The index fell rapidly, but started to climb in the late 1990s.
The Misery Index now stands at 11.4.

However, Yandle thinks there are new challenges that could be added to a new, expanded index. According to the latest census, there are now more than 9 million unattached family members age 20-24 back living at home. Also, the U.S. moving rate is now at the lowest since 1948.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Yandle’s economic assessment?

Contact us and tell us what you think. You can also view Yandle’s full report online.

Are you modernizing your facility?
An international leader, Clarkson Industrial is capable of handling everything from millwright and rigging to optical alignment and electrical installation. Contact us today.

By now, we’ve all heard of Jeremy Lin – the unknown Harvard grad who became a top playmaker for the New York Knicks. While the 23-year-old is now sidelined with a season-ending injury, we look back at what we’ve learned from him and how we can apply his work ethic in the workplace.

Jeremy Lin was the first player in Ivy League history to record 1,450 points, 450 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals. But that’s in the Ivy League, where only 42 players have ever appeared in an NBA game. The young Californian is also one of a handful of Asian Americans to play in the NBA.

As a result, the media has run wild with Lin-sanity. Just weeks ago news outlets were reporting how Harvard made the NCAA Tournament without Lin. This overshadowed the fact that the Crimson had not been to the big dance since 1946.

Despite the buzz surrounding Lin-sanity, there are lessons to be learned.

Eric Jackson, a business contributor to Forbes.com, cuts through the clutter and lists the “10 lessons Jeremy Lin can teach us before we go to work Monday.” Click here for the complete story.

Here is a quick snapshot of the 10 lessons:

1) Believe in yourself when no one else does.
2) Seize the opportunity when it comes up.
3) Your family will always be there for you, so be there for them.
4) Find the system that works for your style.
5) Don’t overlook talent that might exist around you today on your team.
6) People will love you for being an original, not trying to be someone else.
7) Stay humble.
8) When you make others around you look good, they will love you forever.
9) Never forget about the importance of luck or fate in life.
10) Work your butt off.

These are great reminders about how to conduct business, both internally and externally, and how to live our personal lives.

Now Lin is out for the season with a torn meniscus in his left knee. His decision to have surgery now reflects his hope that can return in time for, or at least during, the playoffs. It’s another example of his dedication and commitment to his team.

At Clarkson Industrial we are constantly learning on how to better serve our customers and are extremely grateful for every piece of business awarded to us. From millwright and rigging to optical alignment and electrical installation, if we can be of service to you, contact us today.

Jose Gonzalez is our Safety Matters winner for last week. We had a 15k forklift whose brakes had gone out. Jose tagged the lift out of service immediately. He put duct tape across the ignition, hung (2) signs on the lift identifying “No Brakes” and wrapped “danger” tape around the lift numerous times, blocking access to the cab. Congratulations to Jose for taking care of Clarkson associates by preventing a hazardous situation.

Do you need a safe contractor on your project?
An international leader, Clarkson Industrial is capable of handling everything from millwright and rigging to optical alignment and electrical installation. Contact us today.

Clarkson on time despite unexpected modification
In January, Clarkson Industrial worked with an automated process systems specialist on the installation of a box girder and crane frame for an international tire manufacturer. The supply and installation were critical for the project, and after an unexpected modification of the whole layout of the project, Clarkson remained exactly on time with the initial schedule.

Clarkson moves machinery from Canadian plant
Taking equipment from a plant outside of the country to a facility in the Southeast, Clarkson Industrial successfully integrated machinery for a textile supplier of reprocessed and raw fibers. Through the complicated merging of equipment in the company’s stateside plant, three Clarkson field employees have been retained on a time and material basis to pull off the project successfully.

Clarkson saves client from liability issues
An aeronautical industry customer was about to install CNC milling equipment themselves, but by doing so they would have voided the warranty on the machinery. As a licensed and bonded millwright and rigging company, Clarkson Industrial performed the work for the OEM, saving the customer from serious liability issues.

Clarkson installs age oven in Georgia
A supplier of extrusions and finished parts for the aerospace industry hired Clarkson Industrial to install a 105-foot long, 20-foot tall age oven at their plant in Georgia. Despite unanticipated needs outside the scope of the approved bid, Clarkson never allowed the end date to change – ensuring once again the project was on time, on task and on budget.

U.S. manufacturing profits have tripled since the bottom of the recession. Manufacturing technology orders were up 66.4% in 2011, and there are many factors contributing to this economic surge of activity.

“USMTO finishes its strongest year in over a decade as manufacturing leads the U.S. recovery into 2012,” said Douglas K. Woods, president of the Association for Manufacturing Technology. “Manufacturers and technology providers alike will operate from a healthy order base in 2012 providing the confidence to invest and foster innovation.”

The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders report, compiled by AMT and the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association, said December manufacturing technology orders totaled $519.98 million, up from 12.2% from November, and up 12.7% when compared to December 2010. Year-to-date, orders are up 66.4% compared with 2010.

The Commerce Department also reported a strong year in U.S. factory orders. For 2011, total orders were up 12.1% compared to the previous year. Core capital goods, such as computers or heavy machinery, rose to a record $68.9 billion.

While the surge in purchasing is linked to tax breaks that expired in 2011, many economists believe the spending will continue as plants seek to modernize their operations. Digital manufacturing is delivering faster delivery times and better quality control issues titling the advantage back to America.

Machinery moves industry, and Clarkson Industrial moves machinery. We are proud of the success our clients experienced in 2011 and we look forward to a bright future in 2012.

Got a project? When it comes to millwright, rigging, mechanical and electrical work, nobody has more experience than Clarkson. Contact us today.