"Made in Fort Mill" has been an ongoing series for two months. It started with the intent of profiling companies in the Fort Mill area that sold to a national or global market.

Most of us know that these companies are here. We drive past them every day. But few realize how big or how significant they are in their markets.

You would not believe how many businesses become nervous when I call and ask for an interview for the series. Admittedly, most of the businesses I call are friendly and agreeable. They want you to know about their companies, what they make, and how they impact their markets.

Some businesses, on the other hand, must think that I am looking for dirt to spread across newspaper pages. And some of the businesses actually have policies that prevent them from talking to any member of the press, no matter the reason.

People who act like they have something to hide often have something to hide. Or, they may have been burned by a journalist in the past. But anyone who has read this series knows that I haven't treated any company unfairly.

I've profiled 11 companies. Two other companies refused. One said that they did not give any interviews. One simply refused, without reason.

Interestingly, one company that accepted an interview had actually been "worked over" by an investigative television program. It made them leery, but they still did an interview.

From a humorous standpoint, after I finished interviewing one company president, I wanted to take pictures. I needed to go to another plant to see their lab. He called and told them I was coming over, and that I was from "60 Minutes." He neglected to tell them he was just kidding. When I arrived it took me several minutes to convince everyone that I wasn't there to hunt for problem issues. All I wanted was a picture or two.

Usually, I contact one of the top officials in a company, somebody like the head of marketing or corporate communications. I always tell them that I am not doing an investigative piece; I am only doing a profile of companies in the Fort Mill area. We set an appointment if they are open to the idea.

The type of information I seek is simple: what do you do, how do you do it, how far you reach, and what are some interesting facts to share with Fort Mill Township readers.

Through these profiles, both you and I have learned about Fort Mill Township companies that do interesting things in interesting places.

One company spreads molecules throughout the world. Another has wire on the International Space Station. A third builds pipe organs that are in churches all over the country. A fourth provides ink for printing on many products that you see virtually everywhere. Still another probably helps your bank store your checks, or your doctor maintain your records. And one company has the largest music listening audience in the world. All right here in Fort Mill Township.

In other words, Fort Mill is bigger than you and I might think. You can go anywhere, including off the planet, and still encounter Fort Mill.

And that leads me to the last part of this column. Every town has a limited number of large businesses. And Fort Mill is no exception. I'm looking for more businesses, of all sizes, to profile.

If you have a business that does interesting things, has an unusual twist, performs a neat craft or trade, makes a special product, serves an odd market, is the biggest or best at what you do, is housed in an amazingly historical structure, or is involved in anything you think others might find cool to read about, call Liz Foster at the Fort Mill Times or e-mail me. But don't bother if you are just doing it for free advertising. If your company fits the purpose of this column, I'll give you a call.

Bill Henson is a technical writer and marketing copywriter living in Rock Hill. You can reach him by e-mail at writer@cetlink.net.