Quick start [Vol. 4, no. 1 (Winter 2002)]

Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education

Winter 2002 Volume 4, Number 1

TRAINING IS OUR BUSINESS
Can You Copy Success?

INSIDE
Laura Meadows 4
New DCA commissioner
South Georgia 5
When success is at "steak"
We're #1 7
Georgia workforce training lauded
GEDA & Quick Start 9
A partner's perspective
Quick Start 2001 14
Fiscal year statistics

KKaannaammee ""HHaarrrryy"" HHaaggiihhaarraa,, VViiccee PPrreessiiddeenntt && PPllaanntt MMaannaaggeerr,, wwiitthh FFrraannttzz PPiieerrrree ((rriigghhtt)),, VViiccee PPrreessiiddeenntt && DDiivviissiioonn MMaannaaggeerr,, RRiiccoohh EElleeccttrroonniiccss,, IInncc..

Vice President and Division Manager

copiers, toner, thermal media label stock, and

Frantz Pierre likes to describe the Ricoh

eCabinets, among other high-tech office

Electronics Inc. plant in Lawrenceville as a

equipment. The Lawrenceville facility, which

hybrid of Japanese and American manufactur- presently covers 350,000 square feet, manufac-

ing excellence and its workforce as a "mini

tures toner for photocopiers, cartridges, and

United Nations." The company, whose global thermal label stock, shipping approximately

headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan, has over 320 $120 million worth annually.

subsidiaries and affiliates across the globe,

"The company's strategy in recent decades

employing more than 67,000 people. In 1990 was to look at the globe and try to localize our

it decided to open a manufacturing facility on manufacturing so we would be closer to our

the East Coast to serve the majority of its U.S. customers. This makes it better in terms of our

market more effectively. Lawrenceville was

ability to compete with other manufacturers,

chosen for its location and workforce availability. and it also gives us a chance to establish a

Ricoh started its U.S. operations in

relationship with that community," explains

California in 1973 manufacturing desktop

Pierre. "Although we are a global company, we

calculators and cash registers. Now the

tend to support American suppliers and sell our

California facilities make fax machines, photo- products to American markets."

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

QUICK START IS GEORGIA'S PREMIER SOURCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

J A C K I E R O H O S K Y Quick Notes

Quick Start is here to serve and we are stronger than ever....

Our country and our state are facing chal-
lenges many of this generation of citizens have never known. For the first time in over a decade, the economy is in a recession and we are at war. Now, more than ever, we must be stalwart and creative in our efforts to keep Georgia's economy steady.
Flexibility is one of Quick Start's greatest assets. We are good at understanding what needs to be done and developing models for facing challenges head-on. As a new year begins, I want to assure our readers that Quick Start is here to serve and we are stronger than ever. Funding for serving existing industries, as well as those expanding or coming to Georgia for the first time, has made Quick Start even better equipped for rising to the difficult occasion of an economy threatened with recession and terrorism.

The good news is, enrollment at our technical colleges is up dramatically and Georgia was named Number One in workforce training by Expansion Management magazine in its October issue. As you will see in this issue of our newsletter, Quick Start continues to grow. Our services are having a positive impact all across the state--from Moultrie to Rome, from Columbus to Augusta, and everywhere in between.
JACKIE ROHOSKY Assistant Commissioner Economic Development Programs jrohosky@georgiaquickstart.org

HL-A of Bremen, Ga., recently was honored at Gov. Barnes's office when the company announced it had decided to concentrate all of its expansion efforts in the Georgia facility (rather than in Alabama) thanks to the excellent workforce training provided by Quick Start. (l-r) Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner, Economic Development Programs, DTAE; Hiroshi Nakamura, director, HL-A; Tetsuro Komaki, president, HL-A; June Kubo, project engineering coordinator, HL-A; and Mike Burnett, plant manager, HL-A.
Winter 2002 Volume 4, Number 1 Published quarterly by Georgia Quick Start Quick Start is a registered service mark of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education Kenneth H. Breeden, Commissioner www.georgiaquickstart.org Address comments and questions to: Director of Communications Georgia Quick Start 1800 Century Place, Atlanta, GA 30345 404/679-2915
2

Events
Quick Start Serves Companies Across State

Havertys .....................................
Georgia's own Havertys company, the retail furniture giant, broke ground for a new distribution center in Jackson County this past September. The 500,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed later this summer. The facility will employ 300 people. Pictured are (l-r) Steve Schingler, vice president, Havertys; Jim Steed, deputy commissioner, GDITT; Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner, Economic Development Programs, DTAE; Henry Braselton, mayor of Braselton; Randal Pugh, president, Jackson EMC; Jay Slater, president, Havertys; Harrold Fletcher, chairman, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce; Rawson Haverty Jr., senior vice president, Havertys; and Jack Rooker, contractor, Rooker & Associates.

