Small Business Maketing News Update - Green Cove Springs, Florida Companies Sweep Manufacturing Awards

The community of Green Cove Springs has become a “hot bed” for manufacturing in Northeast Florida. Just consider that the three “Manufacturer of the Year” awards, presented by the First Coast Manufacturers Association for the large, medium and small manufacturers, were all won by Green Cove Springs manufacturers.

Vac-Con, Inc., the manufacturer of truck mounted vacuum, water jet and vacuum excavation equipment for commercial and municipal environmental applications, won the award in the large manufacturer category.

Harris Lighting, a designer and manufacturer of energy efficient lighting systems, won the medium size category.

And Alternate Energy Technologies, the United States’ largest manufacturer of flat plate solar thermal collectors, took home the award for the small manufacturer category.

In addition to these companies, there are a variety of manufacturers, all within a few miles radius, including manufacturers such as Hanson Pipe, Pyramid Mouldings, and Mobro Marine.

There may be a reason that these manufacturers are clustered just south of the small town of Green Cove Springs, which is about 24 miles south of Jacksonville. The area offers advantages that many companies may overlook when locating their plant in Northeast Florida. Factors, such as plenty of available industrial land at competitive prices; a local port at the Green Cove site on the St. Johns River; access to rail; and favorable taxes; make this area attractive for plant expansions and relocations. Then there is the future construction of a beltway going right through this area that will connect I-10 and I-95.

So when thinking about manufacturing locations in Florida, don’t overlook Green Cove Springs – it’s a winner!

By the way, congratulations to the other manufacturing winners at the recent First Coast Manufacturers Association annual “Excellence in Manufacturing Awards” banquet:

Fleet Readiness Center – Founders Service Award
Peak 10 – Associate of the Year Award
Saft America – Environmental Award
Vistakon – Workforce Education Award AND Economic Impact Award

Fcmaweb.com

Small Business Marketing News Update - Jacksonville's WOKV Ranks #1 In Nation For Talk Radio

wokv.comAccording to the latest Arbitron Research, WOKV radio, a Cox station in Jacksonville, Florida, is the top rated news talk radio station in the nation.

The top 10 rankings are
#1 Jacksonville
#2 Cincinnati
#3 Atlanta
#4 Milwaukee
#5 Salt Lake City
#6 Columbus, Ohio
#7 Austin
#8 Seattle
#9 Cleveland
#10 Sacramento

Depending on the demographics an advertiser wants to reach, WOKV could be one of the best targeted radio buys in 2012 in Jacksonville this year. Northeast Florida is a politically conservative, business town that follows local and national political news. With the presidential election, the Florida Senate race, and local legislative races (after redrawn districts), WOKV will command very strong numbers.

That being said, it doesn’t mean advertisers have to be selling products or services related to politics. It means that WOKV can deliver an audience with demographics that include a $100,000 + income; professional/management; college graduates; and strong with men 25-45.

wokv.com

Small Business Marketing News Update - 121 Financial Credit Union's Aggressive Expansion Worth Watching

121 Financial Credit Union officially opens its newest location, the Arlington branch, at 9730 Hutchinson Park Drive, near the corner of Monument Road and Tredinick Parkway near Kendall Town Center, in Jacksonville on January 18.

121 Financial’s CEO William Braddock reports that this will be their eighth branch in the Northeast Florida market, in addition to their on-site branch at Swisher International.

Currently the credit union has $421.6 million in assets and has more than 36,000 members. The credit union has been on an aggressive growth path since it changed is charter from only serving the telecommunications industry to opening itself to the general public who reside in Northeast Florida.

There are plans on the books for additional future branch locations and additional banking services for individuals and business accounts.

121 Financial Credit Union is growing and worth watching.

121fcu.org

Small Business Marketing Update - Jacksonville's Goodrich Corp., Engineered Polymer Products, Wins State Manufacturer Of The Year

Congratulations to the Goodrich Corporation, Engineered Polymer Products, Jacksonville plant for winning this year’s Manufacturer of the Year award for a manufacturer employing between 61 to 125 employees by the Manufacturers Association of Florida.

The award was made during the annual Manufacturers’ Summit and Global Marketplace in Orlando.

Judging was based on leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement; analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; and process management.

The Goodrich Jacksonville facility designs, tests and manufactures composite structures that are installed in ships, submarines and aircraft.

Other area First Coast Manufacturers Association members who were nominated for the state awards include Anheuser-Busch, InBev, Inc.; BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards, Inc.; Florida Machine Works; and Georgia-Pacific Corporation.

www.goodrich.com

Small Business Marketing News Update - New Web Addresses, Effective Jan. 12, Could Be Boon Or Bomb For Northeast Florida Businesses

Effective January 12 of this year, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the contracted agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that oversees the Internet’s addressing system, will change the extensions of Internet addresses (.com, .org, .net).

