George Boyd Jr. stands in front of a nearly finished casting in the machine shop that will be used as a knuckle on the front end of an excavator. Mr. Boyd is a speaker on NGM's trade and tariffs panel.

The annual event by trade group Next Generation Manufacturing is yet again homing in on international issues as factory owners in Georgia grapple with new realities in the global economy. 

One among many panel discussions at the all-day event next Tuesday, Oct. 2, will focus on “The Three T’s — Tariffs, Taxes and Trade Deals and Their Effect on the Industry.” 

Once again to be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the forum is designed to help Georgia factories prepare for the future of their industry by enhancing competitiveness across a variety of metrics. 

An increasing source of angst has been uncertainty over how turmoil touched off by President Trump in the trade arena will affect their sourcing costs, the resiliency of supply chains and their exports sales prospects. 

Speakers on the panel include: 

  • George Boyd, Vice President & General Counsel, Goldens Foundry & Machine Company (Read more about the company in this Global Atlanta story.)
  • Kristen Lane, Director Trade Compliance, Acuity Lighting
  • Melissa Lindh, CFO, Universal Alloy Corporation
  • Jim Reed, President, YKK Corporation of America

At last year’s edition, speakers at a similar panel were split on the effects of Mr. Trump’s “America First” policies, which were then much more speculative than they are today in the midst of a tariff volley with China. 

Learn more about the event, get the full program and register here

Read more from last year’s event: Georgia Factory Owners Split on Trump’s ‘America First’ Trade Policies

As managing editor of Global Atlanta, Trevor has spent 15+ years reporting on Atlanta’s ties with the world. An avid traveler, he has undertaken trips to 30+ countries to uncover stories on the perils...