ALPLA ........................................
A training plan signing was held with ALPLA Inc. in McDonough, Ga., this past August. The company will specialize in custom blow-molding of high precision plastic bottles for customers such as Clorox. Fifty people will be hired. Pictured are (l-r) Bob White, executive director, Henry County Executive Development Authority; Jeff Lynn, director, northern project operations, Quick Start; Kurt Berkman, senior vice president, ALPLA; and Ed Sherwood, director, corporate training and economic development, Clayton College and State University.

Shrimp Project Hatched in Perry
Gov. Roy Barnes was on hand for the launch of the Georgia Marine Shrimp Project in Perry this past fall. Quick Start was asked to document the shrimp farming process for this innovative new industry, which the governor hopes will help boost Georgia farmers' prospects for diversification. The event was held at the Cagle chicken processing plant in Perry, where the first shrimp are being raised.

Dempster......................................
Royce Glenn, Quick Start training coordinator, explains the features of the training plan signed recently with Dempster Equipment Company. Seated (l-r) are Dr. Ruth Nichols, president, North Georgia Technical College; Michael Bilthius, president, Dempster Equipment; and Jeff Lynn, director, northern project operations, Quick Start. The company, located in Toccoa, manufactures waste-handling equipment. Twenty-five new jobs were added at the facility.

3

A New Partner
Quick Start Salutes Laura Meadows

Cochran native Laura Meadows
recently was named commissioner of Georgia's Department of Community Affairs, bringing new energy and a profound appreciation for Georgia's potential to the table.
"I don't mean to be sentimental about this, but it really does seem as if I've been preparing for this job all my life," says the new commissioner, who oversees approximately 400 employees at the agency.
"I feel so blessed and appreciate this opportunity to serve Georgia. I feel very strongly that our state's success depends on a true partnership. We don't work in

a vacuum; our efforts with other state agencies, like DTAE; Industry, Trade & Tourism; and the Department of Labor-- and others--are interdependent. I want us to all share in the high quality of growth, planning, and implementation aspects of Georgia's economic well-being," says Meadows.
Meadows was appointed by Gov. Roy Barnes last fall and took office Oct. 15. Prior to becoming DCA commissioner, Meadows served as the first director of OneGeorgia in Dublin. Before serving OneGeorgia, Meadows worked for several years with USDA Rural Development out of its Athens office.
DCA oversees state and federal funding for economic development
across the state and works closely with local governments administering community
development block grants and employment incentive programs, as well as grants for buildings to house new or expanding businesses.

"But I want to emphasize that none of the work we do would pay dividends if Georgia did not have a trained workforce. It is absolutely critical, and Quick Start is such an excellent value to companies. Its ability to meet the needs of new and expanding companies quickly and effectively is unprecedented. I know of no other state that offers such an effective service," says Meadows.
As OneGeorgia director, the commissioner worked closely with Farmland in its decision to locate the National Beef facility in Moultrie. DCA put $2.1 million into the town for land acquisition, building improvements and infrastructure improvements, OneGeorgia provided $1.5 million for building renovation and equipment, and Quick Start helped train its initial workforce of 160 people.
Meadows holds a bachelor's degree from UGA and a master's degree in Public Administration from Brenau University. QS

"I want to emphasize that none of the work we do would pay dividends if Georgia did not
have a trained workforce. It is absolutely critical, and Quick
Start is such an excellent value to companies."
LAURA MEADOWS
COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

4

Settlement Benefits Moultrie and National Beef

At the National Beef grand opening in Moultrie (l-r): Bill Gandy, director, U.S. Case Ready Plants, National Beef; Marla Lowe, director, southern operations, Quick Start; and Steve Fleming, plant manager, National Beef.

