Archive for category: Archives

Kane 3PL, a third party logistics support and services company, will be moving into 36,336 square feet of the Enterchange – Building B at the Walthall Enterchange of I-95. Kane 3PL is part of the Kane Companies, providing total office solutions for the business community. Other Kane companies include Office Movers Inc., Office Archives, Kane Office Furniture, and Offices Installers, Inc.

Kane 3PL’s mission is to provide top quality third party logistic services to clientele. A number of services offered by Kane 3PL include:

Electronics Distribution Services

Fully Insured & Secure Warehouse Space
Trained Electronics Handling Specialist
Proven Warehouse Management System

Computer Equipment Preparation and Staging Support

Secure & Confidential Locations for Software Imaging
Special Use Environment Designed to your Specifications
Rapid Packaging, Deployment & Delivery to any Location World-Wide

Third Party Warehouse and Distribution Management

Provide Competent Outsourcing Services
Streamline Warehouse & Distribution Operations
Assume Management of Existing Facilities Operations
Design Customized Packing and Product Flow
Warehouse Space with Less Restrictive Agreements

Freight Forwarding Service

Provide Turnkey Service for International and Domestic Shipping
Truck Load and Less-Than-Load Brokerage Capabilities
Secure Competitive Rates and Superior Service Providers

Crane and Rigging Serivces

Access to All Major Union/Non-Union Crame Companies in the Mid-Atlantic; Crane Capacity 20 to 175 tons
Helicopers for Special Lifting Services
Managed, Trained, and Certified Rigging Personnel
Quarterly In-house Rigging Training and Certification
On-Site Monitoring of Safe Working Practices, In-house Safety Department

DuPont has announced that it will expand its Kevlar para-aramid fiber production facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia. A new production line, based on proprietary DuPont fiber technology, will be added at the Spruance site, increasing production capacity for DuPont Kevlar brand fiber by the end of 2002. Total investment for this expansion is expected to be $50 million.

“The Kevlar high-performance fiber market is seeing incredible growth as demand from our core customers continues to increase and new product applications are developed,” said Diane Gulyas, vice president and general manager – DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. “DuPont is committed to the Kevlar business as a key contributor to our sustainable growth mission, so we are taking every action we can to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

The company has successfully completed the first phase of expansion projects that began in early 2000 and increased production capacity for Kevlar fiber globally by approximately 15 percent.

The second expansion phase, announced today, will address a nearly two-year trend of growing demand for high-performance, high-strength para-aramid fibers – demand that has exceeded global manufacturing capabilities.

This capacity expansion is based on innovative technology developed and patented by DuPont and used in the company’s European operations for the past three years. As applied at Chesterfield, the technology will include design enhancements from the European operations that will provide unique process and product capabilities to support the continually growing needs of Kevlar customers.

“Adding Kevlar fiber capacity through enhanced technology is critical to maintaining our leadership position in the market for aramid products and technologies and reinforces our commitment to grow with our marketplace partners,” Gulyas said.

Kevlar is a global business serving a wide range of market applications delivering innovation, technology and solutions in environments where high-strength and lightweight performance are demanded. The business serves a global marketplace from offices in all major regions of the world and has manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland, Japan and the United States.

DuPont is a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people’s lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation. Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 93,000 employees.

The Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (PPTA), allowed the Virginia Department of Transportation to award a $236 million contract to APAC-Virginia, Inc. of Danville for the completion of Route 288. APAC-Virginia, Inc. will work in partnership with CH2MHill of Herndon, Virginia and Koch Performance Roads of Wichita, Kansas.

The project will build new segments of Route 288 in Powhatan and Goochland counties and complete four lanes of Route 288 from the Powhite Parkway (Route 76) in Chesterfield County to Interstate 64 in Goochland County, completing a planned western loop around Richmond. The project totals 17.5 miles and is planned for completion by late 2003.

A web page has been established to go into further details about the project including description of the James River Bridge, the 10 interchanges, FAQ page, maps and more. For more information visit www.Route288.com

Public vans with the Chesterfield LINK logo began rolling in the county June 4, providing citizens express routes to and from downtown Richmond, as well as local routes.

