BUSINESS BUZZ: Harmar Mobility chosen as finalist for manufacturing award

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·3 min read
An employee works at the Harmar Mobility plant at 1500 Independence Blvd., Suite 200, Sarasota. Harmar produces lifts for vehicles, stairs and platforms.
An employee works at the Harmar Mobility plant at 1500 Independence Blvd., Suite 200, Sarasota. Harmar produces lifts for vehicles, stairs and platforms.

• Harmar Mobility, a Sarasota manufacturer of mobility solutions, was recently recognized by FloridaMakes and the Sterling Council as a finalist for the 2022 Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Awards.

Of the 160 nominees, Harmar was one of 23 finalists selected to attend the 30th Annual Governor’s Sterling Awards Banquet on June 3, where the winner will be announced.

Each year, the Sterling Council and FloridaMakes collaborate on the SMBE awards to recognize high-performing manufacturers in Florida. During the judging process, Harmar, among many other manufacturers, underwent extensive evaluation, which included virtual site visits and interviews with managers and employees.

While the awards highlight exceptional companies based in Florida, they also provide opportunities to share manufacturing best practices for growth and improvement.

• The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association will host “Media-Con” on May 17, 8:30-11:30 a.m., at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, 3130 Fruitville Road, Sarasota.

Engage with media representatives through interactive panel discussions, pitch moments and booth visits.

Speakers will include these reporters, editors and producers: Lauren Walck, Bradenton Herald; Mark Gordon, Business Observer; Kimberly Kuizon, Fox 13 Tampa Bay; Allyson Henning, News Channel 8 WFLA; Scott Lawson, The Daily Sun and Venice Gondolier; Brian Ries, Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Cooper Levey-Baker, Sarasota Magazine; Wes Roberts, SRQ Media; Mercedes Soler, Solmart Media; Michael Miner and Jake Harvtigsen, WEDU PBS; and Cathy Carter, WUSF 89.7.

Tickets are $50 for FPRA members and $60 for guests. Register at https://cwcfpra.com/events.

• 84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, is recruiting for nearly 20 immediate openings at its location in Bradenton as the company’s business continues to expand nationwide.

Interested job seekers can interview for open positions at a hiring event May 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Bradenton store, 2800 15th St. E.

Those attending will participate in job interviews and learn more about 84 Lumber’s company culture. Some may receive a job offer on site.

Candidates interested in participating in the hiring event should register online at https://www.84lumber.com.

Kirk Bauer, left, and Shane Johnson.
Kirk Bauer, left, and Shane Johnson.

• Fawley Bryant Architecture, one of the fastest-growing full-service architecture firms on the Gulf Coast, has launched a sports division.

With construction value equating to more than $500 million in sports-related work since 2017, FBA formed the new division to serve its roster of notable clients, while strategically expanding the market segment for the company.

Headquartered in Sarasota, the 22-person firm has created a significant impact for many local and national sports organizations. Recently completed work includes projects for seven Major League Baseball teams, the Professional Bull Riding Association in Pueblo, Colorado, master planning for IMG Academy in Bradenton, and Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York.

The team is currently working with the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins on the renovation and expansion of their spring training home in Jupiter.

Leading the new division is Kirk Bauer, promoted to director of sports. With over ten years at FBA, Bauer has led many significant jobs for the team, including CoolToday Park, in North Port, for the Atlanta Braves, and IMG Academy’s Gatorade Sports Science Institute, in Bradenton.

To support Bauer, FBA recently hired Shane Johnson as senior project manager for the sports division.

Greg and Kerry Baker, owners of Ultra Home Watch.
Greg and Kerry Baker, owners of Ultra Home Watch.

Ultra Home Watch, of North Port, has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for the fifth year.

The NHWA was formed in 2009 to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for home watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada.

Owner Greg Baker is originally from Michigan; he moved to the Sarasota/Bradenton area in 1973.

He and his wife, Kerry, own a successful aluminum business and have more than 40 years of experience working in and around manufactured home parks in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

Ultra Home Watch serves South Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte and portions of Charlotte County.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Harmar Mobility recognized for excellence, 84 Lumber job fair