The first manufacturer to benefit
from the tobacco-settlement money administered through the OneGeorgia Authority is a subsidiary of the giant cooperative Farmland called National Beef. Last year National Beef opened a meat packaging plant in Moultrie, and Quick Start provided pre-employment and technical job-specific training, and developed work aids.
Laura Meadows, now commissioner for the Department of Community Affairs, was executive director of OneGeorgia, which was charged with building economic capacity in rural areas of the state at the time of the Farmland decision to come to Moultrie. Meadows explains that one third of the tobaccosettlement funds is earmarked to help create jobs and diversify the economy in distressed areas.
Farmland, which is comprised of 1,700 local cooperatives representing 600,000 independent family farms in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, chose the Georgia site because of local and state support for bringing viable employment to a rural area of Georgia. Farmland is the largest farmer-owned cooperative in North America.
Steve Fleming, the plant's manager, explains that the Moultrie facility receives cuts of meat from Farmland in Kansas and then prepares and packages

the meat into smaller quantities for sale in retail stores across the South.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Farmland National Beef has sales in all 50 states and in 60 countries around the world. With offices in Argentina, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, and Switzerland, to name a few, the company has a presence across the globe.
The company started in 1929 as Union Oil Co. when six farmer-owned cooperatives joined forces to buy petroleum products. As the 20th century progressed, the group became a powerful force in agribusiness. In the early 1990s, it evolved into Farmland Food and expanded its emphasis on pork to include beef and grains.
Farmland products can be found in grocery stores across the United States. Its main outlets in Georgia include Super Target, Wal-Mart Supercenters, Bruno's, and Piggly Wiggly.
In addition to processing pork, beef, and catfish, Farmland has business lines in crop production, livestock feeds, petroleum, and grain processing; an extensive delivery system of rail cars, trucks, and trailers; and interests in dry cargo barges and ocean-going vessels. It lives up to its claim as a "farm-to-table global agribusiness company." Farmland is one of the top 200 companies on the Fortune 500 list. QS

Darrell Moore, president of Moultrie's Chamber of Commerce and director of the Development Authority, describes National Beef's decision to come to Moultrie as a "storybook example" of economic development.
"Everyone really pulled together on this one, from the governor's office, to the Rural Development Council, to OneGeorgia, to the Georgia Department of Labor, to the Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism and, of course, to Quick Start. We have been extremely pleased and are proud to have National Beef doing business here," says Moore.
The meat packagers were impressed with what Georgia had to offer and found Moultrie a willing host. They were able to use an existing building and create a first-class facility that will affect the whole area positively. Counties that worked together to bring National Beef to Moultrie, and who will provide its employee pool, include Brooks, Colquitt, Grady, Mitchell, and Thomas. All of these have been strong agricultural counties traditionally, but now a diverse industry base is helping their economies as well.
"We know how good Quick Start is and we're always bragging on it," says Moore, "but when the National Beef people showed their training plans to fellow management at their Pennsylvania facility, which happened to be opening about the same time, they realized this was really a unique and first-rate training tool unlike any that other states have to offer."

5

New Programs
Launching the Certified Warehousing and Distribution Specialist Program

The Certified Warehousing and
Distribution Specialist program grew from the needs of distribution employers in the Tift County area. The idea germinated at a monthly meeting of a plant managers' roundtable, sponsored by the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce. Continued workforce training emerged as a major concern.
James Chavez, president of the chamber, approached Quick Start with the businesses' needs and ideas. In partnership with the chamber, Moultrie Technical College, and roundtable members from Target, Heatcraft, Prestolite, and Orgill, Quick Start created the tailored warehousing and distribution certification program to meet those needs. Fourteen employees were certified in the first class, and plans are underway for a new group to begin training in January 2002.

Chavez is excited about the new program. "It's a wonderful opportunity to get people trained and help them get better jobs," he says. "We continually try

to address the needs of employers, and this program is part of our whole economic and workforce development strategy. We focus 80 percent of our time on existing industry; James Chavez this is one more tool in the toolbox to help existing businesses and employees."
"It's wonderful for everyone to be able to work in partnership like this and see such good results," says Carol Mathews, vice president for economic development at Moultrie Tech. QS

New Program Off to a Great Start

The Certified Warehousing and
Distribution Specialist program is a new initiative designed in direct response to what Georgia's businesses and industries requested to retrain incumbent employees and help them remain competitive.
The program helps participants reach new levels of skill and ingenuity in warehousing and distribution and will help develop a better prepared workforce. The first program certification was completed at the Tift Area Campus of Moultrie Technical College this past fall. Fourteen employees of area distribution centers, including Prestolite, Orgill, Target, and Heatcraft, participated in the 20-week course. Students received training in distribution-related topics, such as operations, job functions,

inventory

management,

and data

application, as

well as in gen-

eral business

topics, includ-

ing listening

skills, team-

work, positive

work ethics,

and plant safe-

ty.

