We introduce this final installment of our Kane County Manufacturing Champions series with a catchphrase from Aurora, Illinois’ most-famous fictional SNL duo:

“Wayne’s World! Wayne’s World! Party time! Excellent!”

That’s because the folks who work at our Batavia-based champion company not only know how to party on, they know how to PartyLite.

Our other two champs offer dynamic drilling in Elburn and take their vitamins every day in Montgomery.

PartyLite Worldwide

• Candles, Holiday Home Decor
• 601 Kingsland Drive, Batavia, IL

PartyLite Worldwide is the world’s largest party plan company selling candles, candle holders, flameless fragrance and wax warmers, as well as holiday and home décor in 21 different countries. It is the manufacturer of a one-of-a-kind type of candle in the world.

PartyLite has been in business for more than 40 years. It opened its Batavia manufacturing facility in 1996, opened a Carol Stream distribution center in 1997, and consolidated manufacturing and distribution into the Batavia facility in 2012. This was followed in 2013 by being named #18 in the Manufacturing Leadership 100, an award conferred by Manufacturing Executive Magazine, based upon its performance in process impact, business impact, strategic impact and use of technology. It also conscientiously practices in conformance with the Direct Selling Association’s Code of Ethics.

This company has been a model for the area in terms of manufacturing, including productivity, employee-management relations, and most recently the ability to recover from a multi-million-dollar fire, the response to which was to resume shipping within 24 hours, manufacturing within three weeks, and increased historical output within a matter of 12 weeks.

Rig Source, Inc.

• Drilling Equipment
• 700 Hicks Drive, Elburn, IL

Rig Source, Inc. (RSI) is an innovative and dynamic drilling equipment source out of Elburn serving the pipeline, oil and gas, geothermal, geotechnical, environmental and core-drilling industries. Staff members’ drill rig and crawler carrier knowledge and experience allows them to deliver new and used equipment solutions at affordable pricing.

Rig Source offers the finest drilling and crawler carrier equipment such as Atlas Copco, Boart Longyear, Geoprobe®, Diedrich, Morooka, IHI, Mobil Drill, CME and more. Terramac rubber track carriers will soon be added to the list of equipment offered by Rig Source.

Customer options include new, used or rental drill rig or crawler carrier equipment, as well as custom fabrications and refurbishments. Rig Source sells new and used core drills, oil and gas drills, auger rigs, direct-push units, crawler carriers and more. Along with new and used equipment sales, Rig Source offers a variety of customized drill packages, tooling and support equipment to meet your needs. Rig Source sells and ships internationally.

Vegetable Vitamin Foods

• Oleochemical and Personal Dare Products
• 2000 Aucutt Road, Montgomery, IL

The Vegetable Vitamin Foods Company was established in 1939 in India by Godrej Pallonji Joshi. His vision is the VVF of today, a multinational oleochemical and personal care products company which continually strives to improve and innovate their products, brands and business processes to suit the constantly changing needs of their customers worldwide.

VVF is a manufacturing and marketing company of personal care products and oleo chemicals with a worldwide presence in operating centers spread over North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Far East. VVF’s manufacturing presence in North America was launched in 2002 in Ontario, Canada. The North American platform was built on more than six decades of international success.

VVF has been one of Montgomery’s top employers for many decades. In addition to the 350 jobs they currently employ, additional contract employees are on board each day that specialize in certain areas such as maintenance and equipment repairs.

They have contributed to the fire department, Hesed House, many of the local agencies including the Valley Industrial Association, the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation and the Chambers of Commerce, to name a few. They have also supported many of the events held by the village.

In the last year or two VVF also contributed funds to support a manufacturing laboratory in the John C. Dunham Stem partnership school. The laboratory will engage students in activities related to production, logistics and quality control. VVF continues to “pay it forward” and has always been a strong giver in the community.

Manufacturing Series

• Sept. 4: Meet 4 Nominees for Kane County Manufacturing Champion of the Year
• Sept. 8: 4 Kane County Manufacturing Champions Measure Up, ‘Make Your Life Easier’
• Today: Manufacturing Champions Party Lite, Know the Drill, Take Their Vitamins