Founder Jack Hess and President Jerry Fan cut the ribbon to open Hessaire's new facility in Holly Pond.
HOLLY POND – On Thursday morning, representatives of Holly Pond, Cullman County Economic Development, the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, and state officials welcomed Hessaire Cooling Solutions to Holly Pond. Hessaire founder Jack Hess and current owner/president Jerry Fan cut the ribbon for the official opening of their new facility in the old Vanity Fair/Lee plant on U.S. Highway 278. Attendees included Alabama District 11 Rep. Randall Shedd, R- Fairview; District 12 Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope; District 4 Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman; and Cullman County Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker, along with current and former Holly Pond Mayors Bill Oliver and Herman Nail.
Today’s event recognized the company’s 20th anniversary in Cullman, as well.
According to Operations Manager Bill Kayfes, Hessaire started in 1996 as a manufacturer of fan blade assemblies (called "props") for cooling unit makers like Carrier, Trane and Lennox. In 2010 the company began building its own complete industrial ventilation fans largely, but not exclusively, for agricultural applications. Hessaire recently expanded its offerings yet again with its own line of freestanding evaporative cooling units. These product line expansions led to a need for larger facilities, leading the company to look outside its original industrial park plant in Cullman.
According to Administrations Manager Kim Pair, the decision to relocate to Holly Pond was based on several factors, including a good available facility, the existence of an untapped workforce in the community (due in part to the departure of Vanity Fair), and the helpfulness of Nail and Cullman Economic Development.
"Mayor Nail was a great ambassador for Holly Pond," she remarked.
At a ceremony before the ribbon cutting, President Jerry Fan honored company founder Jack Hess, Nail, and veteran company employees. After remarks by company representatives and local officials, attendees moved outside, where Fan and Hess cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the facility.
While the official opening ceremony was still in progress, the sounds of busy workers and machinery could already be heard coming from the manufacturing floor. Visitors were offered tours of the three areas of the manufacturing plant, where the 55-employee company is producing fan blades, complete fans and coolers.
Shedd took to Facebook today to express his feelings about today’s event. “Very thankful for Hessaire celebrating their 20th anniversary and their new location today in Holly Pond! The former Lee Plant was idle for a long time but now will be active with employees again thanks to Jerry Fan and his growing operations.
“Today, as I was given the opportunity to speak at this grand opening. I reflected on speaking at the Lee Company grand opening 31 years ago. I know Mayor Dane Estes and his town council members are smiling down from Heaven celebrating today's good news in Holly Pond just as we did 31 years ago.
“When I was campaigning for the legislature, I promised to get jobs in this empty building. Thank you, Jerry Fan, and Hessaire for fulfilling my campaign promise!”
Pair said that company staffing comes from various sources. They work closely with the Cullman area Alabama Career Center, and have partnered with the Cullman County Work Release program since its beginning. The company is also looking into possibilities of partnership with Cullman County Schools and Wallace State's welding program.
In separate interviews Kayfes, Pair, and recently-hired Administrative Assistant Jessica DuBose all remarked about the team atmosphere at Hessaire. Kayfes noted that even an operations manager can help clean up. DuBose said that teamwork was one of the best things she had experienced:
"The team that we have–the people really come together."
Pair shared, "We have a great team. It's a great place for collaboration. We don't get hung up on titles."
Anyone interested in employment at Hessaire can visit the office at the plant, or contact the Alabama Career Center or Onin Staffing in Cullman.
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