Greg Phillips

Greg Phillips has seen first-hand the

benefits created for two of the compa-

nies involved in the inaugural course. He

was the plant manager at Heatcraft and

now is the general manager at Target's

distribution center in Tifton. "The abili-

ty to have local programs that are tailored to fit different business needs is great. It's also an incredible thing for the employees," he says. "This program allows employees who may not have the opportunity for a four-year degree to get advanced training. There is higher morale and a sense of success for the employees."
Phillips believes the broad perspective the program offers is important for employees. "They learn specific skills applicable to their jobs, but also what it takes to run a business. It's a great experience," he says. "People who took the course are wide-eyed and energetic and excited to be here." QS

6

Ricoh Electronics

CONTINUED FROM COVER

In Lawrenceville, Ricoh employs about 400 people when operations are at their peak. Pierre sees the company's relationship with Quick Start as a partnership, which started back in 1989 when Quick Start staff visited the California operations. The present facility celebrated its grand opening in 1990 and has since expanded three times. This represents a $90 million investment. The site contains enough acreage to double its capacity as the company grows.
"Quite frankly, Quick Start has contributed to our bottom line. Human resources are the most important aspect of our business, and Quick Start has been involved here from the very beginning. It has gone above and beyond our expectations in helping us train our workers and set up a model for us to use in our own in-house training. In addition, we are very pleased with Quick Start's ability and willingness to do follow-up work, an important part of any kind of training plan that often gets overlooked," explains Pierre.
Ricoh's U.S. operations philosophy aligns well with the Japanese work culture, and examples of this are numerous throughout the plant. The Japanese word "kaizen," which essentially means "continuous improvement," is seen at various workstations along with detailed visual aids on how to perform tasks and follow through on the job at hand.

"We may be happy, but we're never satisfied," says Pierre of the company's performance. They constantly strive for improvement, finding more efficient ways to carry out each task, whether it is cleaning a station or attaching caps to toner bottles. For the visitor, nowhere is this kind of care for systematic detail more obvious than in the company's team effort to have zero

"Quite frankly, Quick Start has

contributed to our bottom line..

It has gone above and beyond our

expectations in helping us train

our workers and set up a model for

us to use in our own in-house

training."

FRANTZ PIERRE

VICE PRESIDENT & DIVISION MANAGER

RICOH ELECTRONICS, INC.

waste disposed into landfills. An intricate, company-wide effort was started a few years ago to make the facility super efficient in terms of finding ways to recycle just about every single element of packaging and refuse.
"Our goal is to make our refuse a resource. We completed our Zero Waste to Landfill Project in one year with everyone's dedication and creative vision," says Pierre.

Diligence has paid off both in financial ways and in workflow. The five R's of recycling have profound meaning at Ricoh: Refuse unnecessary waste; Reduce generation of waste; Return unnecessary packaging materials to the supplier; Re-use materials to the maximum possible extent; and Recycle in our manufacturing processes to the maximum possible extent.
The REI Zero Waste to Landfill program has a display room for continuous education of employees and visitors that shows details of the ways individual production and/or work stations of the facility found ways to recycle hundreds of pieces of unusable material, from plastic ties to cardboard packaging. The Lawrenceville plant also is ISO 9001 and ISO 14000 certified.
This kind of team approach to every aspect of Ricoh's manufacturing process is what makes the facility run at top efficiency 24 hours a day, often seven days a week.
"We believe that if there is a problem, solve it now and permanently," says Pierre. "We use that solution as a model for other challenges. In this way we have accountability, we avoid procrastination in finding a solution or a more efficient way to do something, and we have a permanent resolution, not just a `fix.' Quick Start knows the value of this process and appreciates our dedication," says Pierre. QS

