Versatech, Stevens Industries Recognized as Chamber Members of the Month

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce recognized Versatech LLC as May Chamber Member of the Month at an award ceremony at their new facility located at 1609 W Wernsing in Effingham and Stevens Industries as June Chamber Member of the Month at the First Friday Luncheon.

In just four short years, Versatech has gone from a start-up company with three partners to a growing full service engineering, manufacturing and supply chain partner with 40 employees.
Through the use of their engineering, machine design and technical expertise, Joe Forbes, Chad Hill and Mike Baker have found a niche that is providing exceptional growth in product and service lines to a diverse group of customers in several different industries throughout the United States.

(FROM LEFT: MIKE BAKER, JOE FORBES AND CHAD HILL OF VERSATECH AND CHAMBER PRESIDENT NORMA LANSING)

Versatech is committed to helping others through high school and college internships and support of Chamber programs and events such as the Scholarship Program, Annual Banquet, Lunch and Learns and other educational opportunities.  Joe Forbes also serves on the Chamber Board of Directors and as Vice President of the Workforce Development Division.

The Stevens Industries story is like many others that make Effingham County unique.  Starting out with one man making wood products in his father-in-law’s garage and growing into a full-line manufacturer of quality laminated products and providing employment for over 400 area residents.

For nearly 60 years, Stevens Industries, located in Teutopolis, has provided innovative engineering, design, and craftsmanship, along with expertise that leads to cost-effective solutions for their global customer base through management, engineering and design, manufacturing and installation.

(FROM LEFT: STEVENS INDUSTRIES' JOAN THIES, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER; J.R. ELDER, QUALITY MANAGER; RON OHNESORGE, SALES REPRESENTATIVE; JIM BUHNERKEMPE, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER; NORMA LANSING, CHAMBER PRESIDENT; TODD WEGMAN, PRESIDENT; MIKE GIBSON, V.P. OF SALES; RANDY THOELE, PLANT MANAGER; AND SARA JOHNSON, DESIGN TECHNICIAN)

Stevens Industries is one of the top 10 employers in Effingham County and is a 100% Employee-Owned company.

As a recipient of the Member of the Month award, businesses receive a framed certificate for permanent display and will be recognized at the Chamber’s 2014 Annual Banquet.  In addition, each recipient of the award is entitled to a link to its website from the Chamber’s home page, www.effinghamchamber.org