Press Release

Three Georgia Companies Named Manufacturers of the Year

Atlanta, GA – April 2013: Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle presented Georgia’s 2013 Manufacturer of the Year awards to: Southwire Company in Carrollton and Douglas, Nordson Corporation in Swainsboro, and Savannah’s DIRTT Environmental Solutions.

In his keynote remarks, Lt. Gov. Cagle spoke of the role of manufacturing in Georgia’s economy, and how the state keeps this vital sector healthy.

"When we’re helping existing companies and looking for new companies to locate in our state, the biggest question they always have is, 'How are you going to provide the qualified workers that I’m going to need to succeed,'" said Cagle. "And through our Quick Start program, we lead the nation in workforce development, because we’re focused on what industry needs. Manufacturing is critical to our long-term success as a state."

The annual awards luncheon, held in Atlanta, is the highlight of Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week, which is co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

In his proclamation declaring April 1-5 as Manufacturing Appreciation Week, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal noted the tremendous contribution manufacturing makes to the state's economic well-being. Nearly 9,500 manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, according to the proclamation, and they provide 349,138 jobs and generate more than $18 billion in wages in the state each year.

The three winning companies were nominated by business and civic leaders and chosen for their excellence and contributions to the state’s economy and their respective local communities.