A brief summary of your services will tell us…
Established in 1947, Livingston & Haven is the leading industrial technology provider in the southeast, specializing in providing solutions in the automation, hydraulic, pneumatic, lubrication and connector industries. L&H helps customers experience an increase in productivity, efficiency and profitability.
We focus on applying all of our resources towards the success of U.S. manufacturing and transportation. Our vision and commitment is backed by extensive resources, technical capabilities and value added services. Customers can experience an increase in productivity, efficiency and profitability. International Paper, Bridgestone, Nucor and many others have been enjoying the benefits from a working partnership for many years.
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What regions do you serve?
With over 180 employees, residing in more than six states in the Southeast, we are one of the largest fluid power, automation, lubrication and connectors companies in the nation. Through the collective experience of the sales engineers and application support personnel, Livingston & Haven strives to develop answers and techniques to solve the toughest manufacturing challenges. Add our market leading vendors like Bosch Rexroth, Balluff, Hydac and Parker and Livingston & Haven can address almost any motion, maintenance or data integration issue.
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What might surprise me about Livingston & Haven?
Our success is achieved through demonstrating the right values for our people, our communities and our customers. We have taken the word CHARACTER, a powerful word by itself, and broken it down to where each letter represents one of our core values. Together, the word CHARACTER and the values affiliated with it guide our associates in their daily conduct, both towards customers and their co-workers.
Our company is made up of a diverse group of innovative leaders, risk takers and problem solvers collaborating to achieve a common goal. Each associate is valued and motivated to inspire fellow team members. At Livingston & Haven, our associates are more than co-workers; they are friends, companions, and family.

What are some of Livingston & Haven’s proudest accomplishments?
Through annual corporate and charitable contributions, we are meeting the needs of communities across the Southeast. These needs vary by community, and support of these programs is important to our mission, to sustain and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. We are active participants in our communities by providing time and resources to promote and improve local economic and social vitality. Livingston & Haven is actively involved in STEMersion, a two-week summer camp for teachers launched by Charlotte business leaders. STEMersion was designed to help teachers better understand how STEM comes to life in today’s workplace as well as the high demand occupations which are prevalent.

A brief summary of your services will tell us…
Ross Printing is a 3rd generation, veteran owned small business, with over 300 years combined experience between our twenty-three employees. Starting from a simple stationery shop in New York City in 1946, our company has changed and grown tremendously with the advent of new technologies and printing methods. We have been serving the Low Country of South Carolina since 1989, providing the most complete product line, at the highest quality, with superior customer service.

What regions do you serve?
We have no limits - we can be reached by walk ins, phone, fax and the internet.

What might surprise me about Ross Printing?
​Current owner, Jeremy Ross, came into the picture in 1991, after serving in the Army during Operation Desert Storm. Learning all he could about the company his father and grandfather had built, Jeremy began implementing new ideas. He took the company from one that brokered jobs for their clients, relying on other printer’s services, and brought back the presses and equipment necessary to print right there in the Ross Printing facility. This allowed Jeremy to meet his clients’ needs at a service level that would exceed expectations and build stronger customer relationships.

Under Jeremy’s leadership and through strategic acquisitions of competitors and complimentary companies, Ross Printing has expanded from 5 to 23 full-time employees with 10,000 square feet of space including their building expansion in late summer 2017. In 2010, Ross Printing expanded its product offering and in-house services through the acquisition of Low Country Target Mailing - Charleston’s oldest and most experienced mail service provider. This allowed us to fully encircle our customers’ projects, offering concept and design, through production and finally distribution to specific targeted markets.

All of this, including the acquisition of niche production capabilities like wide format printing, laser cutting and engraving and direct to garment printing, give us the ability to offer the widest range of products and services in the Low Country.
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How do you attract and retain a dedicated workforce that is able to support all of your customers’ needs?
We try to motivate and inspire our employees and demonstrate that we have faith in their abilities to get the job done. We are always open and available and provide workplace flexibility. Our team is a family - we laugh, we bicker, we joke, we get the job done together - when one succeeds, we all succeed.

