Sixteen manufacturing companies in Lawton provide thousands of jobs and help drive the local economy, which is a reason to celebrate, said Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce President Krista Ratliff.
October has been designated as Manufacturing Month by the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce with communities statewide honoring some of their largest companies.
“Manufacturers provide jobs and help develop the ecosystem within our city,” Ratliff said. “This month is a dedicated effort to bring awareness of these manufacturers to our residents.”
As part of that month long effort, Lawton chamber members have been touring the various manufacturers so they can become educated about each company and its products. A chamber delegation recently toured Cosmetic Specialty Labs with more tours scheduled later this month at other companies.
Jennifer Ellis, president and chief executive officer of Cosmetic Specialty Labs, said the company produces hair, skin and body products, as well as over-the-counter drugs. Early in the pandemic, CSL shifted part of its production to hand sanitizer.
“As a fourth-generation family company, we understand the value of maintaining Oklahoma’s manufacturing base,” Ellis said in a statement released by the state commerce department. “We offer a wide variety of jobs and bring economic development to the state by creating products for international markets, but we’re also ready to step up to help with domestic needs. We appreciate the governor’s recognition of the vital role we play.”
Lawton manufacturers are Silver-Line Plastics LLC, Bar-S Foods, Republic Paperboard Co., Goodyear, Cosmetic Specialty Labs, Western Steel, Maxwell Supply, American Phoenix, Co-Op Services, Motion Industries, Albright Steel & Wire Company, T&G Construction Inc., Dunlaw Optical Laboratories Inc., Arrow Sign Company, Pepper Creek Farms and BAE Systems.
Along with homegrown companies such as CSL, Oklahoma supports global manufacturers like Goodyear, which has been manufacturing tires in Lawton since 1979. The company has invested more than $1 billion and has more than doubled in size since it opened. During that time, workers have manufactured more than 700 million tires, a company official said earlier this year during a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s newest expansion effort. Goodyear has expanded 16 times since the company opened in Lawton.
“As one of the world’s largest tire companies with operations all over the globe, Goodyear is proud to call Lawton, Oklahoma, home to one of our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities,” Lester Brooks, Goodyear-Lawton manufacturing director, said in a prepared statement. “We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of our Lawton associates who make the quality tires that keep our customers moving forward.”
Having a solid employee base keeps Lawton’s manufacturers moving forward while continuing to employ local residents, Ratliff said.