Goodwin Company Celebrates Expansion, Job Creation
Groundbreaking Commemorates New Facility Designed to Diversify Offerings and Create Jobs
(Micanopy, FL) – Goodwin Company, pioneers of River-Recovered® heart pine and cypress, proudly announce the groundbreaking of their new facility. The expansion is part of a partnership with Heritage Wood Finishing Company and will bring new jobs to the region.
“Goodwin Company has experienced steady growth and success here in Alachua County,” said Carol Goodwin, President of Goodwin Company. “We look forward to contributing to years of future success in this region.”
Goodwin Company is active in the effort to spur growth opportunities for the region’s manufacturing industry as a whole. The company has been a steady presence on the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Advanced Manufacturing Council, which has been instrumental in regional efforts to develop a manufacturing talent pipeline and advance policy decisions that support industry growth.
“We are elated to celebrate the growth of Goodwin Company and the job opportunities it will bring to the region,” said Susan Davenport, President/CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to supporting the future success of manufacturing companies like Goodwin Company here in Alachua County.”
Goodwin Company was the first reclaimed wood manufacturer to produce engineered flooring in the United States (at the time, all other domestic companies were importing it from overseas). Today, consumer demand for pre-finished and custom color floors continues to grow. As a result, Goodwin has partnered with Heritage Wood Finish Company to develop proprietary, custom finishes specifically formulated for resinous River-Recovered® wood. The new facility will enable Goodwin to offer a variety of finish and color options, while providing acclimatized storage for engineered and factory finished stock.
“Our customers spoke and we have responded,” said Goodwin. “‘Install Ready’ flooring is in high demand. However, pre-finishing River-Recovered® wood is a challenge because of its resinous nature. Our proprietary, specially formulated coatings – one of which is second in hardness only to diamonds – allows us to satisfy the needs of customers who do not want to finish their floor on site. So, whether someone would like a clear pre-finished floor, or a custom color, we are now able to deliver!”
According to Goodwin, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida (FSBDC at UNF) played an integral role in the expansion.
“We’ve been working with Goodwin Company over the course of several years to help identify new market opportunities,” explains Dr. Phillip Geist, MBA, CBCP, CGBP, Area Director for the FSBDC at UNF. “We conducted a financial analysis and developed strategic and business plans designed to diversify Goodwin’s offerings to meet customer demand. This, in turn, will create new jobs and further contribute to the economic vitality of the region.”
Goodwin is partnering with the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce to conduct the official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, December 9 at 10 a.m. at the Goodwin Company facility located at 106 SW 109th Place, Micanopy, FL 32667. Media is invited and encouraged to attend. For more information, please visit http://heartpine.com/rsvp/.
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About Goodwin Company
Founded in 1976, Goodwin Company is the building design industry’s trusted partner and preferred resource for fine antique reclaimed and River-Recovered® wood flooring. Goodwin has earned an indisputable reputation for using the strictest grading standards of any company in the marketplace. Additionally, Heritage Wood Finishing Company produces a line of superior finishing and color options formulated exclusively for Goodwin’s “install ready” flooring. Demand for rich, high quality flooring continues to flourish as esteemed architects, designers and builders specify Goodwin’s products for use in luxury residential homes, historical renovations and commercial projects including corporate office buildings, universities, libraries and high-end retail establishments. Prominent work includes: This Old House corporate offices, private residences of Bob Villa, Paul McCartney, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ted Turner, Weyland Art Gallery, Brownwood at The Villages, the Charnley-Norwood House, Naples Botanical Garden, University of Florida’s Dasburg House and the Texas Governor’s Mansion. For more information, visit www.heartpine.com.
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Gina R. Smith specializes in helping small businesses and agencies become more profitable through strategic planning, marketing, media relations and resource development.