Manufacturers Council

It's that Time of the Year!
ARE YOU A MANUFACTURER IN THE VALDOSTA-LOWNDES COUNTY AREA SEARCHING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH PEERS?
The Manufacturers Council is the first step to an excellent connection.

The Council provide members with relevent information and advocacy to assist them in maintaining growth of their operations in the Valdosta-Lowndes area.

Please complete the form below to join.

PURPOSE

This Council serves as a platform in a confidential setting to provide dialogue, information exchange and networking exclusively for active manufacturing businesses in the Valdosta-Lowndes County Region who are Chamber members. It is all about manufacturing strategy – how to create jobs and become all the more competitive.

COMMITTEE

Brandon Raddatz, Chair
Bill Simmons (ADM)
Brent Beverly (Americal Drill Bushing)
Lee Crowder (Arizona Chemical)
Clinton Beeland (CJB Industries, Inc)
Ivan Caldwell (DuPont Crop)
Bill Kielma (Letica Corporation)
Greg Justice (Regal Marine)
Joseph Harrison (SAFT America)
Tom Carroll (Sunset Farm Foods)
Janet Martin (Wilkinson Textiles)

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

  • Quarterly Meetings
  • Business Retention Expansion Survey (B.R.E.P.)

FACTS ABOUT MANUFACTURING

…in the U.S.
The United States is the world’s largest manufacturing economy, producing 21 percent of global manufactured products
Produces 11.2% of U.S. GDP
Supports an estimated 18.6 million jobs in the U.S. (12 million or 9% of the workforce are employed directly in manufacturing)
Performs half of all R&D in the nation, driving more innovation than any other sector

…in Georgia (Exports)
Manufactured goods exports are the strongest part of Georgia’s economy
Manufactured exports support 18% of manufacturing jobs
86% of exports are small businesses
NAFTA accounts for 24% of Georgia’s manufacturing export market

** Information provided by NAM (National Association of Manufacturers)

Manufacturer of the Year Award

The Manufacturer of the Year Awards is a unique chance for you, your team and your company to receive mass recognition for your achievements. This award recognizes the outstanding work done by a manufacturer that has made a meaningful economic impact, and demonstrates outstanding corporate citizenship and workplace excellence.

Previous Award Recipients Include:
2001 Fortifiber (Formerly Firstline Corporation
2002 iLevel by Weyeraeuser (Formerly Trus Joist)
2003 Packaging Corporation of America
2004 Bathcraft, Inc.
2005 SAFT America, Inc.
2006 ERCO Worldwide, Inc.
2007 American Drill Bushing
2008 Regal Marine Boats
2009 CJB Industries, Inc.
2010 DuPont Crop
2011 Sunset Farm Foods

*Ineligible if recipient of award within last 5 years
*Must be a Chamber Member