What are some of Ross Printings’ proudest accomplishments? 
We have been on the Top 100 list for quick commercial printers twice, recognized in the Business Journal’s 40 under 40, one of the Fastest Growing Small Businesses in Charleston, Winner of Charleston’s Choice for Best Printer 2016 and 2017 and more. Awards and accolades are great, but just being able to stay in business and grow in a competitive environment for nearly 30 years is something to be proud of. Several of our clients have been with us from the beginning and their recommendations to their friends and business partners proves that we are continuing to meet our goal of being the best printer in Charleston.

A brief summary of your services will tell us…
Cassique Warehousing and Packaging, LLC is a third-party logistics company located in Hanahan, SC. Our goal is to provide each customer with exceptional service and to improve their overall logistical needs. Our view is that we are the eyes and ears of our customer. We view ourselves as an extension of the customer and know that they rely on us for timely and accurate information. We can be as involved in our customer's logistical needs as they would like us to be. Meaning we can plan and coordinate all logistics to take the burden off the customer, or we can simply manage inventory and handle/store the material.

What regions do you serve?
Cassique Warehousing and Packaging is based in Hanahan, SC. We have warehouses locations in Texas, Mississippi, Virginia, and Florida.

What might surprise me about Cassique Warehousing & Packaging?
Formed in November of 2012 by Ben Cheatham, Cassique is a name that is unique to the Charleston area. Back when the English were first looking for a place to land in Charleston they came upon a group of Native Indians called the Kiawah Indians. The Kiawah Indians and the English were friendly. The Chief of the Kiawah Indians, known as “The Cassique,” played an instrumental role in establishing a relationship between the Indians and the English. As a tribute to the local Kiawah Indians in the area and because we play a part in the trade between different countries and different companies we decided to name our company Cassique Warehousing and Packaging, LLC.

How do you attract and retain a dedicated workforce that is able to support all of your customers' needs?
As a family run company built on relationships and team work, our employees and their families are a valued part of the Cassique family. 

​What are some of Cassique Warehousing & Packaging's proudest accomplishments?Currently, we occupy several locations in the Charleston area, one on the old Navy Base and another in Hanahan. Both locations are strategically placed close to the Ports. Our other location in Hanahan is 2 miles from the North Charleston Terminal and 10 miles from the Wando Terminal. We are growing to meet a diverse logistics community as Charleston becomes a major logistics hub in the southeast. 

A brief summary of your services will tell us…
Palmetto Railways is an enterprise agency of the State of South Carolina and a division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce. We strengthen the state’s economy by providing safe, efficient and cost-effective rail solutions for the movement of freight. In addition to hauling freight, our services include industrial development, locomotive and rail car repair, leasing and track construction and maintenance. We work with our clients and partners to add new services and capabilities so we’re always keeping business on track for South Carolina.

What regions do you serve?
Palmetto Railways is based in the Lowcountry, but our footprint stretches across South Carolina through our four subdivisions: Charleston, North Charleston, Charity Church and Hampton & Branchville. We work with larger Class I railroads like CSX & Norfolk Southern to keep freight moving throughout the state. Our customers are some of South Carolina’s largest employers, a geographically diverse group. If you visit our new website, www.palmettorailways.com, you can see just how many companies we serve across the state every day.

What might surprise me about Palmetto Railways?
Did you know that Palmetto Railways has been moving freight in South Carolina for over 125 years? Although we started calling ourselves Palmetto Railways in 2013, our organization’s rich history dates back to the establishment of the East Shore Terminal Company in 1890.

It might also surprise you to learn how much business Palmetto Railways keeps on track. The rail system throughout South Carolina supports over 330,000 jobs and has a statewide economic impact of $56 billion each year. As the terminal switching provider and short-haul carrier for a number of South Carolina’s largest freight rail customers, including the Port of Charleston and others, over 100,000 rail cars of freight move over our tracks annually, and in 2017 alone, our freight system handled over 250,000 finished automobiles. We’re proud of the role we play in making South Carolina the nation’s leader in export sales of completed passenger vehicles.

​How do you attract and retain a dedicated workforce that is able to support all of your customers’ needs?
Our team is the key to our success. Without them, we could not provide the outstanding service our clients and the state have come to expect. Palmetto Railway employees are dedicated to a mission we call SECURE, which stands for safety, efficiency, customer service requirements and expenses. By being SECURE, our employees create a safe, fulfilling workplace that supports them in their careers.

