At their annual meeting held Tuesday evening, the International Business Council of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce presented Komatsu’s Chattanooga manufacturing operation and Mad Priest Coffee Roasters with the 2018 International Business Awards.
These awards are presented to celebrate the contributions of businesses with an international focus in the greater Chattanooga area. Finalists for the awards were HomeServe North America, BASF Corporation and Security Centres International (USA) LLC.
In his remarks, Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger outlined the benefits that international business provide for our area.
“We are proud to honor these outstanding companies for their contributions to the Chattanooga community,” said John-Paul Morgante, president of the International Business Council. “The Chattanooga area hosts 97 companies from 23 nations across the globe along with thousands of locally owned businesses involved in international trade in one way or another. Komatsu and Mad Priest, along with the other finalists, are some of the many examples of the importance of international business to our community.”
Komatsu has been manufacturing in Chattanooga since 1986, and was recognized for 32 years of manufacturing excellence and community service.
“The Chattanooga Manufacturing Operation prides itself in building some of the highest quality construction machines available for the North American market,” said Komatsu General Manager Walt Nichols. “We strive to be good corporate citizens and neighbors within our community. We are grateful for this recognition.”
Mad Priest Coffee is a relatively new company launched in 2016, recognized for work with equity, social justice and the environment. Mad Priest works closely with Bridge Refugee Services to hire and train locally resettled individuals displaced from their home countries by war, persecution or natural disaster.
“We are humbled to receive this award,” said Mad Priest owner Michael Rice. “First and foremost, Mad Priest Coffee is a roastery dedicated to creating an excellent product. We love being part of the coffee industry where success isn’t just about a hard little bean, it’s about the global community.