Fujifilm expands product distribution operation in Greenwood
October 20, 2009
GREENWOOD, S.C., October 16, 2009 – Fujifilm today announced that it will be moving its regional distribution center for photographic products to its Greenwood, S.C. campus. Color photographic paper and photographic processing materials will begin shipping through Greenwood later this year and the transition is expected to be concluded by February, 2010.
“We have carefully planned this transition, and will be working closely with our customer service organization and the Greenwood distribution center staff to insure proper labeling, on-time shipping, and other customer requirements,” said, Shinji Kataoka, president, FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. “We intend to make this move a seamless one for Fujifilm’s customers.”
By shipping directly from Greenwood, the company will increase efficiencies and reduce warehousing and transportation costs. This expansion represents a 15% increase in materials handled in Greenwood, and it is anticipated to create up to 20 jobs at the facility by the completion date.
“Fujifilm has been an important part of the South Carolina business community for more than two decades, and this expansion further strengthens the company’s commitment to our state. South Carolina’s business-friendly climate and skilled workforce continue to attract investment from world-class companies, like Fujifilm, creating new job opportunities for South Carolinians. We congratulate Fujifilm on their continued growth in Greenwood and look forward to furthering our strong and mutually beneficial relationship with Fujifilm in the years ahead,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
Robbie Templeton, Greenwood County Council Chairman commented, “Fujifilm’s decision to move product distribution services to Greenwood County is another strong testament to our skilled workforce and business-friendly climate.” “Fujifilm has shown dedication and support to our community and we look forward to many more years of continued growth and success,” continued Templeton.
About FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.
FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc., began manufacturing operations in South Carolina in 1988. The Greenwood manufacturing complex is currently comprised of five high technology manufacturing plants, the Greenwood Research Laboratories, and the largest Fujifilm distribution center in the world. The 1,000 Associates employed at the 500-acre complex currently manufacture digital and conventional pre-sensitized plates, QuickSnap one-time-use recyclable cameras, and color photographic paper.
FUJIFILM Corporation brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, photofinishing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 15 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2008, employs more than 70,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2009, had global revenues of $24 billion. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.
Greenwood Genetic Center receives grant
October 12, 2009
C/O Index Journal
The National Human Genome Research Institute has awarded a grant in the amount of $860,000 to the Education Division of the Greenwood Genetic Center.
Funding will be over a two-year period with the project under the direction of Leta M. Tribble, director of education at the Center.
“These funds from the National Institutes of Health will allow us to enhance the on-campus and outreach educational activities of the Center, especially those that involve high school students and teachers,” said Roger Stevenson, director of the Greenwood Genetic Center.
Funds will be used to expand the Center’s Outreach Education programs. The project has two components:
- A Genetics Education Center, housed in an existing building on the GGC campus, will provide laboratory-based activities in human genetics and biotechnology for visiting classes.
- A Mobile Genetics Education Laboratory, a 40-foot bus designed and equipped as a science laboratory, to provide laboratory-based activities in human genetics and biotechnology. The Mobile Lab will focus on serving students and teachers in communities from which travel to the Center’s main campus is not practical.
One of the project’s key supporters, Ray Wilson, director of the Western Piedmont Education Consortium, states “If our students are to compete for jobs in the health care field and in technologies of the future, we must offer them experiences that will expose them to the technology and ideas used in the field today.”
According to Tribble, “This project is a natural extension of our long-standing education programs and will allow for expanded service to South Carolina’s students, teachers, and their communities. There is a need for strengthening genetic literacy as we deal with issues of ethics, technology, personal health care decisions, and future employability.”
Self Regional Healthcare breaks ground on cancer center
October 12, 2009
C/O Index Journal
Self Regional Healthcare broke ground on its 40,000-square-foot cancer center Thursday, October 8.
The event brought together elected officials, community leaders, hospital staff, doctors and patients, and marked the culmination of almost five years of planning.
