High-Tech Finds a Hometown: Henry County, Virginia

By Beth Alexsis

Transparent window blinds.
Scanners that see through walls.
Breast cancer detection tools.

What do these cutting-edge products share in common? They are all made in Henry County, Virginia.

At the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 40 minutes from Greensboro, NC, lies the manufacturing community of Martinsville, Virginia. NASCAR fans revel in the bumper battles at the historic Martinsville Speedway short-track. Furniture fanatics travel hundreds of miles to shop for hometown deals. And in rural Henry County, you will also discover several of the most technologically advanced products in the world.

CP Films is the world leader in developing and producing solar control, safety and security window films. By putting very precise high-tech coatings on film substrates, the properties of their film can include electrical conductivity, energy conservation, radiation prevention, and UV blocking. Coated films are utilized on touch panels and smart cards as well as a range of window films.

Ken Vickers, president and CEO of CP Films, has high praise for his company's rural work force. "CP Films is a global player because of the commitment and skills our employees exhibit in operating the very high-tech precision coatings equipment that we have. Ninety five percent of our work force is hired locally. We have over 500 employees. Each one is computer literate and trained in processes that are highly computerized and demand accuracy." Opening new markets, CP Films is developing even more futuristic products.

Axiom Technologies is Martinsville's newest high-tech citizen. But this company has a long history of manufacturing advanced engineered ceramic components for high-frequency devices used in homeland security, national defense and telecommunications. What makes a satellite turn? A missile hit its target? A cell phone ring 1000 miles away? Ask Eugene Belousof, President of Axiom Technologies, who also takes great pride in sharing his homeland security initiative. "We have developed a new technology - a handheld scanning radar - which will improve current security. At airports, you can identify ceramic guns or plastic explosives in a person's clothing. Or imagine a hostage situation where you need to look through a wall to determine where people are standing in a room."

Axiom is excited to bring its headquarters to Henry County, Virginia. As Belousof explained, "Our worldwide customers - Northrop-Grumman, Raytheon, Siemens, Nokia, Alcatel, Ericsson and many others - will all buy products made here in Henry County, Virginia."

Cerxon Microtechnologies uses local talent to provide thick film for an array of industries. Now producing gamma sensors for breast cancer detection, the company's new product is less invasive and more reliable because of enhanced resolution. And in the clean room next door, an F-16 component is manufactured which tells the pilot if the airplane he sees on his radar is "friend" or "foe."

Cerxon's president, Craig Rogers, sees a growing market in tracking aircraft. His newest acquisition, Cambridge Aero, has developed a black-box technology that serves as a very accurate flight recorder. The application can be used to document the routes of aircraft, and to help determine the cause of airplane crashes. As he continues to grow his company, Rogers likes what he finds in the Henry County work force. "We have been absolutely delighted with what we consider a unique work ethic and the high level of computer literacy here. Although the applications of our products are far different than most of our employees have previously had, they are not intimidated by our high tech applications and are very quick to grasp the complexities required by microelectronics."

Across the board, tech-intensive companies point to Henry County's dedicated and intelligent work force as a major selling point. In fact, the area has a history steeped in quality manufacturing. Generations of furniture artisans have long ensured that premium products are crafted there, destined for global sales. In the 1980s, Martinsville was referred to as the "Sweatshirt Capital of the World" for its high volume of textile exports. Over and over, Henry County has shown its capability to respond to demand for both quality and quantity.

However, with the growth in offshore production, Henry County unfortunately finds itself with a high unemployment rate. Benny Summerlin, Henry County Administrator, grew up in the area and is committed to attracting new jobs for the citizens. "This county has long been regarded as a premium manufacturing community. You can attribute that to a work force that, for a hundred years, has been taught that the consumer deserves both value and premium workmanship. And that's what our residents deliver. I think there are a number of companies who are looking for that level of work ethic."

Making good on Henry County's commitment to industrial revitalization, one of the leading economic developers in the country was hired to lead the Henry County Office of Commerce. Wayne Sterling, who has led the states of Virginia and South Carolina to prominence in the industry, is excited about the opportunities business will find in Henry County. "This area is full of qualified workers who want to learn new skills in new industries. They want to stay in this area, and they want to make products this town can be proud of. My job is to find companies that are interested in growing and being successful. I believe that you won't find another county that can put together a more creative location package than we can."

Several companies have already experienced Henry County's aggressive approach to recruitment. By the end of 2003, Knauss Snack Foods will also be sporting a "Made in Henry County" label. Troy Knauss, President of Knauss Foods, is a firm believer that his company will be successful here. "I knew that Henry County worked hard, very hard, to win this project. And when I came to Martinsville to announce our positive decision, I was overwhelmed by the local support - everybody wanted to learn about our business, know how they could help us, or where they could apply for one of our jobs. It was immediately apparent that we had made the right decision. This community is where our future growth will occur."