This would mean that individuals or companies would be able to apply for any word or phrase (including brand names) to use as an extension (which are also known as generic top-level domains or gTLDs). For example, Winn Dixie could purchase .winndixie or the Florida Times Union could buy .jacksonville.

But if you are interested in running out to buy your own .smith or .jones, you better have a big checkbook because the application fee alone is $185,000.00.

Assuming that the nation’s top registry company, Network Solutions, which is now owned by Jacksonville’s Web.com, sells and maintains these new extensions, their income could benefit. But at this cost level, most likely the only local companies who afford the addresses are CSX, Fidelity National or the Stein Marts of the local business world.

There are risks and rewards concerning the introduction of the new addresses that are outlined in a recent Internet Retailer magazine article by Phil Lodico, managing partner and co-founder of FairWinds Partners, a brands consultancy company.

Lodico says the benefits would be that companies like retailers could control branded space online and bolster their digital presence. But on the flip side, this program could provide cyber squatters an opportunity to buy brand names before the brands do. Online customers could be misled into thinking they are buying from brands they want but are actually buying from someone who only owns the brand name as an extension. It could also open the door for cyber criminals for phishing or other malicious activities.

According to John Obrecht, editor of BtoB magazine, the American Advertising Federation, the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the Association of National Advertisers, the Direct Marketing Association, the Interactive Advertising Bureau, the National Retail Federation and the World Federation of Advertisers oppose the new gTLDs.

He reports that these groups believe that the benefits are minimal and the costs and risks to security are too high. They believe that cost will go beyond the $185,000 fee because it doesn’t include the cost of monitoring and defending the gTLDs.

These associations are actively lobbying the Commerce Department to withdraw this program. But time is running out. Stay tuned.

Small Business Marketing News Update - Auto Salvage Industry Hit By Lack Of Rain And Clunkers

With the lack of rain and the implementation of the Cash-for-Clunkers program, inventory for the auto salvage industry is down substantially, according to Bob Eubanks, president and owner of Rusty Acres, Inc., of one of the most successful auto reclamation centers in Florida.

Eubanks, whose business serves the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia markets, says the industry has been hit by two major issues. First, the federal government’s Cash-for-Clunkers program diminished a natural and large source (over 690,000 running vehicles) of late model vehicles that would normally be picked and sold as salvage. “The clunkers were taken off the market and the engines were filled with a substance like cement, “ Eubanks explained. “So each vehicle was worthless as far as salvage.”

Another side effect of removing the clunkers is the shortage of used vehicles at auto dealerships. With the economy as sluggish as it is, used vehicles are more popular than ever. But with the shortage, the price of used cars has increased, defeating the main motivation for people buying used.

The second hit to the industry has been the lack of rain, not only in North Florida but also around the South. “If it doesn’t rain, you don’t have as many auto accidents,” Eubanks said. “Not that wrecks are good, but it does help supply the salvage industry.”

Rain was minimal in North Florida and South Georgia during the first half of the year, which affected the local market. But Eubanks’ operation utilizes a national network system, where he can locate and deliver parts anywhere throughout the country, including the Southeast. So with a major drought in Texas, his business was also affected by the lack of rain in that market.

“We have been doing a very brisk business in our industry, even during the recession,” Eubanks explained. “But we would be doing even better if we had the inventory.”

In addition to owning Rusty Acres, Eubanks is also the past president of the Florida Auto Dismantlers And Recyclers Association (FADRA).

Raafordparts.com

Small Business Marketing Update - While Big Banks Seek New Fees, 121 Financial Credit Union Eliminates Charges

Due to its financial strength and its commitment to its members to provide banking services at the lowest possible costs, 121 Financial Credit Union has eliminated its $5 monthly maintenance fee for member accounts, effective November 1, 2011, announced William Braddock, CEO of 121 Financial Credit Union.

“To our knowledge, we are now the only financial institution in the Northeast Florida market with absolutely no maintenance fee,” reported Braddock.

Sending a message that 121 Financial is a member/consumer advocate institution that is less concerned about generating profits than its banking competitors, particularly the big banks, 121 management is seeking ways to eliminate members’ banking expenses.

“Maintenance fees in financial institutions are generally charged on small dollar account relationships to “level the playing field” for those who use (or only qualify for) very limited services,” Braddock explained. “In other words, the Credit Union is unable to generate revenue on these accounts, so the fee was imposed as a matter of fairness to those who use more of the Credit Union’s services. For that reason, our maintenance fee was originally established nearly a decade ago.

“But in reviewing the current environment where institutions have been adding fees, such as $5 per month debit card fees, and then having to back down due to customer anger, we felt we needed to be proactive. Our goal is to always pass on savings to our members whenever and wherever possible,” Braddock said. “For example, we have never charged a fee on our debit card use. Our members are our “shareholders” and they reap the benefits. We answer to them not to stockholders who are just looking at the bottom line.”

121fcu.org