Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech hosted a Manufacturing Growth lunch and learn series named Making Automation Part of Your Strategic Plan at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College on Thursday, January 31.

Nearly 50 local manufacturing industry leaders heard from Tom Sammon, Project Manager at GaMEP to learn more about automation and how they can integrate it into their plant’s culture.  Sammon also spoke to the group on using technology to enhance standard work and quality checklist, learning how digital manufacturing technology is changing industrial robotics and how to consider robotics in a new way, including new technology and safety regulations.

“These types of series are specifically designed to provide educational and networking opportunities to help manufactures and industrial leaders reach their goals,” said Hank Hobbs, GaMEP Regional Manager, South.

The group also toured the new mechatronics facility at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Campus and saw a live demo of a collaborative robot.

"We are proud to partner with Georgia Tech, the Business Retention Action Team, and our local manufacturers as we all strive to achieve a common mission: Developing a highly-skilled workforce for South Georgia." shared Joe Sumner, Wiregrass Associate Vice President of Program Development.

“We like hosting these series to showcase the work that is being done and provided by the educational systems to enhance the quality and skills of our local workforce that is needed in today’s industrial climate,” said Stan Crance, Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Project Manager and Existing Industry Coordinator.

This series was sponsored by Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and the Valdosta Lowndes County Development Authority Business Retention Action Team (BRAT).