16 Manufacturing Tours in July Highlight Consumer Products Made in Georgia

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Wednesday, July 11th, 2018

The Buy From Georgia movement is sweeping across the state in July to highlight consumer-based goods that can be purchased in a store or on Amazon. Studies show that the average consumer cannot name 3 products that are manufactured in their state, and the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance is on a mission to educate people about what is made in their community and the impact those products have on their local economy.

“We can and will be the leader of this manufacturing renaissance by supporting the Buy From Georgia movement. This program helps people become aware of how they make a difference by buying locally made goods,” said Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance.

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance invites consumers to tag along as they travel across the state highlighting 16 manufacturing facilities in July. To learn more about these tours and to register, please visit: http://www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com

BUY FROM GEORGIA TOUR SCHEDULE

Okabashi Plant Tour • July 10 • Buford
Okabashi is one of the remaining 2% of U.S. shoe manufacturers making up to 10,000 pairs of shoes a day at their 100,000 sq. ft. production facility.

Sherwin Williams Plant Tour • July 16 • Covington
This plant manufactures a variety of specially formulated powder coating products for customers globally for pipe coatings, lawn and garden equipment, and heavy machinery.

Millennium Mats Plant Tour • July 17 • Suwanee
With over 250,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art production, Millennium is one of the largest mat manufacturing operations in the world with sales in 23 markets and plants in 3 continents.

Georgia Gifts and More Tour • July 18 • Atlanta
Learn the history and the processes behind over 200 Georgia made products and gifts baskets that include gourmet foods, souvenirs, collegiate, and convention gifts that proudly represent our state.

PREP Cook, Create, and Connect Tour • July 18 • Atlanta
This small food business accelerator helps local entrepreneurs such as bakers, food producers, food trucks, and caterers with commercial kitchen space, work stations, and procurement.

Club Car Plant Tour • July 20 •    Augusta
Club Car, one of the most respected names in the golf cart industry, is the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles with over 2 million vehicles produced.

Hon Company Plant Tour • July 23 • Cedartown
HON produces high quality steel and wooden office furniture including brands such as AllSteel, Maxon & Basyx at their 750,000 sq. ft. facility with most of its products using USA components.

Southwire 12 For Life Tour • July 23 • Carrollton
Southwire is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Their 12 for Life program provides students with classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and employment opportunities.

Duracell Plant Tour • July 24 • LaGrange
This 309,000 sq. ft. facility uses high-speed manufacturing processes combine electro-chemistry and mechanical functions to produce all of the AA and AAA Duracell batteries in North America.

Henkel Plant Tour • July 24 • LaGrange
Henkel offers a unique portfolio of adhesives, sealants and functional coatings including their Loctite brand which is the world leader in the adhesives industry.

Kumho Tire Plant Tour • July 25 • Macon
With over 380 employees and a 1 million sq. ft. facility, Kumho Tire Georgia is the first Kumho Tire Plant in the United States has a production capacity of 4 million tires per year.

Savannah Bee Plant Tour • July 26 • Savannah
Featured as a “Small Business Success Story” on CNN, the Savannah Bee offers some of the world’s finest honey and beeswax body care products available.

EmployAbility Tour • July 26 • Savannah
EmployAbility provides people with disabilities vocational skills through custom screen printing, specialized assembly training, full-service catering services, and packaging assembly.

Ghost Coast Distillery Tour • July 26 • Savannah
See over 900 barrels of Vodka and Whiskey and their 17,000 sq. ft. distillery with a 500 gallon, American made, Vendome copper pot still where they produce a wide array of super-premium spirits.

Daniel Defense Plant Tour • July 27 • Black Creek
Daniel Defense is one of the largest competitors in the AR-15 firearms market, producing over 50,000 rifles per year at their 300,000 sq. ft. facility for consumers and the US Special Operations Command.

SunnyD Plant Tour • July 31 • Atlanta
Come see the advanced manufacturing processes, robotic systems, and supply chain processes that go behind bringing this popular beverage to consumers around the world.

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance has also developed a tool that helps connect the general consumer to products manufactured in Georgia. The http://www.BuyFromGA.com website features 1000s of items that are manufactured in Georgia that consumers can purchase using their Amazon account.

“I ask consumers the question, “Who can name at least 10 Georgia manufacturers?” and I offer a $100 prize,” continued Moss. “So far, I’ve given this prize to only two people. I’ll keep offering this reward until it becomes too expensive, because that means GMA has done its job!”