“Chesterfield LINK enhances the county’s opportunity for economic growth by linking people with jobs, schools, shopping and county services,” said Greater Richmond Transit Co. CEO Rollo Axton.

Chesterfield LINK, which will be operated by GRTC under a two-year pilot program, will feature 25-passenger vans, instead of the larger buses typically used by transit companies. The smaller vans don’t cause as much traffic congestion and can more easily negotiate roads and private parking areas, leading to less risk of damaging private property.

In addition to the LINK Express and Link Local routes, the service will deviate from its routes up to three quarters of a mile, provided customers have given 24-hour notice and the route schedule permits the detour. The vans are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and curb-to-curb service will be available for ADA eligible customers.

The local routes will operate Monday through Saturday, while the two express routes to Richmond will operate Monday through Friday.

“LINK opens new roads to jobs in downtown Richmond,” Axton said. “For those in the city, Chesterfield LINK connects people with shopping and leisure activities provided by popular merchants along the service routes in Chesterfield County.”

LINK Works Three Ways: Board at a scheduled, designated stop on the fixed routes. Use LINK Local to request a detoured pick-up at a location up to 3/4 mile from the scheduled service. Commuters must call 24 hours in advance, and appointments are made as the schedule permits. ADA-eligible (Americans with Disabilities Act) customers may request curb-to-curb service up to 3/4 mile from the scheduled service with 24-hours notice. Call 278-9111 for an appointment or 358-GRTC for more details. Take LINK Express non-stop to and from downtown Richmond. LINK Services Customer Handbook To obtain a LINK Services Customer Handbook containing guidelines for using LINK Local, LINK Express, and LINK reservation services, call 358-GRTC (4782) or 278-9111.

Local route summary

• Route 75 – Kmart at DuPont to John Tyler Community College Chester Campus via Coach Road, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Route 76 – Kmart at DuPont to Chesterfield Industrial Air Park via John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, and Wagner Building on Lucy Corr Blvd, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (Saturday – Route 76 ends at Chesterfield Government Complex. Does not service Wagner Building or the Air Park)
• Route 77 – Kmart at DuPont to Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. Service the Park at Lakewood apartment complex. Cloverleaf Mall and Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd., 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Route 78 – Cloverleaf Mall to Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. Travels via Twin Ridge Lane/Sheltering Arms, Gateway Center, The Arboretum, Moorefield Park and Southlake Blvd., 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Express route summary

• Route 80 – Express service into downtown Richmond from the Park & Ride at John Tyler Community College Chester Campus via Interstate 95, 5:55 a.m.-6:44 p.m. (No mid-day or Saturday service)
• Route 81 – Express service into downtown Richmond from the Park & Ride at Chesterfield Plaza (Lowe’s) on Koger Center Blvd. via Powhite Parkway, 6:40 a.m.-6:15 p.m. (No mid-day or Saturday service)
• Cloverleaf Mall and Kmart at DuPont on Jefferson Davis Highway are transfer points to connect with city buses serving the Richmond region.

“I’m anxious to give the new public van service a try,” said Renny Bush Humphrey, chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “I think Chesterfield County will benefit from the new service.

“It’s what we need,” she added. Humphrey said that it’s important that the new service not be judged by its first few days of operation. Because it’s a new service some adjustments may be needed, she explained.

“We’re very excited about this new van service being started here in Chesterfield County,” said County Administrator Lane B. Ramsey. “It will help many of our citizens get to jobs not only in Chesterfield County, but in the region as well. It also will be beneficial to students, seniors, employees at major employment centers, people going to medical appointments, physically challenged individuals and more.”

Ramsey added, “Chesterfield County’s partnership with GRTC on this service will bring a whole new dimension in public transportation to Chesterfield County. We view it as a significant enhancement in our service to our citizens, and we anticipate that it will be widely used.”

