IDB recognizes area industries during luncheon

Demopolis’ Industrial Development Board showed its appreciation to area industries for the vital role they play in the economy at an appreciation luncheon Thursday at Rooster Hall.

Honored at the event was long-time business and industry leader E.P. “Buddy” Griffith, who operated the family-owned Griffith Foods before selling his operation to Foster Farms in the 1990s. The City of Demopolis, at the IDB’s request, recently named the roads at the South Industrial Park after Griffith, in recognition of his contributions.

The area industry leaders also heard from H.C. Cecil of the Alabama Technology Network. Cecil said ATN offers a host of experts with practical experience who provide a variety of technology and best practice expertise to Alabama business and industry. “If you need a solution to that, whatever ‘that’ is, call us,” Cecil told the group. He said grants and other funding make ATN’s services highly affordable.

Cecil said ATN likes to work on “innovative engineering,” which includes problem solving and assisting industry grow and expand ideas. He demonstrated a new type of filter for residential heating and cooling systems as one example of how ATN helped an Alabama industry take an idea and turn it into a viable product.

ATN is part of the Alabama Community College System. Among the areas of expertise available through ATN are Lean Manufacturing, quality systems and engineering, industrial maintenance, information technology, human resources and organizational development, environmental safety and health, business services and strategic management, and engineering and technical services.