Several Japanese companies, including Piolax, HL-A and Kubota Manufacturing of America, have found essential support from Quick Start and recently enjoyed expansions at their Georgia facilities.

According to Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation (KMA) President, John Shiraishi Quick Start was a major factor in his company's decision to locate in Gainesville. Lanier Technical College also was an important factor in the tractor company's decision to diversify and grow in recent years.

Quick Start and Lanier Technical College have been instrumental in the growth of KMA for the past 12 years. The college has provided training in welding, forklift operations, supervisor and manager training and various safety and workplace skills. Of special significance has been the Certified Manufacturing Specialist program. This technical certificate credit program helps increase employees' skills and understanding of job responsibilities and expectations in the workplace. Companies with employees who have the CMS training have noted a significant decrease in turnover and improved efficiency in general. At KMA, workers who complete CMS training receive a $1 per hour increase in their wages.

President Shiraishi recently commented that these employees (CMS graduates) have improved quality and provide a more adaptable employee profile while reducing turnover.

Laura Vandiver, KMA's manager of human resources, notes that CMS is important because it opens up opportunities for the individual worker. "Approximately 200 of our workers have a CMS certificate, which also included training them to work more closely with the Japanese staff," she explains.

KMA's 600,000-square-feet of work space, located in two buildings at Gainesville Industrial Park North, has three assembly lines and employs approximately 800 people. There are three shifts when the plant is in full production. Kubota tractors and mowers are gaining ground in the market and boast more than 1,000 dealers across the United States. There are four Kubota distribution centers throughout the United States.

In Georgia, the company makes front-end loaders and backhoes for larger-sized tractors, as well as three different lawn tractors. The most recent addition to the line is the highly popular Zero Turn tractor, which is used extensively in maintaining golf courses. The company produces 20,000 mowers annually and records $250 million in gross sales.

Kit Dunlap, president and CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, is especially proud of Kubota's decision to come to the Gainesville area and has watched the company grow and contribute to the community.

"Kubota is especially interested in education. For several years they have sponsored trips to Japan for students and teachers from Hall County. This is an excellent way for students to learn about the Japanese culture, including the highly regarded Japanese business culture," she explains. "Kubota is a wonderful corporate citizen. They believe in their community and participate in numerous ways, for which we are very grateful," she adds.