BAMBERG – A friendship forged on the USS Ticonderoga during World War II provided the impetus to bring the Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing Co. to Bamberg, a company celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007.

Phoenix, which produces specialty washers for concerns from NASA to NASCAR, began in New York City in 1907, manufacturing washers and gaskets for local companies including utilities and railroads.

Robert Hurst Sr. took over as executive vice president in 1960, enlarging the customer base and modernizing the production process.

The Phoenix Southern Washer & Gasket Co. was incorporated in Bamberg in 1966. Hurst chose Bamberg for reasons both business and personal. He had become close friends with Bamberg native Ziggy Hartzog during their military service together, and Bamberg had become a special place to Hurst.

Additionally, he saw it as an opportunity to improve his company’s competitive position, said his son, Bob Hurst Jr., who now serves as president of Phoenix.

The original plant consisted of 14,000 square feet and is now the main area where visitors enter. The plant itself has grown to more than 12,0000 square feet and provides custom components to thousands of original equipment manufacturers.

Production Manager Eddie Carson, who started his career with Phoenix in the maintenance department, related why he came to the company and why he has stayed.

“I’d always heard good things about Phoenix. I came in as the maintenance manager, moved to the tumbling and finishing department and then to the pressroom,” Carson said.

“It’s a family atmosphere. They care about their employees, and they challenge them. The only limits (at Phoenix) are those you put on yourself,” he added.

To celebrate the company’s 100 years in business, Phoenix held an anniversary celebration on March 17 at its plant on U.S. 301 South in Bamberg. Among those invited were the 150 top customers and major vendors, along with local residents who have helped over the years and, most importantly, Phoenix employees.

Hurst noted that the company’s 100th anniversary commemorates “an incredible number. It encompasses two world wars, a depression and 18 presidents.”

The company is private, and remains family-owned.

When asked why Phoenix has chosen to remain in the U.S. and particularly in Bamberg when so many manufacturing concerns are leaving for foreign borders, Hurst said, “This area works well for us. We have good employees who are good people who allow us to be competitive. The South’s been good to us.”

T&D Correspondent Phyllis A. Overstreet can be reached by e-mail at paoverstreet@bellsouth.net. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.