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International investors came away with top manufacturing awards at Partnership Gwinnett’s Movers and Makers breakfast May 1, while the sold-out crowd got a deeper look at the tech and sustainability strategies that power Georgia’s first foreign-owned car plant.
In a keynote and Q&A session, Kia Georgia CEO Stuart Countess covered how the Korean auto maker has invested in people and processes, driving innovation through robotics and AI, but mostly by instilling a culture of continuous improvement.
Then came the main event, as honors were doled out to manufacturers and logistics providers driving growth in Georgia’s second largest county.
Gwinnett, home to more than 500 international subsidiaries, has long recognized the value of foreign investment, with companies from abroad frequently taking home recognition in supply chain and advanced manufacturing, industries accounting for 10 percent of Gwinnett-based companies and more than 100,000 jobs.
This year was no different: WEG Electric, a motor manufacturer based in Brazil, took home the corporate citizen award. WEG has been present in Gwinnett for more than 20 years and has built out a manufacturing and logistics footprint across 12 states and 2,300 employees. Despite its deep Brazilian roots, about 70 percent of product sold in the U.S. is made here.
Ricoh Electronics Inc., meanwhile, took home the Large Manufacturer of the Year nod, the latest Japanese-owned firm to do so.
Bill Floor, president and CEO of thermal media, gave a nod to the Consulate General of Japan in his speech, recalling to U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Republican from the 9th district present at the breakfast, how they sat together during a recent dinner at the consul general’s residence.
Still, an exuberant Mr. Floor gave most of the credit to Ricoh employees and the county where it has built out its operations.
“I’ve lived here for 32 years in Gwinnett, so it’s live, work, play for me. It’s a wonderful, great county, with great people, and we get all the support we need to succeed.”
Other awardees included companies that are also exporting from the Georgia facilities, including mosquito repellent producer Thermacell.
Find the full list of winners below:
- Most Valuable Provider Award – Renova Technology
- Corporate Citizen Award –WEG Electric
Supply Chain Pioneer Award (2 categories)- Small Business – Slip Robotics
- Large Business – Keurig Dr. Pepper
Manufacturer of the Year Award (3 categories)- Small Business – Thermacell Repellents
- Medium Business – Rehrig Pacific Co.
- Large Business – Ricoh Electronics, Inc.
Manufacturng and logisticsc accounts for about 10 percent of companies in Gwinnett, employing some 100,000 workers.
“From advanced manufacturing to supply chain innovation, these leaders are helping us compete on a global stage, and we are proud to champion their impact,” said Kevin Carmichael, senior vice president of economic development at Partnership Gwinnett, said in a news release.
Recent Gwinnett investment wins include a $2 billion plant planned by Belgian pharmaceuticals provider UCB.
About 250 people attended the annual event at Westin Atlanta Gwinnett.
