Electrical and industrial giant Siemens, one of the earliest major German investors in Georgia, has been recognized by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce for its long-lasting impact in the county.
Siemens Electrical Products took home the James J. Maran International Award at the chamber’s 75th annual dinner Feb. 3, which brought together more than 800 guests including honorees across a variety of award categories.
Named after the late former chamber President Jim Maran, a longtime Motorola executive who died in 2021, the Maran International award recognizes a foreign-owned company that has put down roots in the county.
It was the second consecutive year that the chamber honored a German-owned firm. Last year’s Maran award went to Hettich America, which makes hinges and fittings for cabinets and furniture. Hettich consolidated its facilities in Gwinnett in 2010 and opened a new headquarters in the county the following year.
Siemens, a multinational conglomerate with more than 300,000 employees in 200 countries, helped pave the way for the nearly 100 German firms now employing more than 4,500 people in Gwinnett, long before the county northeast of the city of Atlanta became a leading destination for advanced manufacturing and a hotbed for international companies.
In January 2022, Siemens located its e-mobility research and development hub for the U.S. at the North American headquarters in Peachtree Corners, which now employs 500 people across multiple sectors. That number includes the team for Siemens Electrical Products, which provides low-voltage power distribution and circuit protection for residential and commercial buildings.
In recognizing the company, county leaders highlighted Siemens Electrical Products for its commitment to volunteerism and boosting the school system as it builds a pipeline of workers:
Siemens Electrical Products regularly supports the Georgia Special Olympics and North Georgia Habitat for Humanity among other charitable organizations. Their employees are deeply invested in STEM education—sponsoring and supporting events and teams from Georgia Tech, Morehouse College, and Paul Duke STEM High School.
Other Honorees at the chamber’s diamond anniversary event included:
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- Citizen of the Year – Tammy Shumate, Capital City Home Loans
- Public Service Awards (6) – Dr. D. Glen Cannon, Gwinnett Technical College; Jason Chandler, Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation; Jennifer Hibbard, View Point Health; Tim Le, NDI MAXIM Real Estate; Chief J.D. McClure, Gwinnett County Police Dept; and Emory Morsberger, Gateway85 CID
- D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award – United Way of Greater Atlanta in Gwinnett
- Wayne R. Shackleford Legacy Awards (posthumously given) – Tiffany P. Porter, Esq. and Jones Webb
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