Savannah-based firm sold to Florida business
Westside Electric Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla., has bought Savannah Apparatus Repair Co., an electric motor repair facility at 103 Bamboo Lane, and says 15 new jobs will be created in Savannah.
Westside officials said they plan to increase employment in Savannah to 27 people over the next five years and double the size of the current 15,000-square-foot facility.
Savannah Apparatus founder Gus Camacho will retire with completion of the sale.
“We will pick up where Savannah Apparatus left off,” said Bruce Reschke, vice president of Westside Electric’s Motor Repair Division. “The short two-hour drive between facilities enables the sharing of the unique and special equipment both now have and increases each shop’s capabilities drastically. Savannah will now be able to serve customers formerly not within its parameters.”
Westside employs 70 people and has annual sales of more than $12 million. Industry certifications for Westside include SKF Certification and Explosion Proof Certification.
Kroger to create 120 jobs in Clayton County
The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, will relocate to a new distribution center in Forest Park, create 120 new jobs and invest more than $175 million over the next five years, Gov. Nathan Deal announced Thursday.
Deal cited Georgia as an ideal location for Kroger to establish a distribution facility with the state’s interconnected highway and railway system and low cost of doing business.
Kroger will open its distribution center with nearly 1 million square feet on the nearly 1 million acre Fort Gillem property, a former U.S. Army base. It will service existing operations in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The new jobs will include warehouse, security, transportation management and other maintenance positions.
Business college to sponsor group’s one-year anniversary
The Georgia Southern University College of Business will sponsor the one-year anniversary of LaunchSAVANNAH, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce’s council for emerging professionals from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Charles H. Morris Center.
LaunchSAVANNAH was established in June 2013 to host educational, networking and philanthropic events throughout the Savannah area.
“We are excited to continue to be a part of an organization that allows young professionals to develop and grow into community leaders,” said Allen Amason, dean of the College of Business. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to Savannah through partnerships with businesses and the community.”
The celebration will feature live music, appetizers and beverages. Admission is $10. To register, contact Drew Hunt at 912-644-6422 or launchsavannah@savannahchamber.com.