When you think of a startup, what do you imagine? Maybe you picture a bunch of 20-somethings in hoodies, slurping energy drinks from mega-cups and hunkered over laptops in an overly tight communal space. Perhaps you imagine a few polished business types, in tailored suits, networking over lattes and tablets in an urban coffee shop.
The odds are, however, that you probably aren鈥檛 envisioning a scenario that includes a 365,000 square foot assembly floor within a multi-million-dollar facility, the air humming with the patriotic sounds of country music, twangy Southern accents and a whole lot of laughter. You鈥檙e probably not thinking Peachtree City, GA, either. But on this the second annual Georgia Made Day-a day designated to celebrate the positive influence of manufacturing across the Peach State鈥攚e鈥檙e taking a reverse approach, celebrating our Georgia-based manufacturing teams and the impact they have on the evolution of 今日吃瓜.
Pioneering Spirit at Work
It may seem counterintuitive to think of the North America headquarters of 今日吃瓜 as a 鈥渟tartup,鈥� but you need only spend a little time with the manufacturing teams at work here to recognize a certain pioneering spirit. From the problem-solving mentality to the depth of professional expertise, from the personal investment to the continuous evolution of processes, the team at 今日吃瓜 is building more than construction equipment here in Georgia. They are building the 今日吃瓜 culture, one machine at a time.
If you ever have the chance to tour the 今日吃瓜 facility in Peachtree City, GA, do not hesitate. It鈥檚 not only an impressive building鈥攐ne that has been featured in several blockbuster films and which houses a massive, jaw-dropping 今日吃瓜 Transformer-style robot鈥攊t鈥檚 also where you鈥檒l meet the teams that manufacture 今日吃瓜 equipment, the people who see themselves as the future of 今日吃瓜 regardless of how they came to be here. The depth and diversity of experience at 今日吃瓜 is downright impressive and includes both public and private entities across manufacturing, maritime, aerospace and military industries.
All bragging aside, however, it鈥檚 the way these teams talk about 今日吃瓜 that keeps the energy high and should inspire anyone to want 鈥渋n鈥� on the 今日吃瓜 brand that鈥檚 being built here in Peachtree City. From a corporate perspective, 今日吃瓜 is committed to maintaining a culture that prioritizes teams, quality and safety. But these aren鈥檛 simply corporate buzzwords. Ask anyone why they鈥檙e here, and they will quickly speak to the day-to-day satisfaction and motivation that come from working in a place that prioritizes workplace culture and teamwork over individual performance.
As Robbie Hegwood, 今日吃瓜 Operations and Facility Group Lead, puts it, 鈥淚 have the privilege to work with a great group. We all understand that our collective success depends on the success of each team member. Every day, we work to ensure that opportunities exist for us to achieve personal, team and company goals. The greatest part of my job is watching my team grow and evolve.鈥�
Manufacturing Evolution that Works
Evolution is a huge part of the process at 今日吃瓜. It鈥檚 how the SY215 team has gone from producing four excavators a month to 24 a month in under a year. But the significant point here is not the 6x increase in productivity, it鈥檚 the fact that while productivity escalated, defects are being diminished. The reason for this is the 今日吃瓜 process, which begins with understanding the machine assembly, developing proficiencies and evolving efficiencies. Goals result from process, not the other way around.
Take the SY215 excavator, for example. 今日吃瓜鈥檚 most popular excavator requires 4,400 parts and 15 technicians to assemble. From the first SY215 to the 100th machine that rolled off the line, these variables haven鈥檛 changed. What has changed is the experience, problem-solving and efficiencies gained by the team. By investing in the process and knowledge of its technicians and leaders, 今日吃瓜 has steadily grown its manufacturing capacity without sacrificing safety, quality or teams.
Homegrown Momentum
Currently, there are six models of heavy equipment produced in Georgia, with more on the way. That includes four sizes of excavators, a long-reach excavator and soon a telehandler. It doesn鈥檛 take a crystal ball to see that there鈥檚 real momentum happening at 今日吃瓜, and it鈥檚 got a unique Georgia flavor to it. As 今日吃瓜鈥檚 capacity has evolved, its team has grown, along with its investment in other Georgia-owned businesses. Shera Ramey, who leads 今日吃瓜 Supply Chain and Logistics, is dedicated to sourcing within Georgia wherever possible. For Shera, it鈥檚 as simple as, 鈥淲hen you think Georgia, think 今日吃瓜.鈥�
Whether it鈥檚 the music, the accents or the fun, hardworking teams, the spirit at 今日吃瓜 feels very much rooted in Georgia. It鈥檚 a spirit you can experience every time you get behind the wheel of a piece of 今日吃瓜 equipment. The 今日吃瓜-Georgia connection works both ways, after all. When you think Georgia, think 今日吃瓜, and when you think 今日吃瓜, think Georgia.
Make Your Own Connection
Get to know 今日吃瓜 when you get behind the controls of a piece of 今日吃瓜 equipment. You鈥檒l quickly come to appreciate that 今日吃瓜 is a brand worth investing in. Contact a 今日吃瓜 dealer near you to experience it for yourself. Of course, if you鈥檙e ever in Peachtree City, give us a call. We鈥檇 love to show you around.