Rockmart Plant
Expands Its Workforce

Jefferson Southern Corporation (JSC) in Rockmart, which produces fabricated metal automobile parts, has added a second production line and hired 60 new employees. This is the company’s first expansion in three years of operation. Georgia Quick Start and Coosa Valley Technical College will provide training for the new employees.

The expansion is welcome news in the county, said Karolyn Hutcheson, Polk County Chamber of Commerce president. “Polk County is so fortunate to have Jefferson Southern,” said Hutcheson, who has worked closely with JSC since the company chose to locate in Rockmart. “The company is an excellent corporate citizen, donating money to the fire department for the purchase of new equipment, donating money for a scholarship at the high school, and adding more jobs through this expansion. Quick Start is an asset for Jefferson Southern. The training Quick Start provided exceeded their expectations.”

With the expansion the company has added two new machines: a mash seam welder, which produces parts with required strength yet reduced weight, and a 3,000-ton press. Quick Start is training the new employees in several types of training, including job-specific, advanced technology, core skills and productivity enhancement.

(Photos) Top: After the training agreement signing ceremony, Mike de Graauw, right, JSC senior plant manager, gave dignitaries a tour of the newly expanded plant. Center: At the training agreement signing, from left, Craig McDaniels, Coosa Valley Tech president; Koichi Miyazaki, JSC president; Karolyn Hutcheson, Polk County Chamber of Commerce president; and Jackie Rohosky, DTAE assistant commissioner. Bottom: JSC is expanding operations and adding a second production line and 60 new employees.

Pulling Jobs
to Braselton

Tractor Supply Company, the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, is opening a regional distribution center in Braselton, bringing 120 new jobs to the area. Quick Start and Lanier Technical College will provide training for the new employees.

“Quick Start, Lanier Tech, the city of Braselton and the state of Georgia have been wonderful to work with and we’re extremely pleased to be here,” said Mike Graham, Tractor Supply Company director of logistics.

“Quick Start is very excited to be working with such an outstanding organization,” said Jeff Lynn, Quick Start director of Northern operations. “We look forward to providing training services to their employees.”