I took Internet classes at Georgia Appalachian Development Center at North Georgia College, and it allowed me to expand my business from local to worldwide. The course was inexpensive, the time commitment was not extreme, and it gave me the right tools at the right time.
Harry Petree, Jr.
President, Graphix Enterprise
Dawsonville, Georgia
In 2001, Georgia Tech EDI worked with Augusta's Thomson Plastics, Inc., which produces custom injection molded plastic components for the golf car industry. EDI helped redesign the plant floor layout of the company's facility following a $2.5 million expansion. The plant expanded from a 30,000-square-foot facility with 25 employees to a 225,000-square-foot facility with 200 employees. The revised plant layout provides better material flow and better floor space utilization, with reduced material handling and better use of component parts storage.
Georgia Tech EDI helped Impulse Manufacturing Co. find a site in nearby Dawsonville when the company needed room to expand and was considering other states. EDI also produced facility designs to incorporate additional equipment and capabilities for the factory. Since the move to the new facility, Impulse's number of employees had increased from 50 to 80, boosted sales by 50 percent and grown production by 42 percent. The company invested $4 million in the new facility.
Diversified Plastics Technology, Inc., started by three entrepreneurs to develop a unique, patented deck board in Jeff Davis County , was helped by Georgia Rural Economic Development Center to research alternative biomass fill materials and was connected to Georgia Tech's Chemical Engineering School to research and test chemical blowing agents.
Rhino Boat Builders, in Baxley, a start-up offshore boat manufacturer, has expanded from 2 employees to 7 in less than one year and expects to hire another 30 employees within the next few years. Georgia Tech EDI are assisting with the design of a new, more efficient manufacturing facility capable of producing 15 boats per week.
Down To Earth Trailers, in Appling County , started by an entrepreneur only two years ago to manufacture utility trailers, has grown to 15 employees and expects to expand to 50 employees within the next two years. Georgia Tech EDI helps Down To Earth design processes at its new facility to increase production and reduce manufacturing costs significantly.
In Toombs County, Georgia Tech EDI helps Lost Recovery Networks, Inc., a high-tech start-up company developing radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems, research the latest radio and telemetry technology through Georgia Tech Research Institute, investigate opportunities in the Homeland Security Bill, connect with the Georgia Ports Authority, and obtain antenna patterning and testing.
The guidance and technical assistance offered by Georgia Tech EDI has been invaluable in the start-up of our sheet metal fabrication and machining company, which has generated 10 new jobs so far. They have provided ongoing assistance in implementing an ISO 9000-compliant quality system, identifying suppliers, providing software, and researching potential markets. There is no way we could afford to pay the high fees normally charged by consulting firms that offer similar services.
As a small start-up company, we have received a lot of practical assistance from Georgia Tech EDI in many areas beyond our expertise and resources. These include research and evaluation of Kynar, powder-coat, wet paint, and other coating technologies. Others have involved strategic marketing assistance including industrial marketing training, assessment, and analysis of potential customers and competition; identification of fabrication and coating suppliers; and investigation into product patent opportunities.
When our company diversified into new markets, Georgia Tech EDI provided valuable assistance to us in areas where we had limited experience. Specific services included design of product and process flow, research of high-tech manufacturing techniques, facility layout drawings, design of a customized database to track product, selection of real estate for expansion, identification of tax credits, and investigation of export opportunities. As a result of this assistance, we are experiencing unprecedented growth and have increased our employment from 7 to 70.
Joe L. Smallwood
President, Flint Industries, Inc.
Metter, Georgia
As a small business, we find the SBIR program acts as an angel investor that doesn't require us to give up equity and management control. In 2002, we received from the EPA a phase one grant for the removal of arsenic from water and we have several other submissions currently under review.
Arthur W. Johnston
Chairman, President and CEO, Water Visions International
Cumming, Georgia
Georgia Tech's IT Solutions Center in Dublin has been a partner in the company's rebirth, helping the company set up systems to respond quickly to customer orders and requests for order status. Georgia Tech's IT Solutions Center helped the company reduce costs by interfacing the shop control system and the accounting system, and is helping Toombs Apparel launch a business-to-business Web site.
Ronnie Tyson
President, Toombs Apparel
As I approached graduation, GeorgiaHire.com allowed me to post my resume online and participate in electronic career fairs. That's how I found my job. Now, I'm an employer, and I see the benefits of GeorgiaHire.com from another perspective. Our company has very specialized needs. GeorgiaHire.com helps us find the students and alumni who meet our needs.
Jared Chambers
Product Specialist, Advanced Control Solutions (ACS)
Marietta, Georgia