Are you interested in this kind of work? We regularly share our story and our values at community career fairs and similar events, and we are always looking for talented individuals seeking the chance to join an organization dedicated to serving others and promoting the state’s economy. For more information, please visit our website, www.palmettorailways.com, and submit your resume on the Careers page.

What are some of Palmetto Railways’ proudest accomplishments?
We are proud of the outstanding work our team performs for our clients, and we are proud that our client and partners know they can count on Palmetto Railways to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective rail solutions to support them as they grow the state’s economy. We are also proud of our own contributions to the growth of South Carolina’s economy through two major development projects, the Navy Base Intermodal Facility (NBIF), which recently accomplished a major milestone, at the North Charleston Navy Base and the Camp Hall Rail Project in Berkeley County.

The NBIF project is a $280 million project set to come online in 2021. It will support over 3,000 jobs through construction and related infrastructure and increase economic activity in the region by $450 million dollars. Other benefits include economic development, supporting infrastructure demands and sustaining our environmental responsibility. We are celebrating a major milestone with the recent publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement at the end of June, which is a major step in moving this project forward and driving growth through the new port facility. NBIF will make Palmetto Railways a driving force in turning the former Navy Base into an economic engine for not just the Lowcountry, but South Carolina as a whole.  

In addition to NBIF, Palmetto Railways is also developing an industrial rail line to serve the Camp Hall Commerce Park in Berkeley County. The new rail line will connect the development to an existing Class 1 rail network to promote development in the area. Palmetto Railways will construct, own and operate the new rail line which will serve Volvo Cars and other tenants of the Camp Hall site.
It’s an exciting time at Palmetto Railways, and you can see that every day in the enthusiasm our team members have in their work. From delivering exceptional service to promoting the state’s growing economy, we’re proud that Palmetto Railways is truly keeping business on track.

• A brief summary of your services will tell us…
  • Milestone is one of the largest – and continually growing – transportation equipment lessors nationwide, making us your logical choice for Peak Season as well as year-round needs! Milestone leases chassis, domestic containers and trailers. We are known in the industry for providing flexible leasing programs that optimize our customers’ bottom line, serving the needs of:
    • Motor Carriers
    • Steamship Lines
    • NVOCCs
    • BCOs
  • Our Chassis fleet is comprised of some of the newest and highest quality equipment on the road featuring New OEM Radial Tires, Axles with ABS, Hub-Piloted Disc Wheels, LED Lights and All New Steel Frames with Powder-Coated Paint.
• What regions do you serve?
  • Over the past 20 years we have built a footprint that includes 60+ locations with dedicated, quality equipment in high demand markets, such as Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta and Jacksonville. We also have trailer leasing branches in Charlotte and Atlanta along with 2 more locations coming soon to the Southeast.

 

• What might we be surprised to know?
  • Peak-Season planning and equipment acquisition is already in full-swing. We offer a wide-array of leasing options for our customers to include daily, short-term and long-term solutions. With another year of projected record-high stress levels for the traditional pool in the Southeast --- now is the time to ensure you have the equipment you will need to be successful this peak-season. With leasing locations based near dock, your drivers can avoid the inefficient and time-consuming congestion of having to procure chassis on Port. Daily and short-term rental is available through Chassisfinder.com. For more information or longer-term needs, contact Rob Kiser directly at (912) 856-1349, or email at Robert.kiser@milecorp.com.

 

• How do you attract and retain a dedicated workforce that is able to support all of your customers’ needs?
  • We use a combination of outside recruiting agencies, online advertisements, and social networking to recruit top talent to join our team of experts. We have a 360 degree approach to hiring - involving multiple team members and perspectives in order to ensure we are hiring candidates who are both a cultural fit and are excited about what they do. 
• What are you most proud of?
  • In the last two years Milestone has made a major investment in the Southeast. This has helped our customers to avoid the equipment shortages that our industry is all too aware of. With Peak Season around the corner, we have Chassis at the ready – and our customers do not have to worry. Typically much of our equipment in this market is leased by August. This means that there is still time to reserve equipment now – ensuring that customers have the equipment they need during the highest volume time of the year.

