Champion Valves Inc.
wafercheck.com
Year founded: 2003
No. of employees: 14
Top official: Matthew Schneider, general manager
Company description: Manufacturing firm for heavy industrial sector valves
How has your company grown since its inception? “We started in a living room 20 years ago ... now operating in a 12,000-square-foot facility and $13M+ in annual revenue and growing.”
How has your product helped the region’s economic development? “Locally employed admin., sales, ops and warehouse personnel. Also vendor out services in ILM – machining, painting and other manufacturing items.”
What current challenges are you facing? “Looking to upgrade facility, but area property is too expensive for manufacturing opportunities unless we move south across the bridge. Need more opportunity in [Wilmington] proper.”
What are your future goals for the company? “Grow employee headcount and continue to onshore vendor services that do not exist in [Wilmington].”
Fathom Offshore
fathomoffshore.com
Year founded: 2012
No. of employees: 10
Top officials: Brandon Carter and Andy Holcomb, founders
Company description: “Fathom Offshore designs, manufactures and distributes a highly customized line of offshore and nearshore tackle and accessories that services the high-end recreational and trophy fishing industry,” according to the company’s nomination form.
What makes your firm stand out? “The company is unique in the industry in that it does not rely on foreign manufacturing but rather controls all elements of its manufacturing process including custom molds, raw materials and custom designs that are tested throughout the world. This high level of control has allowed the company to exceed many of its competitors for function and long-lasting tackle. Products are sold throughout the United States, South America and Europe.”
How was the company founded? “By two entrepreneurs who found their way to Wilmington based upon the community's unique access to the coast and diverse economy. Prior to starting the company formally, Andy and Brandon (founders) began manufacturing their own lures and tackle in their garages as a way to support their hobby (fishing). They innovated their own designs and high-quality materials because they were tired of buying cheap products on the market that simply could not hold up to the harsher conditions they were accustomed to off the shores of North Carolina.”
G-Code
tacticalholsters.com
Year founded: 1997
No. of employees: 70
Top official: Scott Evans, founder and CEO
Company description: The company supplies military, law enforcement and tactical gear globally to various armed forces. Products include gun holsters, magazine carriers, plate carriers, battle belts, misc. pouches and zip bags, hardware and more, according to the company’s nomination form.
What else do you want people to know about your company? “We are 100% made in USA from raw materials to shipped product and lifetime guaranteed,” the nomination form stated. “We only have one location, and everything is made on-site. We are consistently used in big-box movies and video games. Recent ones would include Avatar 2, Bad Boys 4, Florida Man (filmed here), Tomorrow War, Fast and Furious 10, and the new global hit video game Call of Duty has our products being used in it. On top of that, the world’s elite soldiers ... use our gear on missions and work with us to innovate our product line.”
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