Register now for summer classes that begin in late May at John Tyler Community College. Featured are:

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Courses

• MAC 195 03A CNC Milling
  
  Monday-Thursday; June 4-7 only; 5:30-9:05 p.m. 1 credit; $63.62
  
  Intro to CNC milling for those with some machining experience.
  
  Instructor: John Morris.
• MAC 195 04A CNC Turning
  
  Monday-Thursday, June 11-14 only; 5:30-9:05 p.m. 1 credit; $63.62
  
  Intro to CNC turning for those with some machining experience.
  
  Instructor: John Morris

Manual Machining Courses

• MAC 195 01A NIMS Review and Preparation
  
  Wednesday evenings, 5:30-8:50 p.m.
  
  This gives experienced machinists the chance to prepare for and take up to 3
  NIMS exams.
  
  May 30-July 25; 2 credits; $102.24 tuition and fees; $28/exam plus $40 NIMS registration
  fee
  
  Instructor: Les Bell
• MAC 131 Machine Lab
  
  Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:30-9:05 p.m.
  
  Great course for beginners or apprentices who need more manual machine time.
  
  May 29-July 24; 2 credits; $102.21
  
  Instructor: Herman Agee

For more information and to register, contact us before May 23.

Lynn P. Wilson

Coordinator, High Performance Manufacturing Technology

Godwin Hall – Room G108F

John Tyler Community College

13101 Jefferson Davis Highway

Chester, Virginia 23831-5316

804/706-5072/FAX 804/796-4098

Doing business with the Commonwealth of Virginia is now easier than ever. The state has developed eVA, a web-based e-procurement process that changes the way the state does business with its vendors. The new purchasing system automates and streamlines government purchasing activities making business processes easier, better and faster. Vendors register once to do business with all state agencies and institutions. For more information visit www.eva.state.va.us today!

eVA was developed by the Virginia Department of General Services and was launched March 5, 2001. When fully implemented, Virginia expects to have approximately 100 agencies and universities and thousands of merchants conducting an estimated $1 billion in business a year through eVA.

Maruchan Virginia, Inc., the Japanese-owned ramen noodle manufacturer, hasannounced plans to expand their Chesterfield County facility at 8101 Whitepine Road in the County’s Airport Industrial Park. The company will puchase 30 acres adjacent to their current facility for the expansion. Once complete the new space will be used for warehousing; two production lines will then be added in the current warehouse space once it is vacated. It is estimated that 130 new employees will be hired as a result of the expansion. Projected investment in the project will approach $31 million.

“It is obvious from our growth record, since 1989, that our investment in Chesterfield County has been a success. Some of the reasons for this success are the cooperation and support that we have received from Chesterfield County, the State of Virginia, and all of their agencies.” said Kiyoshi Fukagawa, President, Maruchan Virginia Inc. He added, “Even though we will ship our product throughout the United States and Mexico, we are planning to expand here in Chesterfield County because we have developed solid business relationships and have benefited from the local business environment. I hope we can continue to take advantage of this prime location for the benefit of the county and Maruchan.”

The company manufactures 20 different flavors of Maruchan Ramen noodles and 22 flavors of Maruchan Instant Lunch. Though the company produces product for worldwide distribution, some of the product from this most recent expansion will be exported to Russia. Local customers include Ukrop’s Supermarkets, Hannaford Brothers, Rack & Sack, Food Lion, Walmart and Costco Warehouse.

Maruchan Virginia, Inc. is a subsidiary of Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd and located in Chesterfield in 1989. They purchased 23.5 acres in the Chesterfield Airport Industrial Park, constructed a 160,000 square feet manufacturing plant with two production lines and hired 50 employees. In 1992, the company was utilizing four production lines, had hired an additional 100 employees and completed the construction of an additional 100,000 square feet of warehouse space. By 1998 the company had again expanded to total space constructed in excess of 460,000 square feet and was employing nearly 300 people. With today’s announced expansion the plant will approach 590,000 square feet and employee nearly 430 people when completed.

The Richmond area ranks No. 33 among “America’s 50 Most Wired Cities,” according to the April issue of Yahoo/Internet Life.

