EDC Investor Categories: Manufacturing

Southern States Material Handling

Southern States Material Handling is the provider of Toyota’s world class material handling solutions to customers across a multitude of industries including, but not limited to, distribution, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, ports, education, and logistics. The diverse range of solutions include forklifts, fleet optimization, robotics/automation, conveyor, racking, facility planning, and lean management consulting. SSMH keeps America’s industries moving while being guided by the “five main principles of Toyoda”: Always be faithful to your duties, thereby contributing to the company and the overall good. Always be studious and creative, striving to stay ahead of the times. Always be practical and avoid frivolousness. Always strive to build a homelike atmosphere at work that is warm and friendly. Always have respect for God and remember to be grateful at all times. In addition to providing premier solutions to customers, SSMH also provides best in class benefits, compensation, and development to it’s associates and has been voted one of Florida’s “Best Companies To Work For.”




David Bailey

David served in the US Army where he protected our country and freedoms for over 22 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel leading Operations & Finance for Central Command. He transitioned to Toyota Material Handling in 2013 where he started as General Manager and worked his way up to leading the organization as President. David was drawn to the Toyota principles of “Monozukuri Wa Hitozukuri” (Building Things is Building People) and “Kaizen” (Continuous Improvement) which immediately resonated with his approach to leadership and operational excellence. Under his guidance the company has continued to grow in headcount, locations, solutions offerings, market share, revenue, and profitability. David is also passionate about serving the community and actively gives his time in support of the STAR veteran transition program and Southeastern Guide Dogs. He and his wife Crystal have 6 children and are avid Oklahoma Sooners fans.

David Bailey
President

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida)

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) is a family-owned, independent Coca-Cola bottler. Coke Florida’s exclusive territory covers over 18 million consumers across 47 Florida counties, and includes the major metropolitan markets of Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Coke Florida sells, manufactures and distributes over 600 products of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies. Coke Florida is the third largest privately held Coca-Cola bottler and the sixth largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola products in the United States. Coke Florida was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.




Troy D. Taylor

Troy D. Taylor is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida), a family-owned independent Coca-Cola bottler.

Coke Florida is the third largest privately held and sixth largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. The company markets, sells, produces and distributes a diverse portfolio of leading non-alcoholic beverage brands of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies. Coke Florida’s exclusive sales and distribution territory covers most of the state of Florida, including the Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville metropolitan areas. The company is Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certified and is the fourth largest black-owned business in America. Coke Florida was founded in May 2015 and is headquartered in Tampa.

Mr. Taylor has extensive experience as an operating executive, investor, banker and strategic advisor. He previously founded and was the Managing Partner of Spinel Investment Company, a Houston-based private investment and advisory firm. He was also an advisor to The Coca-Cola Company and previously held senior-level positions at J.P. Morgan, Accenture and BBVA.

Mr. Taylor serves on the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Jacksonville Branch, Florida Chamber of Commerce, American Beverage Association, and Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association. He is a Trustee of the Boys & Girls Club of America Southeast Region and is a member of the Coca-Cola Hispanic Advisory Council and Florida Council of 100. He was previously a member of the Tampa Bay Partnership Council of Governors and the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees.

Mr. Taylor has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Business Law from Marshall University. He was the recipient of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 award in Florida for the Consumer Products category.

Troy D. Taylor
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Mosaic

 

 

The Mosaic Company is the world’s largest combined producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash, two essential crop nutrients. Driven by its mission to help the world grow the food it needs, Mosaic is committed to strengthening global food security and protecting critical water resources. They employ approximately 8,900 people in eight countries and participate in every aspect of crop nutrition development. Florida is home to the headquarters of Mosaic’s phosphate operations and 4,000 of its employees. Mosaic’s phosphates business’ main office is in Lithia. The company has five operating mines and four fertilizer facilities in Hillsborough, Polk, Hardee and Manatee counties. Florida’s seventh largest landowner, Mosaic extended its land stewardship activities to the development of Streamsong® Resort, a nature-focused destination resort on formerly mined land in Polk County. Streamsong’s 216-room luxury lodge opened in January 2014.




Benjamin Pratt

Ben Pratt was named Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs in April 2020. Previously, Pratt held the position of VP—Corporate Public Affairs, leading corporate communications and U.S. Federal Government relations, as well as Mosaic’s corporate social responsibility activities. In addition, he serves as Owner’s Representative to Streamsong Resort.

Prior to joining Mosaic in February 2012, Pratt was SVP, Corporate Communications at Ameriprise Financial, Inc., in Minneapolis. Earlier in his career, he worked in a variety of communications and investor relations capacities at The PNC Financial Services Group in Pittsburgh, and at Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, both in New York.

Pratt is a graduate of Duke University.

Benjamin Pratt
Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs