Middle Georgia Technical College

Frito-Lay Perry Named Manufacturer of the Year

Atlanta - Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue presented Frito-Lay’s Perry facility with this year’s award for Georgia Manufacturer of the Year in the large company category. Frito-Lay, nominated for the award by Middle Georgia Technical College and the Houston County Development Authority, joined the Boeing Company in Macon and Elberton’s Star Granite and Bronze as the state’s top three manufacturers of the year.

The annual awards ceremony, held Thursday, April 15, is the highlight of Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week, which is co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. This year, more than a thousand business leaders were in attendance at the ceremony held at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.

Over 120 Frito-Lay employees from the Perry facility were in attendance to be recognized for their contribution to the company's success.

"It's a great honor to accept this award. The employees here today are the heroes," said Bob Crain, Frito-Lay's southeastern regional vice president of operations, accepting the award for his company. "We share this with the 1,200 more people still making your favorite chips as we speak."

He acknowledged the business-friendly environment in Georgia, and the support of state and local organizations such as Quick Start and Middle Georgia Technical College.

"The relationship we have with the State of Georgia, and their support for the manufacturing community, could not be any better."

Frito-Lay has been a vital part of Houston County for the past 22 years. The facility opened in 1988 with two production lines and 150 employees. Today, after hundreds of millions of dollars investment in six major expansions, more than 1,300 people work on 12 production lines in Perry.

Frito-Lay Perry's success lies in its associates, who have helped the operation earn numerous industry awards, including a consistent rating by OSHA as one of the Safest Workplaces in North America, a classification achieved by less than 1 percent of all U.S. facilities in every industry.

The Frito-Lay Perry team has been in the forefront of environmental sustainability, with initiatives such as constructing LEED-certified buildings, recycling heat, energy, and waste, and implementing a zero-landfill initiative. By working with Quick Start and Middle Georgia Technical College, the Frito-Lay facility has been able to install new warehouse technologies to increase efficiency, stay competitive, and ensure the longevity of its operation in Georgia.

The Houston County community is appreciative of the company's contributions. Last year, the Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce presented Frito-Lay Perry with the first-ever Regional Community Leadership Award.

In proclaiming April 12 - 16 Manufacturing Appreciation Week, Gov. Sonny Perdue noted the tremendous contribution manufacturing makes to the state's economic well-being. More than 9,000 manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, according to the proclamation, and they provide 408,427 jobs and contribute more than $100 billion to the state's economy each year.

Frito Lay Perry has a long-standing partnership with Middle Georgia Technical College. Through several Quick Start training projects, and most recently, the development of a co-op program for Industrial Systems Technology students, MGTC and Frito Lay work together to improve the educational and economic opportunities in the middle Georgia area.

Middle Georgia Technical College works closely with local businesses and industries to provide quality economic and workforce development. The Economic Development Services department at MGTC offers customized and industry-specific training, continuing education courses, contract training, and Quick Start services. For more information regarding MGTC's services for local business and industry, call 478.988.6852 or log on to www.middlegatech.edu. For more information on Georgia's Manufacturing Appreciation Week, visit www.georgiamaw.org.