We're Number One!
Expansion Management magazine ranks Georgia #1 in the nation in workforce training. Citing Quick Start and Georgia's technical colleges, the magazine commended the state for its flexibility and foresight in working with businesses.
See Web site for further details: www.georgiaquickstart.org

7

Economic Development

GEDA Annual Meeting

The 38th annual conference of the
Georgia Economic Developers Association was held in Savannah, Ga., from September 19 through 21. The focus of this year's conference--Economic Developers as Leaders: Taking Georgia to the Top--reflected the continued efforts of state, community, and business leaders to work together and foster growth for Georgia.
The conference presented the opportunity for attendees to explore issues and challenges that face economic developers, and workshops were offered on several of these topics.
"Incentives/Grants/Loans: State Resources and How to Access Them" provided an overview of state and federal programs that are available to assist communities for economic development projects. "Future Natural Resources and Environmental Issues" featured a presentation and discussion to formulate policies for state and local regulations that will affect air, water, or land development. Another offered discussion on sustainable economic development through tourism.
These discussions offered representatives from all areas of economic development the chance to learn more about immediate needs and issues across the state. Community development authorities, chambers of commerce, business developers, and state industry representatives came together to trade success stories and ideas and to discuss ways to improve the processes of economic and workforce development.
Several speakers at the conference stressed the increasing importance of workforce development and the success of Georgia's Quick Start program in providing that development. Dr. Doug Bachtel, professor in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics at the University of Georgia, emphasized Quick Start's role in keeping Georgia's businesses competitive.
Georgia is the fourth fastest grow-

Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner, Economic Development Programs, DTAE, joins the discussion with keynote speaker (left), Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig, associate dean for corporate relations at the Goizueta Business School of Emory University, and DTAE's Commissioner Ken Breeden at the GEDA meeting in Savannah.

ing state in the country by population, but it has 40 counties with fewer than 10,000 residents each, which creates labor shortages. With these counties losing population, there are critical job training needs that must be met to keep industry going and growing. In the current slowing economy, these counties will face even tougher problems. As Bachtel said, "When the United States catches a cold, these areas get pneumonia. We have to educate people, so they can get and keep jobs."
R.K. Sehgal, commissioner of the Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism, cited the partnership between businesses, communities, and Quick Start as an essential part of the state's economic development efforts. "Before, we have mostly worked on bricks and mortar--buildings for companies and such. Now we are refocusing our efforts," he said. New industries (such as freshwater shrimping) and new emphasis on existing industries will expand the need for training and continued education. Sehgal thinks the state is up to the challenge. "We have a new generation of teachers," he said. "They are aware of

Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig (left) and GDITT commissioner R.K. Sehgal at GEDA.
economic development and the importance of creating jobs."
Dr. Ken Breeden, commissioner of the Department of Technical and Adult Education, thinks the need for workforce development will continue to increase and says Quick Start and the statewide technical college system will respond accordingly. "We had another great year, and our student growth curve accelerated dramatically," he said. "We've increased by eight to 10 percent for the past 10 years. Last year, we increased by 17 percent, which is phenomenal. Businesses need a skilled workforce, and we're helping provide the employees they need." QS

8

Partner's Perspective

GEDA Membership Wide and Diverse

Quick Start works closely with various organizations around the state to nurture economic health and find new and better ways to fulfill our mission. One organization that has been an important partner is the Georgia Economic Developers Association.
Cullen Larson is the executive director of GEDA, and we asked him to make some comments for this issue of our newsletter. He may be reached for further comments at clarson@georgia.org.
In the 1950s, industrial growth
spawned a variety of economic development organizations in the country, especially in the South. In 1959, about 15 Georgia industrial developers gathered for lunch meetings in Atlanta. This evolved into the Georgia Industrial Developers Association in 1963. Membership included 19 state and regional organizations. A decade later, the membership grew from fewer than 20 to 275 individual members. In 1993, the name was changed to Georgia Economic Developers Association to better reflect