The $23 million facility will dramatically increase hospital’s capacity to care for cancer patients. Currently, the oncology department has eight exam rooms and treats 60 patients each day, said Jim Pfeiffer, president and CEO of the hospital. The expansion will bring the department to 16 exam rooms, five chemotherapy beds and 22 treatment chairs. The number of cancer patients being treated at Self Regional is increasing.
“This is an important day in the future of healthcare in the Lakelands,” Pfeiffer said. “If you’ve ever had a family member or friend with cancer … I think you all know why we are here. We all want the very best care for our loved ones,” he said.
The cancer center will also consolidate three clinical areas — medical oncology, chemotherapy and radiation oncology — currently scattered throughout the hospital for the convenience of patients, Pfeiffer said.
The center will be part addition and part renovation to the existing building. It will also include a healing garden where patients will be able to take their treatments outside, 12,000-square-feet of new parking, and a special wig boutique for patients losing their hair as a result of their treatment.
Michelle Kennedy, a patient at Self who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year said the new cancer center will be a blessing to patients. Cancer patients experience hospitals in a different way, she said. They often spend prolonged periods of time there and have a variety of needs. Hospital visits are not passing occurrences, she said.
“Self has a solid foundation,” she said. “This center will arm an already caring, competent group of people to provide even better care. … We should already be proud of the resources Self provides and now we can rejoice as Self rises to a new level of care.”
Self Regional Healthcare Board of Trustees chairwoman Hazel Hughes said the process of getting the new facility off the ground has been an arduous one, filled with careful thought and planning and dedication to patient care.
“The decision to build a new cancer center for the people of this region did not happen overnight, nor did it happen in a matter of days, weeks or months,” she said. “As we break ground for this new facility we continue the tradition of excellence established by Mr. James Self when he established this hospital 60 years ago.”
The cancer center will be located on the ground floor, next to the hospital’s main entrance.
Freeman White, of Charlotte, served as the architecture firm for the project and Rogers Builders, also of Charlotte, will be handle construction.
The center is set for completion in 17 to 18 months in the spring of 2011.
SCRA affiliate merges with Greenwood incubator
October 7, 2009
C/O SCBIZ
Greenwood-based SC Bio has merged with the Advanced Technology Institute, an affiliate of the S.C. Research Authority, the organizations announced Monday.
The 22,000-square-foot SC Bio incubator in Greenwood will remain operational as a center for biotechnology, research and development.
“Combining the strengths of these two groups enables an integrated approach to further development of life sciences commercialization in South Carolina,” said Ambrose Schwallie, the current CEO of SC Bio.
Schwallie will serve as a vice president and a member of ATI’s senior management team.
SC Bio is a not-for-profit incubator that assists the development of life science companies in South Carolina. It works with research centers such as the Greenwood Genetic Center, the S.C. research universities, the Savannah River National Laboratory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hollings Marine Complex to commercialize promising technologies and support new company formations. SC Bio performs technology reviews, market evaluations and additional support activities for early stage companies that bring biotechnology into South Carolina’s economy.
SC Bio will now operate under ATI.
“SCRA believes that the pairing of SC Bio’s resources in biotechnology with ATI’s deep expertise in its core markets will accelerate bio-oriented, knowledge-based economic development outcomes to South Carolina companies,” said Bill Mahoney, chief executive of SCRA.
ATI is a private, nonprofit research corporation with principal operations in Charleston. The firm builds international consortia to develop and implement innovative solutions for manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, maritime, metals, energy and health care industries. For example, ATI recently earned a $99 million, five-year contract with the Office of Naval Research to develop and implement shipbuilding-related manufacturing technologies.
In addition, ATI was selected by The Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces as one of the 15 Top Small Workplaces in the United States this year.
“This merger is a logical next step that creates substantial value for customers and clients of both ATI and SC Bio,” said Rick Self, ATI president.
