Chamber of Commerce honors SP
companies with worldwide market

November 12, 2014
Santa Paula News

There was no better time to recognize cutting edge companies started by entrepreneurs than at the October 28 Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce  

There was no better time to recognize cutting edge companies started by entrepreneurs than at the October 28 Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce  

Innovation/Entrepreneurship Summit.

The event was held at the Limoneira Ranch Visitors Center, where more than 100 business leaders, elected officials and those hoping to improve Santa Paula’s economic future gathered for the summit.

Also attending were representatives of Santa Paula based businesses that were honored for their own innovation and the entrepreneurs that made them recognized internationally.

Chamber of Commerce Board President John Chamberlain said “Innovation and entrepreneurship are key to the economy,” and the companies being honored represent the place Santa Paula has in the world marketplace in the fields of high-tech manufacturing, machining and medical support. 

Abrisa Glass received the Manufacturing Excellence Award; a recognized global designer, manufacturer and supplier of custom glass solutions for a wide variety of industries. 

Chamberlain said, “Abrisa is dedicated to earning customer loyalty through the highest level of quality and reliability in the industry to maximize customer satisfaction and stakeholder value.” 

Maarten Oostendorp, CFO of Abrisa Technologies, accepted the award.

Chamberlain noted Jack Pitluk, the CFO of Applied Silicone is also a Chamber of Commerce board director doing double duty that day to accept the Creativity in the Market Place Award.

A global supplier of implantable silicone material for critical healthcare and medical devices, the company offers a complete line of high-purity silicones, including gels, adhesives, sheeting, elastomers, dispersions, and custom formulations. Chamberlain said Applied Silicone products are manufactured using the most stringent quality control that ensures the company remains at the forefront of the world marketplace.

Bendpak received the Reinvention/Repurposing Award; since 1965 the company - wholly owned and operated by Don Henthorn and then known as QMA - quickly gained a reputation as the premier manufacturer that specialized in precision machine work.

“Today,” said Chamberlain, “Bendpak is the world’s leading producer of lifting systems, pipe-benders and air compressors with a global commitment to ‘never settle’ for providing anything less than the best.” Bendpak Controller Russell Stoltz accepted the award.

Automotive Racing Products received the Velocity Award - Delivering a Steady Stream of New Products to the Market Place; in 1968 racing enthusiast Gary Holzapfel realized that many of his friends’ broken engines were caused by fastener failure and there were no commercially available studs and bolts up to the challenge. 

“Already experienced in manufacturing,” said Chamberlain, “Gary founded ARP,” literally in a backyard garage workshop, “which now carries virtually every fastener found in an engine and driveline... and they also own the famous Hozy’s Grill,” adjacent to ARP. Director of Sales Chris Rasky accepted the award for ARP.

Hely & Weber received the Global Reach Award; Jim Hely and Jim Weber, who have almost 80 years combined experience in the orthopedic and sports medicine industry, formed a company in 1992 that evolved from a local distributor to an international brace and support manufacturing and distribution corporation. The company proudly remains family-owned and operated. 

Weber, said Chamberlain, “Could not attend today, but,” like the other recipients noted it was an honor to be recognized and thanked the chamber.





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