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Manufacturing Day occurs every year on the first Friday in October and the days leading up to this day is known as Manufacturing Week. Ideally, this is an opportunity to promote the importance of manufacturing on a local, national and global level. Companies across the manufacturing industry come together during Manufacturing week, dedicating time and effort to connect with young professionals and educate the next generation of manufacturers. Throughout Manufacturing Week, Commerce Chenango has been highlighting the finalists for their 2020 Manufacturer of the Year Award. Chenango County nominees included Heartwood Forest Products, LLC (Sherburne), Chobani (New Berlin) and Golden Artists Colors (New Berlin). We are pleased to announce that Golden Artists Colors was chosen to receive the Commerce Chenango 2020 Manufacturer of the Year Award.

Criteria of the manufacturer of the year award is someone who best create environments conducive for learning, performance improvement, and innovation. 2020 award winner Golden Artist Colors, Inc. is a manufacturer of artist quality materials including colors and mediums for painting in acrylics, oils and most recently, watercolor. Notably, Golden Artist Colors, Inc. launched in June of 1980 in a 900 square foot, renovated barn and has provided the community with decades of quality initiatives, product-line flexibility and customer reliability. Currently, with two locations, a 100,000-square-foot facility in rural Columbus, New York and a 45,000-square-foot commercial warehouse and distribution center in Norwich, the company’s 224 full-time employees are committed to producing materials that encourage exploration of form and concept, while assuring archival integrity.

GOLDEN takes pride in the fact that its Custom Lab is the only facility of its kind, dedicated to designing products to the specifications of individual artists. Developing paints to meet exacting criteria is the specialty of GOLDEN’s custom operations. As a natural progression from its initiatives in the fine arts market, GOLDEN established Paintworks, the commercial paint and coatings division of Golden Artist Colors, Inc. It provides commercial and OEM clients with paint making technology, toll manufacturing and integrated solutions. The company also assists customers with complex production, packaging and regulatory issues.

“We are truly honored to be recognized with this award,” said Golden Artist Colors President and COO, Barbara Schindler. “We have an incredible team of staff here at GOLDEN who is committed to excellence in manufacturing, and committed to building positive relationships with our customers and community. We are so grateful for all the support and dedication shown by our employees over these 40 years and look forward to continued growth in the business.”

Golden Artist Colors, Inc. is not only committed to its customers and local community, but to its employee owners as well. In April 2010, GOLDEN employees became the majority owners of the company.

“I love making a product in the U.S., in Columbus, NY, that is recognized around the world as an industry leader,” said GOLDEN CEO and Co-founder, Mark Golden. “Our staff at GOLDEN is unique. They come into work each day as leaders, striving to continuously improve and learn from one another, viewing challenges as opportunities. With each passing year, I see staff taking greater responsibility for the company's success. This is a unique year on so many levels. I look forward to celebrating this achievement with our employee owners!” 

“This has been an exciting week at Commerce Chenango” says Commerce Chenango President & CEO, Kerri Green. “Manufacturing is such a large part of Chenango County, our economy and our history. We have some amazing companies throughout the county and hundreds of smaller businesses and suppliers that rely on manufacturing for their products and services. I am so pleased to be able to recognize Golden Artist Colors this year. They are a celebration of innovation, creativity, beauty and a company that puts their customers and employees first. Thank you to the Golden family for ‘brightening’ Chenango County for all these years. A heartfelt congratulations.” Chenango County is home to no less than 80 manufacturers and employs more than 4,500 people that range from the very large (check out Chobani) to the small (head on over to Heartwood Forest Products), from yogurt and paint production to the creation of jet engine systems, hardwoods and medications. Located in Oxford, T-Squared Custom Millwork, Inc. was the recipient of the 2019 Manufacturer of the Year award.

To learn more about Golden Artist Colors, its history and its three brands (GOLDEN Acrylics, Williamsburg Oils and QoR Watercolor) and comprehensive product offerings, please visit www.goldenpaints.com .

Organized in 1959, Commerce Chenango is a not-for-profit, community based organization dedicated to enhancing the economic growth of Chenango County and the surrounding area. Visit our new website at www.commercechenango.com for more information on all of our entities.  ###