Augusta Technical College suggested GIW for the prestigious award recognizing the contributions of manufacturing companies to the Georgia economy.

GIW Industries, the leader in the design, manufacture and application of heavy duty, centrifugal slurry pumps, announced that it was nominated by Augusta Technical College for Georgia Manufacturer of the Year. Every year, the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development honor three manufacturing companies in small, medium, and large categories. GIW was nominated in the medium-sized company category; Quad/Graphics received the award at a ceremony April 19.

“It was certainly an honor for us to be chosen for this award, considering how many manufacturing businesses are in the area. There is a lot of industry here, and Augusta Technical College chose us. We’re very, very proud of that,” says Michael Jacobs, learning and organizational development manager at GIW.

The Manufacturer of the Year award recognizes outstanding corporate values, significant economic impact on the state of Georgia, and overall workforce excellence. GIW exemplifies each of these values.

The economic impact of GIW on the Grovetown community is far reaching. GIW has been in Grovetown for 48 years and employs 440 people there and 60 in Thomson. Combined, GIW is responsible for a $25 million annual payroll in the region.

GIW makes a serious commitment to the community as well. Julie’s House, the American Heart Association, the United Way, and the Golden Harvest Food Bank are just a few of the charitable organizations that GIW supports regularly. GIW staff members also frequently attend career fairs at the local schools to inform students about the career opportunities that manufacturing industries offer. GIW professionals also steer students toward education that would assist them in preparing for employment.

To nurture its employees and create an exceptional workforce, GIW offers tuition reimbursement benefits. In addition, GIW has a partnership with the University of Phoenix that allows employees to take courses and bill GIW directly for the tuition. It’s important to GIW to have employees who are continually learning and improving their skills.

There are nearly 9,500 manufacturing facilities in Georgia, and GIW is honored to be nominated as the Georgia Manufacturer of the Year. GIW is also pleased to be associated with any program that supports the growth and development of manufacturing companies in the U.S.

About GIW Industries
GIW Industries began as a small foundry and machine shop in Augusta, Ga., in 1891. In 1914, GIW began building slurry pumps. Today, the company comprises two manufacturing facilities, one in Grovetown, Ga., and the other in Thomson, Ga. These foundries and machine shops are used for manufacturing and assembling pumps and for casting a variety of abrasion-resistant alloys and urethane elastomers. As a subsidiary of KSB AG of Germany, a global pump and valve manufacturer, GIW has the infrastructure to supply pumps worldwide. KSB has presence in 100 countries with sales organizations, offices and 30 manufacturing sites.