The status of general manufacturing in Georgia is “Flying High” as exemplified by the theme, keynote speakers, panel members, and award winners at the 2018 Georgia Manufacturing Summit held last week at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta. Specifically, the state leads the U.S. in aerospace manufacturing.

Host, Jason Moss, President of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA), welcomed nearly 800 attendees to the fourth annual conference. In conjunction with the “Flying High” theme, Moss even used a drone to take pictures of the large crowd inside the ballroom in order to emphasize the multiple opportunities available to network, to learn from peers, and to potentially initiate business with one another. 

Breakfast Keynote Speaker: Erik Rojek, CEO, Thrush Aircraft

Erik Rojek, CEO of Thrush Aircraft in Albany, Georgia, got the day’s program off the ground figuratively as the Breakfast Keynote Speaker. Rojek began his presentation with a litany of statistics about the 53-year aeronautics company, which has delivered over 2,200 specialty aircraft in its history in the U.S. and to 60 other countries, with international sales accounting for 70 percent of their business.

Employee growth has increased from 60 employees back in its infancy to 240 today, and, while the company motto has been “Feeding the World,” the agricultural aircraft manufacturer has expanded its reach significantly in recent years from crop spraying and sowing rice to include markets as diverse as forest fire-fighting, border surveillance, mosquito control, and combating oil spills, to list a few.

Rojek elaborated about the factors that led to the company’s international growth potential. First, he stated, “We’re very fortunate to be located in Georgia.” For example, he mentioned the infrastructure within the state, pointing out the port of Savannah located three hours away from the Thrush plant. “We are able to ship our aircraft when we choose to containerize it anywhere in the world within 28 days.” 

Other advantages of having their manufacturing operations in Georgia include a good supply chain for planes, a workforce with varied skill sets, and the climate, which allows favorable weather for testing of aircraft coming off the assembly line. 

Thrush embraces technology, primarily with its partner, General Electric, such as installing GPS on their planes, allowing pilots to do precision applications and helping to optimize yield per acre. The company’s training center in Albany provides a simulator with a unique dual cockpit, as well as maintenance instruction, turbine pilot transition, and emergency procedures.

Rojek added his pride in the fact that Thrush is at the forefront of initiatives in the agricultural industry For instance, they are involved in establishing regulations; they educate crop growers; they participate in the annual Oshkosh air show; and, Thrush offers $30,000 in scholarships in the U.S. and in Canada in order to “make a difference.”

Lunch Keynote Speaker: Mark Burns, President of Gulfstream Aerospace

As a Savannah native and an employee of Gulfstream for 35 years, Mark Burns, President, has seen and participated in the soaring growth of Gulfstream. When he began with the company, it employed less than 1,000 people, and now has a workforce of 9,000 in Savannah and 500 in the Brunswick operation.

Gulfstream, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has manufactured 2,800 jet aircraft since the first G1 was produced in Bethpage, Long Island in 1958. Today the product line includes five models, the latest being the flagship G650ER, which sells for $70 million.  

With a record of 15 years of continuous R&D investment increases and long range, strategic planning that runs 30-years out, Burns noted, “Pursuit of Excellence…this is a battle cry for us. Good enough is not good enough.” 

He added that the demand for Gulfstream jets is based upon the benefit of speed and the value it offers executives as they fly around the world. For example, the planes can fly from London to Hong Kong in about ten and a half hours. Speed reduces the cost of information, that is, the travelers’ time, and it reduces the pilot’s time and fatigue factor, as well. The air inside is 100% fresh. The sound is the quietest in aviation and the large windows allow more natural light. The planes can fly for as long as 16 hours. 

The military also utilizes Gulfstream aircraft for reconnaissance. Over 200 special mission craft are in service around the world.

When asked what has changed in his 35 years with the $8 billion company, Burns responded, “How we build planes.” In particular, over the past 15 years or so, said Burns,  “Innovation and technology are the cornerstone to zero defects at all plants.” Two prime examples are the use of precision 3-D technology, and robotics that allow for bonded panels to be done on multiple sides at a time. In addition, Gulfstream’s simulator technology is designed to make pilots safer and to minimize mistakes.

Yet with all of the tools available in the world, “It all comes back to people,” Burns emphasized. “Our people take pride in the work, every detail matters from a craftsmanship standpoint.” Attracting and investing in talent is key. The training center includes an actual plane on which trainees work. 

Similarly, Gulfstream is partnering with Georgia Southern University, technical schools, and high schools, all the way down to 5^th grade level to develop and attract talent. Over 1,000 participants have gone through student leadership programs since 2008. “We owe it to the community,” noted Burns. Furthermore, Gulfstream’s community involvement includes a sustainability plan with the Georgia Conservancy because they want to be seen as a good steward of the environment by making the air cleaner with reduced emissions, reduced noise and by using renewable fuels. “As a company we’re thinking about sustainability, not just in our operations, but in our products, as well,” said Burns. 

Burns concluded by saying, “We continue to look for partners in Georgia that help us become more efficient, build better airplanes every day.”

Following the presentation, Moderator, Joanne Sanders, President of EWISE Communications and International Manufacturing Liaison and Market Leader for the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance, and Moss awarded Burns with membership in the GMA Hall of Fame.

Educational Breakout Sessions

Over 30 experts participated in seven unique panel discussions on the agenda. Interactive educational sessions at the GMA Summit included: 

• Disruptive Technologies (Session #1)

• Disruptive Technologies (Session #2)

• Manufacturing a Better Bottom Line

• International Manufacturing

• Trends to track in Supply Chain

• Workforce Development

• Sales and Marketing Secrets

“The People of Manufacturing” Awards Program 

“The People of Manufacturing” Awards are designed to bring exposure and recognition to Georgia manufacturers and their employees. The GMA honors the people of manufacturing in the state who exhibit excellence on a day-in, day-out basis. As part of the 2018 Manufacturing Summit agenda, the program agenda recognized the following individuals and companies for their achievements. Charlie Post, owner and President of TSI Solutions, made the presentations:

Individual Awards:

Front Line Supervisor
Elton Seton
KaMin LLC

Plant Manager
Jason Harden
Sunny Delight Beverage Co.

Team Awards:

Team Operational Excellence

Adient PLC

Team Safety
Scientific Games

About John Tabellione

John Tabellione is an award-winning, professional business writer, complemented by over twenty-five years of strategic communication responsibilities as a Marketing, New Business Development and National Account Sales Executive in consumer goods and commercial industries. 

Experience with Fortune 500 companies, as well as with smaller firms and non-profits, encompassing a variety of products, including those of Georgia-Pacific, Kimberly-Clark and Stanley Works. 

John has a B.A. in English from Fairfield University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Hartford. In addition, he has studied Russian at the Defense Language Institute at Syracuse University, and Italian language and culture at Kennesaw State University.