the comprehensive character of economic development. Membership has since grown to approximately 1,000.
GEDA' s mission is to provide and promote networking and professional development opportunities for economic developers and to help shape economic development public policy in Georgia. Our biggest challenge now is to expand economic opportunity to all of Georgia, including rural counties, while answering the needs of core urban communities, as well as rapidly growing suburban and exurban areas. The task is a large one, given the rapid changes in Georgia's recent economic history and the diverse needs of the workforce necessary to make that growth sustainable.
In my opinion, workforce development and education are as essential as securing water quality and supply, making transportation improvements to ensure rural access, and creating ways to relieve metro congestion. Quick Start is an excellent example of our state's commitment to provide customer-focused service and support our employers. It has been one of Georgia's best incentives for recruiting new business investment, and, with continued support from Gov. Barnes and the General Assembly, Quick Start is now expanding to meet the growing needs of our existing industries.
As I see it, among Georgia's many strengths is the diversity of our economy, the high quality of our post-secondary

education and workforce development system, and the commitment of Georgia's professional economic developers to "service after the sale." By that I mean our willingness to be proactive and provide support in the retention and expansion of industries once they are established here. The work of economic development continues long after the ribbon-cuttings and happens in subtle ways that are not always made obvious in the media.
GEDA' s membership is wide and diverse. We are comprised of members from chambers of commerce and local development authorities, utility companies, state and local government agencies, numerous professionals, and educational systems, including the technical college system and the Regents system.
At a recent planning session, our current president, Ms.Willie Paulk of the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, led our board in an effort to define GEDA' s core mission and evaluate our services, functions, and committee structure. The three main areas of focus include encouraging networking, professional development, and the continuation of developing public policy agendas relevant to Georgia's economic growth.
We are proud to serve Georgia and believe Quick Start is a valuable tool in the state's effort to create varied and sustainable growth. QS

"GEDA's mission is to provide and promote

networking and professional development

opportunities for economic developers and to

help shape economic development public

policy in Georgia."

CULLEN LARSON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GEDA

9

Northwest Georgia
ATR Benefits from Quick Start's Existing Industry Program

Applied Thermoplastic Resources
in Cartersville was one of the first beneficiaries of the change in the Quick Start Law that allows Quick Start to work with existing industries that aren't necessarily expanding. Although ATR has expansion plans in its near future, what the Cartersville company really needed was an enhancement in its workforce training. And Quick Start was there to give the boost.
ATR, created in 1995 to take advantage of the raw materials generated by the carpet industry in Northwest Georgia, is a thermoplastic recycling company that specializes in nylon compounds. Put simply, ATR takes "leftovers" from the nearby carpet manufacturers and produces high quality nylon products for the plastics industry.
Dr. Ken Breeden, commissioner of the Department of Technical and Adult Education, was present for the training plan signing in August. He noted with appreciation that this was the first of the existing industry projects undertaken as a result of the support by the Georgia legislature for funding existing industry training through which the technical colleges--in this case North Metro Tech--and Quick Start could contribute their expertise to an incumbent workforce.
"This is exactly the type of industry we want to support," he said. "It's a Georgia manufacturing plant that exists symbiotically with one of the state's most significant manufacturing sectors: the carpet industry. This is a perfect marriage. We can use a workforce that is in place and ready to use waste and extras from nearby companies to turn that `waste' into something viable." QS

Above: Ken Breeden (left), commissioner of DTAE, tours the ATR plant with Doug Edmundson, vice president and general manager of the company. Right: David Holt (left), president and CEO of ATR, signs the training plan with Dr. Breeden and Doug Edmundson.
Rome Welcomes Pirelli Tire North America Corporation
Pirelli North American Corp. has located a $140 million technology research and development facility and tire manufacturing plant in Rome. Pictured here at the groundbreaking ceremony last fall are (l-r) Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner, Economic Development Programs, DTAE; Bill Fricks, chairman, Rome City Commissioners; Representative Paul Smith; Jim Steed, deputy commissioner, GDITT; Guellomo Ficchio, senior vice president and director, Pirelli Tire; John Mays, chairman, Floyd County Commissioners; Carlo Bianconi, president, Pirelli Tire North America; John Massey, chairman, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce; Antoinette Brahm, owner, Clean Air America; and Craig McDaniel, president, Coosa Valley Technical College.

