Last month, Made in La Porte took a look at the candy producing American Licorice Corporation. This month, we will look at another business that positively impacts La Porte County both via business and philanthropy-Sullair. This large industry located in Michigan City manufactures the ever-useful rotary screw air compressors, but more on that later. The company also keeps sustainability and service on the forefront of its practices.
Sullair is a global company that was established in 1965. From there on, Sullair led the game in compressed air solutions and continues to perfect the products-such as the introduction of stationary rotary screw compressors. The company is highly known to adapting to consumer demand and the trends of the time. In 1984, Sullair became a subsidiary of Sundstrand Corporation, and later in 1999 a branch of the United Technologies Corporation’s Industrial Products Division. After a large and expensive acquisition, UTC sold Sullair to private-equity firms the Carlyle Group and BC Partners in July of 2012.
Sullair currently has 1200 employees worldwide, and a large portion of those at the Michigan City branch. The pool of workers is both efficient and professional.
Corporate Communications Manager Erin Paisan said, “My favorite part about working for Sullair has to be the people. It is just such a nice group of people. There are some people that have been here for years, and it is just a very loyal staff.”
The Michigan City division in Sullair specializes in the manufacturing of air compressors and houses the corporate offices. The company creates the rotors that compress the air and ultimately assemble the compressors. Furthermore, Michigan City Sullair does the post assembly work such as oiling.
Many people may not fully understand the necessity and importance of air compressors and Sullair’s work in the field. Human Resource Partner Matthew Cook and Paisan provided some clarifying examples. First there are stationary air compressors that can be installed in hospitals and factories.
Paisan explained, “It provides clean air and power. It is basically a form of power. They call it the fourth utility. A Sullair compressor powers the water show at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. “
The second line of air compressors is the portable. These much smaller compressors are often present on the side of the road at construction sites, and mining operations. Sullair portable compressors have even been used in large-scale rescue of mining accidents in South America.
“They are everywhere, a lot of times you just don’t see them. They are a behind the scenes machine,” Paisan said.
The company that has such a bright past is looking to continue the tradition in the future. Despite the hard times for manufacturing, Sullair has done a tremendous job and pulled through.
“We have new leadership and new investment in the Michigan City branch. I can certainly say we are looking to grow,” Paisan said.
This big-time company takes the time to thank the small town that supports it. Sullair does what is possible to serve the La Porte County Area. Sullair recently won an award from the state United Way for “Company of the Year.” The employees all support the United Way, but not by force, there is a genuine passion for service that cannot be ignored.
Cook commented, “One of my favorite parts about working in Sullair is the presence in the community. I think Sullair is synonymous with The United Way in community giving. I have been in La Porte now for seven to eight years, and it means a lot to me to be the part of a company that still understands quality of life, giving back to the community, and supporting La Porte County.”