​Charleston Sister Cities International globally promotes the Charleston region and enhances our community’s international understanding through trade missions, and civic, cultural, educational and humanitarian engagement with partners abroad - contributing to a more peaceful and prosperous world.

MISSION TRIP TO PANAMA
Join Charleston Sister Cities International in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Commerce, in Panama City, Panama, October 16-20, 2018, to meet with Panama City's top municipal leaders and business community. Engage in specifically designed B2B meetings arranged to fast-track your business organization's international goals. Tour the Panama Canal and visit historic Panama City, which is celebrating its 500th anniversary in 2019. ​

WHY PANAMA?
As the crossroads of trade for the Americas, Panama serves as a strategic location for trade and business between North and South America. Modern Panama is not only a key maritime and air transport hub, but also a center for international trade, banking and services. 

TRADE MISSION DETAILS | Dates: October 16-19, 2018

*EXPORTERS' TRACK: $1,502 - Includes receptions and dinners with municipal and business leaders of Panama, B2B meetings in Panama City with producers of leading Panamanian exports, and Panama Canal tour. Specialized tours of plantations, distilleries and other production facilities separately arranged at an additional charge. 
*Fee does not include airfare, lodging or meals.
For more information, about the Exporters' Track please contact: Anita Patel, apatel@sccommerce.com or 803-737-0247.


*DELEGATION TRACK: $1,350 - Includes receptions and dinners with municipal and business leaders of Panama, B2B meetings in Panama City with producers of leading Panamanian exports, and Panama Canal Tour, and Panama Pacifico Tour. Specialized tours of plantations, distilleries and other production facilities separately arranged at an additional charge. 
*Fee does not include airfare, lodging or meals.
For more information, about the Delegation Track please contact: Neita Wiese, neita@charlestonsistercities.org or 843-478-8569.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: August 1, 2018 ​The goal of this Trade Mission is to help each participant grow their international business in Panama through a customized meeting itinerary with prospective customers and partners. 

EnviroSmart is a safe, quality and valuable provider of environmental, industrial, construction, and facility operations support services.  
 
What regions do you service? 
Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern Regions - TN, KY, NC, GA, FL, SC, VA, MD, DC
 
What is one fact our members may not know about you?
EnviroSmart Inc. (EnviroSmart) is an award-winning Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) certified firm.
 
What is one thing you are most proud of? 
Our excellent safety rating is proof that we are committed to the health, safety and welfare of our team members and clients.  Nothing we do or hope to do exceeds the well-being of all involved.  We passionately believe in the welfare of our people and execute safe work practices daily; in small and great ways.

With origins dating back to 1872, BB&T services its customers through consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Sylvia supports the Charleston Region by developing relationships with companies who wish to offer more benefits and financial security to their employees.  
 
What regions do you serve?
 
BB&T has a presence in the following states: Alabama, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. In Charleston, BB&T has 7 branch locations where they work to support clients in all phases of their financial journey.
 
What are you most proud of?
 
The people at BB&T showcase the kind of workplace it is. The diversity of business and opportunity at the company provides a unique workplace for all who touch it. The synergies between life and work balances gives employees the motivation to work hard from 8-5 but also give back in their personal time, with the support of BB&T behind them. Being satisfied in your workplace is so important and the relationships built here are what make employees like Sylvia most proud. 

The Lowcountry Maritime Society (LMS) teaches South Carolina youth Science Technology Engineering and Math skills along with essential Social and Emotional Learning skills using boatbuilding as the teaching platform. Students in our programs have the opportunity to apply and reinforce what they are learning in regular school classes through a hands-on approach. Our goal is to engage student’s in learning while building their grit, ability to work as a team and pride in themselves and their maritime community.
 
What regions do you serve? 

LMS currently provides programs in Charleston County. We have our sights set on providing opportunities to youth throughout the Lowcountry region.
 
What is one surprising fact about your organization?

​Although our first programs were held after-school, the majority of our STEM boat building programs are hosted in-school as part of the regular school day.
 
What are you most proud of?

We are most proud of the number of students we impact per year considering the size of our organization and the weight of that impact. We have seen time and time again the positive transformation of students that take part in our programs. Learning to build a boat is empowering and tough. The project doesn’t get completed in a day, instead students work for months to complete their boats. This gives them a tangible example of what time and dedication can produce.