10

Popular Suzuki ATV to be Made in Rome

Georgia is privileged to have been
chosen by the Suzuki Motor corporation to be the site of its only North American manufacturing plant. Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corporation broke ground in Rome, Ga., last March and signed a training plan with Quick Start and Coosa Valley Technical College late last summer. The facility, which will open in 2002, will begin making the popular Suzuki "Eiger" all terrain vehicle.
"I was overwhelmed by the area's abundant and beautiful nature, the frank people, and the county and city's heartfelt welcome," explained the company's president, Masaru Asahina.
"We selected Rome not only because of its many business and geographical advantages, such as good incentives and proximity to the ATV market, but also because of Georgia's support systems, especially the Quick Start training program and Coosa Valley Technical College, which provided us with temporary offices," he added.
Suzuki plans to begin production of the four-wheelers in 2002. This particular ATV model has a 400cc engine and is very popular with hunters and outdoorsmen throughout the United States. The

Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner, Economic Development Programs, DTAE, with Masaru Asahina, president, Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corporation.

Rome facility plans to make about 160 units per shift, employing approximately 155 people in the first year. Plans are to eventually increase that workforce to about 300 people.
Quick Start's relationship with Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corporation first began in December 2000. A Quick Start project team traveled to Toyokawa, Japan, to conduct a detailed study of the company's manufacturing process. Starting with raw materials received, the Quick Start team examined

every step of the process (including welding, painting, assembly, and product inspection), what tools are necessary, and the order of assembly. Material development started after the training plan signing in August. Quick Start also teaches a Japanese Cultural Awareness program for American and Japanese co-workers.
As of this writing, managers, supervisors, and team leaders have been hired and are in training. The company expects to have its first models off the production line early this spring. QS

Rome Benefits from Quick Start Services

Al Hodge, Greater Rome's Cham-
ber of Commerce president, believes that his city would be "reeling in this economy if it weren't for the new companies that have recently come here."
As Georgia feels the effects of the nation's economic uncertainty, cities like Rome will need to be creative and stalwart in their efforts to draw employers to the area. In the past year, Rome has been chosen by two major manufacturers-- Pirelli Tire North America Corporation and Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corporation--to be home to two large new facilities. And Hodge is grateful.

Scott Morris, director of economic development, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, was instrumental in the companies' decisions to come to Rome. He is pictured here (left) with Al Hodge, president and CEO of the Chamber.
Among other employers that Rome depends on are companies like F & P Georgia, Neaton Rome, Inland

Paperboard and Packaging, and nearby Jefferson Southern Corporation in Polk County, all of which have used the Georgia Quick Start program to help train their workforces.
"Quick Start is an effective bottomline incentive that helps to make the difference in securing new employers for Georgia. The quality of the program consistently receives high praise from those who have benefited from its services," says Hodge. "So thanks to DTAE and Coosa Valley Technical College for this selling tool!" QS

11

Far-Reaching Effects

DTAE Licenses Certification Programs to Wyoming

In the first interstate training
partnership of its kind for Georgia, the Department of Technical and Adult Education has licensed three of its training certification programs to the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) and the Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC).
"We are excited about the partnership. It will allow Wyoming to become a world class leader in workforce development," says Wyoming Business Council Chief Support Services officer, Peter Reis.
"We welcome the opportunity to work with Wyoming," says Dr. Ken Breeden, commissioner of DTAE. "Licensing the programs helps ensure quality control. When we were first approached concerning sharing these programs, we realized that, in a way, it would be irresponsible not to do so. These workforce development certification programs have been critical for Georgia; they can add significant value in other states, too."
DTAE licensed the following: Certified Customer Service Specialist providing a skilled workforce for service industries by training in cus-

Left: Quick Start welcomed Wyoming representatives to its offices in Atlanta. Right: Peter Reis, Wyoming Business Council Chief Support Services officer

tomer contact skills, personal effectiveness, business and computer skills, and the service industry environment. Certified Manufacturing Specialist providing manufacturing companies with qualified employees by focusing on skills necessary in the industry, from manufacturing and business principles to automated manufacturing skills. Certified Warehousing and Distribution Specialist providing current and new employees with core skills in warehousing and technology, in addition to warehousing and distribution processes.
Georgia's Gov. Roy Barnes says, "This agreement will help spread the

word about Georgia's excellent workforce training programs. Not only do they provide qualified and available workers for businesses, the programs help create better job opportunities for those certified. These kinds of partnerships will help support the future of our nation's economy."
Officials in Wyoming also have expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership. Wyoming's Gov. Jim Geringer says, "A qualified workforce is critical to economic development. These programs will provide proven, effective training for the citizens of Wyoming." QS

