Georgia Department of Labor 
Suite 642 148 International Boulevard N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032 
 
January 16, 1998 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
COLLINS AND AIKMAN RECEIVES OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER AWARD 
 
ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner David Poythress announced today that Collins and Aikman Floorcoverings of Dalton has been presented a 1997 Success Track Outstanding Employer Award. 
 
"Collins and Aikman is unquestionably one of our state's outstanding employers, and is setting a good example for other employers to follow," said Poythress. "Like many other manufacturers, the company recognizes the necessity of upgrading the educational levels of its employees, so they can work in today's highly-technical world. Collins and Aikman has an experimental learning initiative called pacesetters. Employees of all ranks and jobs spend time together, breaking down barriers at work and home and instilling a culture of continuous improvement." 
 
The Outstanding Employer Award is presented jointly by the Georgia Department of Labor and Georgia Public Television (GPTV), which co-produce Success Track, a weekly television program about career and economic issues. The award was created in 1995 to recognize employers who are leaders in providing educational and job-training opportunities and benefit packages which enhance the careers of their employees. 
 
Collins and Aikman is the nation's leading manufacturer of vinyl-backed commercial floorcovering. Among 150 companies surveyed by Scarlett Associates, Collins and Aikman received the highest morale rating among its workers. 
 
Collins and Aikman and the 10 other award recipients were featured in a special episode of Success Track entitled Investing in People in December. The special will be shown again in the Spring. 
 
The other recipients are Ayres Corp., Albany; Crown Crafts of Calhoun; Synthetic Industries, Chickamauga; W.C. Bradley Co. and Synovus Financial Corp., Columbus; Roper Corp., LaFayette; Shorewood Packaging Corp. of Georgia, LaGrange; Armstrong World Industries, Macon; Pepsi Cola of Rome and Coats American of Thomasville. 
 
Success Track is broadcast Thursdays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. over the nine-station GPTV network. 
 
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AT (404) 656-3032, OR MAC BRIDGER AT 
 
E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us. 
 
FY-98-302 
 
An Equal Opportunity Employer