The region scored 19.4 points out of a possible 40 points in the evaluation. San Jose, Calif. ranked No. 1 with 33.3 points and the Washington, D.C. area, in which the magazine included parts of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, ranked No. 4 with 28.1 points.

Measurements for each city or standard metropolitan area were based on (1) the number of residents using the Internet, (2) the degree of user sophistication, (3) the number of businesses on the Interact and (4) the mount of online content about a city and its government. City sizes also were factored in “to generate scores that reflect degree of wiredness,” the magazine said.

The magazine said the “Most Wired” list was prepared because “there are actually two digital divides. While the national debate has centered on individual haves and have-nots, the disparity among entire communities goes largely unnoticed.”

“Yahoo’s rating of Greater Richmond further underscores our progress toward becoming a technology hub on the East Coast,” said Gregory H. Wingfield, president of the Greater Richmond Partnership.

The only other Virginia metro area included in the Top 50 list was the Norfolk/Tidewater region (No. 48). Other cities on the list include Raleigh-Durham (No. 8), Atlanta (No. 16), Chicago (No. 21), Charlotte (No. 28), Houston (No. 31), Philadelphia (No. 35) and Baltimore (No. 46).

Chesterfield County has launched a new business-oriented web site and a revamped county government web site.

ChesterfieldBusiness.com is an all-new web site designed specifically for Chesterfield business users. The site contains a wide variety of information, resources, and links to help with business needs. It is broken up into three easy to navigate sections.

The Business Assistance section outlines programs, services, and incentives offered by the county and includes information for small and minority business owners.

The Business Resources section is great for researchers and consultants. It contains news, facts, and figures about the community as well as an online version of the Chesterfield Industrial Directory.

The Business Properties section is helpful to businesses and developers looking for industrial sites and buildings. It contains site selection tools that allow online access to a database of available properties and buildings. Also included in this section are transportation and development plans for Chesterfield.

Chesterfield.gov is the new user-friendly main county web site. It includes everything the old site offered, but the new design should make it easier for users to find specific information.

Web page areas for residents, businesses and tourists have links to specific information on topics such as taxes, leaf collection, licenses and permits, land development, events, attractions, maps and more. The 10 most requested pages for the past week are listed and a user can search the site with keywords.

The 30th Annual Basic Economic Development Course was held at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in March. The Department of Economic Development sent two staff members to attend, Barbara DelVillar and Tina Shreve.

The course was sponsored by: The Institute for Economic Development, Department of City and Regional Planning, The William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The American Economic Development Council (AEDC) also accredits the course.

The purpose of the course is to improve practitioner competence in economic development, provide basic learning opportunities for new professionals and provide a pathway for participation in advanced educational programs in the field.

M & R Constructors, industrial and mechanical contractors, is relocating to a new location. The company, which was located in the Chesterfield County Airport Industrial park, purchased a 6,380 square foot building at 9410 Burge Avenue. Total investment is estimated at $600,000. Five workers will be relocated to the new facility.

With a view toward promoting small and minority business development and encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in the county, the Department of Economic Development has enhanced the program that provides such businesses with a single point of contact for assistance with issues of concern to them.

Steven C. Wright will head up the new program as project manager. Wright comes to Chesterfield County from Ferguson Enterprises, having also worked with the Chesapeake Economic Development Department for several years. He is familiar with the area, having received his bachelor’s degree in urban studies and planning from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1991.

“The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors believed that while the county is active in assisting large industry, more could be done to help small and minority business,” Wright said. “Chesterfield County welcomes and wants to aid all businesses, but limited staff resources hampered the effort with small and minority businesses. With this new program, we will be better able to address the issues, from inception through development, that are important to this particular segment of our business community.”

The new program will facilitate workshops on topics such as business startups, business plan development and access to capital. Business counseling will be offered and the program will focus on small and minority businesses.

“In keeping with the overall economic development plan for the county,” said Jim Dunn, Economic Development director, “the services included in this program will lead to the creation and enhancement of small and minority businesses and increased employment opportunities.”

For more information, contact the Chesterfield County Department of Economic Development at 748-3963.