GreenTech Manufacturing Digs Deep in Douglas
In March, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced that an environmentally friendly manufacturer of construction products, GreenTech Manufacturing, plans to locate a new facility in Douglas, GA. The company will create 320 jobs and invest more than $20 million in a new manufacturing and distribution facility.
“In Georgia, we work hard to support innovative companies such as GreenTech Manufacturing,” said Gov. Perdue. “As the world focuses on green technologies and cleaner manufacturing processes, GreenTech Manufacturing is a perfect fit for our state.” GreenTech Manufacturing has contracted a 103,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center located on nine acres in Douglas’ Southwest Industrial Park. GreenTech is wholly owned by Gulf Coast Arms, a nonprofit trust incorporated in Texas, whose mission is to foster sustainability and affordability solutions across the country and abroad.
GreenTech uses the innovative Powder Impression Molding (PIM) system to produce stronger-than-steel, lightweight construction products using up to 95 percent recycled materials from single-stream solid waste sources. The result is an environmentally sustainable, efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional construction products such as metal, wood, concrete and fiberglass.
“It has been a privilege to work with the State of Georgia, whose leadership values innovation and whose involvement has been essential in bringing this project to Georgia,” stated GreenTech Spokesman Michael Moreland. “Douglas’ community leadership also strongly compelled our decision to locate in Georgia. The location’s considerable transportation connectivity is ideal for GreenTech’s distribution to national and export markets. The local workforce is well trained, and the community has ample access to educational resources for ongoing innovation and job training.”
To grow roots in the local community and establish early positive relations, GreenTech will offer high-quality and high-paying administrative, technical and operational jobs that include high-tech job training and significant employee benefits. The company is working with Quick Start, East Central Technical College, the Georgia Department of Labor and Georgia Tech’s FaciliTech Team to create and implement customized workforce training. Job search and placement is expected to begin immediately, and the first PIM product to roll off the line could happen as early as September.
“This is a great day for Coffee County,” said JoAnne Lewis, executive director of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce. “GreenTech Manufacturing will become one of the city’s biggest employers.
The company’s official an-nouncement helps us celebrate the 50th anniversary of economic development in Douglas. Businesses like GreenTech will help us carry on our tradition of economic success and progress.”
Big Tex Trailer Trailblazes in Cordele
Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing announced in February plans to open a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Cordele, GA, creating 130 jobs and investing $7 million over the next two to three years. “Big Tex’s investment in Georgia showcases how vital the state’s location and assets are to growing companies,” said Gov. Perdue. “Our strong workforce and unmatched transportation network enable companies to reach their markets with a quality product in record time.”
In response to demand across the eastern U.S. for its Big Tex utility trailers, CM Trailer’s steel and aluminum horse and livestock trailers and the CM Truck Bed truck bodies, Big Tex has purchased property adjacent to Interstate 75 in Cordele that includes two buildings totaling 174,000 square feet on 55 acres of land for the new plant and distribution center. The like-new manufacturing facilities and easy access to I-75 make it a perfect location for Big Tex. The location also will serve as a new branch operation for Tex Trail Trailer Parts. Distribution operations are expected to begin in the spring of 2009, and manufacturing operations are expected to begin in the last quarter of 2009.
“We are really excited about being able to better serve our current dealers and reach new ones in the eastern part of the country with faster deliveries and lower prices. This expansion will help ensure that Big Tex stays on the growth path that we have enjoyed for the last 30 years,” said Ricky Baker, president and CEO of Big Tex. “A ready and capable work force, the enthusiasm of the community of Cordele, and the big welcome from the state of Georgia give us even more confidence.”
Hi-Tek Doubles Up in Dublin
Pet food manufacturer Hi-Tek Rations announced on March 10 that it plans to expand its Dublin, GA facilities, creating 30 jobs and investing $1.5 million. “Companies like Hi-Tek Rations are the backbone of Georgia’s economy. It is particularly pleasing to see them not only succeeding but growing in Georgia,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Our existing industries are the key to our economic recovery, ensuring more jobs for Georgians and investment in our communities.”
Hi-Tek Rations has acquired a 30,000-square-foot facility on five acres of Waldrep Industrial Boulevard in Dublin, adjacent to its current plant. The company plans to renovate the building to welcome clients as well as add a new dog food production line, nearly doubling current production. Hi-Tek manufactures private label and branded pet food products including the Intimidator and Good Dog lines. Hi-Tek also will launch a new line, Perfectly Natural, in April. “We are proud to be able to continue to grow our business here in Georgia,” said Leonard Powell, president of Hi-Tek Rations.
YesVideo Says Yes to Gwinnett County
California company YesVideo, Inc. plans to locate a new facility in Norcross, GA. The digital video imaging company will create 300 jobs in three years and invest millions in its Gwinnett County production facility. “For high-tech companies like YesVideo that are reaching a wide customer base, the state of Georgia is perfectly situated,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We have a skilled workforce, the technical infrastructure, a terrific transportation network and a business-friendly environment that fosters success.” YesVideo transforms consumer and professional video content from the original into current digital formats, allowing the content to be viewed and enjoyed for generations to come. The company uses highly automated production technology that digitizes the video media to contemporary formats and indexes the content so it can be easily viewed, organized, edited, shared and archived.
The company has leased 30,000 square feet of space in the Oakbrook Technology Park in Norcross. “The greater Atlanta area is a perfect location for the expansion of our production operations,” said Gregory Ayres, COO of YesVideo. “Atlanta is well-centered, geographically, to service the entire Eastern Seaboard, Midwest, and South Central regions with cost-effective ground logistics. In addition, the community has a ready labor force and extremely well-developed IT infrastructure to suit our growth plans. Finally, support from the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Quick Start training program made Georgia stand out above other areas.”
“YesVideo represents the type of high-quality, global, technology-based regional office we are working to attract,” said Gwinnett Chairman Charles Bannister. “With high-wage jobs…we are proud they have chosen to call Gwinnett County and the State of Georgia their East Coast home.”
Ohio-based Parts Distributor Selects Macon
Excess Incorporated, an Ohio-based transportation parts distributor, announced recently plans to locate a distribution center in Macon, GA. “Georgia’s strength in logistics and its business-friendly environment are attractive to companies like Excess Incorporated,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “With our transportation network and a ready workforce, Georgia is a natural fit for distribution centers.”
Excess Incorporated has purchased the former Huttig Building Products facility, a 90,000-square-foot warehouse on 11 acres on Franklinton Road in Bibb County. The company primarily will use the property as a warehousing, distribution and packaging operation. There also will be warehouse space available for lease. With its location in Macon, Excess Incorporated will create six jobs and invest $1.5 million.
“We chose the Macon area for a number of reasons. Our goal is to expand our import/export business and the Macon Economic Development Commission and the Georgia Department of Economic Development have gone out of their way to assist,” said Ron Dunn, Excess Incorporated’s president. “The excellent geographic location allows us to save on transportation costs. We also are impressed by the amenities, business community and the high-caliber workforce. We look forward to growing here.”
“We are pleased Excess Incorporated has chosen Macon and Bibb County for its new warehousing and distribution facility,” said Billy Pitts, Macon Economic Development Commission Chairman. “Macon and Bibb County’s central location and logistics network position us to attract suppliers to our core industries. Excess Incorporated’s location is yet another example that Macon works for warehouse, logistics, and distribution.”
