Young Workers Flock To Savannah For Manufacturing Jobs
Savannah is one of the most attractive markets for young workers seeking employment in manufacturing, according to a new nationwide study.
This week LinkedIn released their 2024 Kickstarting Your Career Report which shines the spotlight on the fastest-growing job markets for entry-level positions.
In the ranking of Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities for recent college graduates to launch their careers, Savannah is ranked fifth nationwide and third in terms of manufacturing job growth.
Savannah reported 10.6% year-over=year growth in the number of manufacturing new hires in 2023. Only Tucson (16%) and Chattanooga (10.9%) posted larger gains in new hires in the manufacturing sector.
The Savannah Area Chamber’s 2024 Economic Trends report gives a great overview of the industry growth and major manufacturers in the Savannah CSA (Combined Statistical Area) which encompasses Hinesville, Statesboro and other cities in a 7-county region.
According to the report, the Top 10 manufacturers in the Savannah CSA are:
1. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 2. SNF 3. JCB 4. Georgia-Pacific Savannah River Mill 5. Rayonier Advanced Materials 6. Briggs & Stratton 7. Great Dane Trailers 8. Georgia Transformers 9. Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant 10. International Paper
In addition to Savannah, two Florida cities cracked LinkedIn’s Top 10 list of most attractive markets for recent college graduates. Tallahassee is ranked #2 nationwide for the high number of government job opportunities while Gainesville is ranked #3 for the large number of new hire opportunities in education.
For the full Top 10 list and more recommendations for new hires seeking employment after graduation, check out the full 2024 report from LinkedIn.
Raytheon Expanding Rocket Motor Production In Florida
This week U.S. defense contractor Raytheon announced that the company plans to expand production of solid rocket motors by entering a partnership with a Norwegian company that already has an established operation in Florida.
Nammo is an international aerospace and defense company headquartered in Norway. Nammo has 27 production facilities in 11 countries including the United States where Nammo operates 7 facilities including one in Perry, Florida.
Nammo President & CEO Morten Brandtzaeg emphasized the importance of the partnership with Raytheon and the impact on the North Florida economy when the expanded Perry facility opens in 2027:
“We are proud to build upon our established solid rocket motor capabilities in Norway for expansion into the U.S., with the strong commitment from Raytheon as a merchant supplier. We look forward to building on this at our site in Perry, Florida” – Nammo President & CEO Morten Brandtzaeg
Southern Wall Products Announces New Manufacturing Facility
This week Southern Wall Products, the Georgia-based manufacturer of finishing and decorating materials for the building trade, announced the company plans to expand operations with a new facility just across the Georgia line.
Southern Wall Products has chosen Anderson County in South Carolina as the site of a new, $23 million facility that will manufacture finishing and decorating products under the company’s Ruco label.
Southern Wall Products President Chris Winkler expressed enthusiasm over the opportunity to expand the company’s Ruco label manufacturing capabilities and better serve customers here in the Southeast:
“Southern Wall Products has been building communities since 1981. We’re excited for this next chapter for our company, our employees, their families and calling Anderson home to our new South Carolina facility.” -Southern Wall Products President Chris Winkler
The new manufacturing facility will be located at 1632 Pearman Dairy Road just 3 miles south of Interstate 85 and approximately 110 miles northeast of Southern Wall Products’ headquarters in Tucker, Georgia.
SkyWater Florida Achieves DOD Accreditation
This week SkyWater Technology, a U.S.-owned semiconductor manufacturer with manufacturing facilities in Minnesota and Florida, announced the receipt of an important accreditation for its Floirda facility from the Defense Department.
According to the official press release, SkyWater’s “advanced packaging operation in Florida has been accredited as a Category 1A Trusted Supplier by the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). This prestigious designation furthers SkyWater’s dedication to delivering trusted and secure microelectronics manufacturing for critical defense applications.”
The facility SkyWater owns and operates in Minnesota originally achieved DMEA Category 1A Trusted status in 2010 and was re-accredited when SkyWater was founded in 2017.
SkyWater has embarked on an aggressive build-out of its Florida facility thanks in part to a five-year, $190 million DOD contract that was awarded to Osceola County where SkyWater’s Florida facility is located in Kissimmee.
Cemex Adopting Solar Power At Georgia Plant
This week global building materials company Cemex announced that the company has entered into a long-term agreement with Georgia Power to secure solar power for its Clinchfield Cement Plant outside of Perry.
According to the official press release, “the Clinchfield Cement Plant will secure approximately 25 percent of its power requirements from solar facilities throughout the state beginning in 2025. Cemex expects the use of solar generated power at the Clinchfield Cement Plant to offset about 10,000 metric tons of indirect CO2 emissions per year.”
Cemex US Senior Vice Presient Ernesto Felix says the Georgia Power partnership is an important step toward Cemex’ goal of becoming a net-zero CO2 company by 2050:
“Embracing solar power not only accelerates our own aggressive sustainability goals but also sets a powerful example for the entire industry. By integrating renewable energy solutions through Georgia Power, Cemex paves the way for a greener, more resilient future for generations to come.” -Ernesto Felix, Cemex US Sr. Vice President
Contact CII Today
If you own an established manufacturing business in Florida or Georgia and would like to get a better understanding of the current market value of your company and important steps you can take today to maximize that value, get in touch with a CII business advisor today.