Company Lauded for its Efforts to Build Stronger Economy, Communities

(Carrollton, Ga - April 3, 2013) - Heralding the company’s innovation, commitment to quality and community building efforts, Georgia officials today honored Southwire Company as large manufacturer of the year as part of the statewide Manufacturing Appreciation Week.

Hosted by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Technical College System of Georgia, the annual awards recognize the state’s top manufacturers in small, medium and large categories, based in employment. Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle presented the awards.

“Thanks to the state of Georgia. This is a terrific place to be headquartered and to have our largest factories and distribution centers,” said Southwire president and CEO Stu Thorn, who accepted the award with Southwire Vice Chairman Lee Richards, son of company founder Roy Richards, Sr. “Georgia has a world-class education system, including some of the best technical colleges and universities in the country. The weather is great, the people are welcoming and the culture fits perfectly with our family values.”

“On behalf of my 5,500 coworkers, thanks to the Richards for allowing us to be part of the extended family,” Thorn added, also thanking Southwire’s people for their efforts to make the company a top manufacturer. “This award is yours. You’re the ones who earned it.”

Officials highlighted Southwire’s education and workforce development partnerships - including 12 for Life, the Southwire Engineering Academy, the Southwire Center for Manufacturing Excellence and the Southwire Sustainable Business Honors Program - as evidence its commitment to building stronger communities. The company also was recognized for its Project GIFT team of employee volunteers, as well as its annual Back-to-School supply giveaway, which reached some 5,000 students on 2012.

“We love the process of manufacturing, and we love manufacturing here in Georgia,” Richards said. “Georgia has provided us with the right environment in which to grow our business and, more importantly, Georgia has provided us with a wonderful workforce. On behalf of my siblings, thank you for this award.”

Southwire, based in Carrollton, Ga., was recognized along with its Douglas, Ga. plant for its “commitment to innovation, empowerment and excellence,” according to the remarks read when the award was announced. The company was nominated by West Georgia Technical College in Carrollton and Wiregrass Technical College in Douglas. Southwire also has two distribution centers in Villa Rica, Ga. and plans to open new manufacturing plants in Douglas and Villa Rica this year.

The other award winners announced at today’s ceremony were Nordson Corporation in Swainsboro (151-500 employees) and DIRTT Environmental Solutions in Savannah (150 employees or fewer).

- Gary Leftwich