Plastics K 2001 Rated a Success for Georgia

The global marketplace for plastics
was clearly centered in Dusseldorf, Germany, for eight days this past fall. K 2001, the uncontested number-one event for the plastics industry, was conducted from Oct. 25 through Nov. 1. The show featured pioneering technological developments, process and production innovations, and design methods and trends that will set the course for this growing industry. Company presidents and CEOs, research and development professionals, trade and marketing specialists, and other decision-makers
12

attended this international trade show. Nearly 3,000 exhibitors came from 53 countries and the 230,000 trade visitors were from more than 100 countries. K 2001 was truly an international event. And Georgia was there.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism, Georgia's technical colleges and Quick Start showcased opportunities for growth and expansion in Georgia and promoted Georgia products overseas. With an exhibit-booth theme of Georgia USA, the goal was to enhance

the state's image within the industry and attract plastics companies to Georgia. "Important contacts were made with companies from all over the world with interest in expanding into U.S. markets and in Georgia locations," according to Bill Thielemann, Quick Start director of plastics training and exhibit-booth coordinator. Follow-up action is now underway to develop those contacts. Expanding markets for Georgia companies and international awareness of opportunities within the state could well make Georgia the big winner at K 2001. QS

Workforce Training: Adding New Life to Georgia's Existing Industries

Last year the Georgia State Legisla-
ture allocated $1 million to allow Quick Start to serve existing industries, a step that will have dramatic positive benefits across the state. In the past, Quick Start was limited to assisting industries that were new to Georgia or adding employees. But in 2001, thanks to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the state legislature, and the Georgia Rural Development Council, who supported Quick Start in this new direction, Quick Start was provided with the funding to serve existing companies in the effort to retain workers.
Since July 2001, Quick Start has broadened its delivery of services to numerous established clients and has helped energize employers who are not necessarily adding new jobs, but who are in serious need of upgrading employees' skills to meet the new demands in the workplace. This will have a profound effect on Georgia's rural communities specifically, and, as can be seen on the map, this is a broad-based effort.
As of this writing, Quick Start has been able to start projects with more than 20 existing industries. The first was Applied Thermoplastic Resources in Cartersville (see story on p. 10), which recycles product leftovers from the nearby carpet industry. Since then other "home-grown" companies like Woodbury Box in Thomaston and the Blue Bird Bus Corporation in Fort Valley have initiated retraining programs.
The companies noted here employ more than 10,000 Georgians. In our current volatile economy, it is no wonder established companies are grateful for the legislature's decision to allow Quick Start to work its magic in upgrading skills and preparing employees for new demands. Known nationally for its flexibility and quick response to industry needs, Quick Start is on new turf at the home playing field. QS

I Applied Thermoplastic Resources I Bayer Corporation I Blue Bird Bus Corporation I Blue Bird Bus Corporation I Chemical Products Corporation I Delphi Automotive I Fabritex I Freundenburg-NOK I GNB Technology I Heatcraft I Inland Paperboard and Packaging I Keebler Company I Lynch Systems I Morrison Products I Mount Vernon Mills I Piolax I Pliant I Purafil I Rockwell Automation I Wanderlodge I Woodbury Box

Cartersville Columbus Fort Valley Lafayette Cartersville Fitzgerald Hartwell White County Columbus Tifton Rome Macon Bainbridge Canton Trion Canton Wilkes County Doraville Dublin Fort Valley Thomaston

13

Fiscal Year 2001
Quick Start's Banner Year 2001
Projects
From 2000 to 2001, the number of Quick Start projects increased from 279 to 296. Of the 296 projects, 121 were with new projects and 175 were expansion projects. FY 01 is the ninth consecutive year in which the number of expansion projects exceeded new projects.
Trainees
The number of trainees for new and expanding companies increased by 3,803 (10.7 percent) this year, from 35,613 in FY 00 to 39,416. Due to the complexity of today's jobs, most employees require training in multiple skill tracks. This year's number of trainees set another record for Quick Start.
14

Training Is Our Business
Geographic Distribution
More than half of Quick Start's projects and more than 40 percent of trainees were with companies in rural Georgia.
Quick Start's International Reach
In FY 01, Quick Start supported 65 new and expanding international projects.
15