Quick Start Newsletter Volume 2, Number 3

Manufacturing Essential to Georgia's Prosperity
Made in Georgia For the sixth consecutive year, Georgians for Manufacturing presented Manufacturing Appreciation Week.
This year's celebration was the best ever and truly was a statewide event. More than 750 participants from throughout the state represented a cross-section of manufacturers — from mid-size companies that design and manufacture lighting fixtures for home and office to large corporations that produce earth-moving equipment.
Major business sponsors included Georgia Power, Pattillo Construction, Miller Brewing Co., Milliken, Arthur Anderson, and North Highland Co. The Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism also provided support.
Manufacturing Appreciation Week was created by Georgians for Manufacturing, an organization formed to promote and educate the public about the role of manufacturing in the state's economy. The event included a tour of nearby manufacturing facilities and a technical institute as well as an awards luncheon that honored the manufacturers of the year.
This year CIBA Vision, Lanier Tech, and L-3 Communications hosted tours of their facilities. Governor Roy Barnes was warmly received by the group. His keynote address message was that manufacturing is the key to prosperity, and manufacturing's prosperity is directly related to the quality of the state's public education.
QS

Washington, D.C., Looks to Georgia for Training Inspiration

During my visit to Georgia for Manufacturing Appreciation Week in April, I was delighted to see that manufacturers are being recognized here in a significant way. It is obvious that Georgia values the manufacturing industry as a major component of economic growth and stability.

A highlight of our visit was the opportunity to see Quick Start in action in your local communities. Commissioner Breeden and Jackie Rohosky accompanied us to meetings at your technical colleges in Augusta and Columbus. One of those stops highlighted the Certified Manufacturing Specialist program. I was privileged to listen to representatives from the business and education communities emphasize their appreciation for the work of Quick Start and its commitment to remain involved in the movement to use the talent of local people to meet business demands.

A program such as Quick Start needs committed leaders to support the effort; Dr. Breeden and Jackie Rohosky obviously have done an outstanding job. Kudos also go out to the dedicated team members who run the program and develop the work products — hats off all around!

The National Skill Standards Board intends to work closely with Georgia over the next few years to establish a voluntary, national system of skill standards and certification. The reason we are so excited to work with you is simple: We have found in the Department of Technical and Adult Education, and in Quick Start, the sense of urgency, customer focus, and emphasis on quality that we believe will help the United States, and each state and locality, become increasingly more competitive in the global marketplace of the future. We look forward to building for that future together.

- Edie West, Executive Director of the NSSB

Photos of Tony Tranquil, George Jones and Governor Barnes

SOURDILLON — Tony Tranquill, general manager, accepted the Award for Manufacturer of the Year in the category of employer of 50 or less. Sourdillon, located in Ringgold, produces gas burners, valves, and control mechanisms for the gas appliance industry.

COOPER LIGHTING — George Jones, general manager of Cooper Lighting, accepted the Award for Manufacturer of the Year in the largest employer category. Jones took the opportunity to announce that his corporation will be moving its national headquarters to Peachtree City from Illinois. Cooper Lighting makes track lighting fixtures and employs approximately 1,500 people in Jefferson, Ellaville, Preston, and Peachtree City.

CATERPILLAR — Representatives from the Caterpillar corporate headquarters in Peoria, Ill., were on-hand to accept the award for mid-size manufacturer. Caterpillar now has five plants in Georgia. This year's award went to the Jackson County facility, which produces fuel injection components. Caterpillar employs 650 Georgians, 200 at its Jackson County plant.

Governor Barnes with Bill Boswell and Gerry Shaheen "It's no accident Caterpillar has come to Georgia. We look for states like Georgia. We want to be a positive corporate opportunity — we are willing to get involved in your state — and we are appreciative of the world-class workforce we found here," said Gerry Shaheen, group president of Caterpillar, Inc. Shaheen went on to thank specifically Jackie Rohosky, the Quick Start team, and Lanier Technical Institute, for making training viable and productive.

Pictured left (l-r): Bill Boswell, facility manager of the Jefferson Caterpillar Fuel Systems plant, accepts the award from Gov. Barnes along with Gerry Shaheen, group president of Caterpillar, Inc. Above left: Tony Tranquill, Sourdillon Above right (l-r): George Jones, Cooper Lighting, and Governor Roy Barnes

Sponsors Laud Georgia's Manufacturers

More on M.A.W. After World War II, Georgia's per capita income was half the national average. The G.I. Bill, along with improved roads, utilities to rural areas, better housing, and affordable industrial buildings attracted new businesses that could employ the emerging workforce. Banks and governmental agencies had to make prudent investments to feed this growth and, as a result of this combined effort, Georgia is thriving in the new millennium.

Pat Patillo From the very beginning, just after the War, manufacturing jobs led the way, and to this day they form the backbone of the state's thriving economy. We have closed the gap with the national average per capita income and the momentum is still with us. Pattillo Construction Co. has been a part of this endeavor for five decades. We have led industries to Georgia's citizens with speculative construction in small, yet deserving communities, in recognizing the benefits for all concerned.

Georgia's Manufacturing Appreciation Week is a tribute and acknowledgement of the best of our state's manufacturers. Industry employs our citizens and pushes the envelope of education and learning in order to be competitive in a world where machine operations require greater and more refined skills and cognitive processes. It is only right that we take time out to acknowledge these fine companies that have made such a positive contribution to our healthy economy.

Pattillo Construction Co. considers sponsorship of the week's program a privilege and we feel the economic future is bright, especially with the Governor's Educational Initiatives Program well on its way to implementation. Industry needs employees with a world class education to compete in today's economy. We are honored to be a part of this success and encourage others to take the time to appreciate what manufacturing has done for our state, both historically and for its future growth. QS

—Pat Pattillo

Becky Blalock and Governor Roy Barnes

"It is a privilege for Georgia Power to be a supporter of Manufacturing Appreciation Week. We are always pleased to join forces with our partners in economic development such as Quick Start, and bolster the effort to bring companies and communities together. M.A.W. is a perfect way to say thank you to our customers and to have the opportunity to share insights and information with our partners across the state." QS

—Becky Blalock, Georgia Power