Business of the Year brought 20 news jobs

Loretta George/Tribune photo Gary Richards is the plant manager at Carlisle Transportation Products, recipient of this year's Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year Award.

The company that received the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award is one that took put money in the pockets of 20 Bourbon County area workers.

When Carlisle Transportation Products shut down it's China plant last year, that opened the door for new jobs in Fort Scott beginning in September.

"That allowed us to double our production," said plant manager Gary Richards.

Most of the company's products--agricultural and industrial drive belts--were coming back to the U.S.

"The shipping and lead times (were long)...it takes months to get a product back to the U.S.," Richards said. "Anytime we can bring jobs back from China, it's good."

Carlisle Companies Incorporated is a global diversified company that designs, manufactures and markets products that serve niche markets including commercial roofing, energy, agriculture, lawn and garden, mining and construction equipment, aerospace and electronics, dining and food delivery, and healthcare.

Its nearly 12,000 employees worldwide helped generate $3.6 billion in net sales in 2012, according to the company's website, http://www.carlisle.com/about-carlisle/Company-Profile/default.aspx

"We employ 219 here with the majority from Bourbon County, some from Crawford, Linn and Vernon Counties," Richards said. "Our division does $145 million in sales...the plant in Springfield, Mo. and here."

The Bourbon County division is a manufacturer of agricultural and industrial belts, which are used on air compressors, lawn mowers and combines.

Some of the company's clients are John Deere, Emmerson and Husqvarna, Richards said.