FCMA PDFs - FINAL

Sunday, October 20, 2019 T4
2019 FCMA EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Company Excellence Awards
MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR: VAC-CON, INC.
FOUNDERS SERVICE AWARD: JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION
In 1987, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Inc. introduced the world’s first mass-marketed disposable
soft contact lens under the ACUVUE Brand name manufactured at its global
headquarters in Jacksonville. Johnson & Johnson is high-volume contact lens manufacturing
site, which focuses on precision injection molding, automation, robotics and optical tooling
fabrication. The company serves a global marketplace with more than 4,000 team members
in 52 countries worldwide; more than 2,200 employees in Jacksonville; and produces
more than 4 billion contact lenses per year while ensuring to commitment to quality and
its customers. As it continues to develop and launch new products, Johnson & Johnson’s
production provides direct financial gain to its employees and the community in wages,
benefits, and charitable contributions to many worthy organizations. Through this growth,
Johnson & Johnson is in the process of hiring over 50-plus employees into the manufacturing
area with expertise in engineering, manufacturing/production and quality.
Vac-Con, Inc. has been a principal manufacturing enterprise on the First Coast for more
than 33 years. In 1986, the formation of Vac-Con was a business strategy to support the continuity
of its original parent company, Dunbar Kapple, after the 1980s’ grain embargo. Today,
Vac-Con is a leading manufacturer of industrial vacuum sewer cleaners and hydro-excavation
machines for municipal, private, and federal markets. The same innovation-driven
mentality is instilled in the culture of Vac-Con, propelling it to be one of the top businesses
and employers in Clay County and on the First Coast. Vac-Con is named Manufacturer of the
year for its commitment to improving the economy, for its protecting the environment, the
commitment to educating its workforce and for its commitment to FCMA.
ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARD: JEA
As the regional water supplier
for the Jacksonville
area, JEA provides 120
million gallons per day
(mgd) of potable water to
meet customer’s needs.
Currently, all of the water
supply is from the aquifer,
which is a finite resource.
As our community continues
to grow, additional
water will be needed. In
planning for future water demands, JEA proactively began an investigation into alternative
sources of water supply. One innovative initiative is water purification. From 2017 to 2019,
JEA tested two industry-leading technologies at two different water reclamation facilities to
determine the feasibility of water purification as an alternative water supply. The testing results
determined that it is cost-effective compared to other alternative water supplies available, technically
feasible at continually protecting public health, and protects the water resources of the
region by provide a long-term, drought-proof water supply for future generations. As a result,
JEA is proceeding with demonstration and implementation. This step includes an initial 1 mgdcapacity
facility fully expandable to 10 mgd to further demonstrate the technology, optimize
performance and engage the public in the benefits of water purification. By doing this, JEA is
leading the state and region in the application of potable reuse.