Ken Harbaugh

Dabbs met Friday with Southern Sales & Marketing Group founder and owner Ken Harbaugh in Wadley.
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The mayor said Harbaugh and a group of company officials came to determine when they could get the factory up and running.

"They said they were happy to be here, and we're happy to have them," he said.

Ken Harbaugh, of Southern Sales & Marketing Group, Inc., states "I have known Steve Hayes and the Hayes family for many years.
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Posted By: Kenny: I just told my wife after the strike, I said "Just wait, now that they are going back to work, boeing will layoff!" I love being right.

Ken Harbaugh, of Southern Sales & Marketing Group, Inc., states "I have known Steve Hayes and the Hayes family for many years.

Southern Sales and Marketing Group Inc. owner and CEO Ken Harbaugh speaks Monday at the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the company's lawn and garden distribution and shipping facility located in the former Greenwood Mills liner plant off Rowesville Road. (Photo by RACHEL BAIR/T&D)
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"We are here to stay," Ken Harbaugh, SSMGI owner and CEO, told the roughly 50 local and state officials gathered for Monday's ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony."We are here to expand, create jobs and support the community."

Proximity to the Port of Charleston, interstates and rail were among the reasons cited for Orangeburg's attraction, said Harbaugh.
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Hearkening to the company's motto and theme, Show Me, Harbaugh said that is just what Southern Patio intends to do for its newest neighbors.

"We will show you what we can do, ... show you that we are here, show you that we are serious and show that we are here to stay," Harbaugh said."We will put money where our mouth is, ... and we will do it right."

Harbaugh related how at the company has grown since its inception when it was the "last dog in the race" to a global leader in the manufacture of fiberglass and foam planters for some of the leading retailers including Wal-mart, Lowes, Home Depot and Kroger.

Not only producing a successful product, Harbaugh said Southern Patio prides itself on providing its customers with the "best value in the world" at costs well below those found from other outdoor lawn manufacturers.

"There is nothing lucky about Ken Harbaugh and Southern Patio being in this facility," Johnson said, playing off the Saint Patrick's Day aura of leprechauns and hidden pots of gold.
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On behalf of the county, Rickenbacker and Johnson presented Harbaugh a hanging rug displaying the historical places of Orangeburg County, the Community of Character flag and the Community of Character's publication, "Porch Reflections of Orangeburg County."
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"Is that our furniture on there?," Harbaugh asked, referring to the cover of the book.

Rowesville was chosen because the city is close to ports in Charleston and Savannah, Ga., said Ken Harbaugh, owner and chief executive of Southern Sales and Marketing Group.

The company plans to build more buildings and could eventually employ as many as 1,000 workers, Harbaugh said.

Southern Patio sells lawn and garden furniture through major retailers in the United States.

Information from: The Times & Democrat

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Ken Harbaugh, SSMGI owner and chief executive officer, said the search for a location with the best people and an available work force ceased when the company settled on Orangeburg.

"We have always felt comfortable with the people we met," Harbaugh said, referring to the community leaders and in particular the Orangeburg County Development Commission staff.
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"All the issues have been and are being dealt with," Harbaugh said."The contamination ... has been well documented by DHEC.Monitoring wells are on site.There were 14 and now they are down to three.It is being monitored on a consistent basis."

With regard to renovation work, Harbaugh said the company has invested approximately $1 million -- in minor asbestos abatement, roofing maintenance and electric rewiring -- since the purchase of the building last year.

"We are very comfortable with the building," Harbaugh said."It has been certified by the best people.We have used the best of the best (in getting the facility in line with operational and safety standards.)"

Southern Patio is so comfortable with the building and its surroundings, Harbaugh said the firm continues to look toward expansion possibilities both in employment and land occupation.

Currently, the company employs 20 to 25 people, though Harbaugh said plans are in place to construct additional buildings that could see employment numbers reach the 1,000 range at its peak.

"The ports are important," Harbaugh said.The company imports 1,000 containers a year from the Orient.

The proximity of the distribution center to ports -- less than 100 miles from Charleston and Savannah -- was a key drawing card to the region, Harbaugh said.

Previously, the company's main distribution center was in Atlanta.

Railway service too was an attraction.

The company plans to construct an additional railroad spur -- two already join the building but will not be used, Harbaugh said.

A majority of Southern Patio's shipping will be done utilizing interstates with an estimated 900 truckloads traversing through the T&D Region on a yearly basis.

Rowesville was chosen because the city is close to ports in Charleston and Savannah, Ga., said Ken Harbaugh, owner and chief executive of Southern Sales and Marketing Group.

The company plans to build more buildings and could eventually employ as many as 1,000 workers, Harbaugh said.

Southern Patio sells lawn and garden furniture through major retailers in the United States.

Information from: The Times & Democrat