SMG completes its expansion

expansion For folks who saw our Business Monthly section published in Wednesday’s edition, you know all about the recent expansion of Southern Manufacturing Group and the $389,000 no-interest loan the company received from USDA Rural Development. Even though I reported on that story for Business Monthly, it’s so rare that a local business expands that I wanted to take a tour of the addition for myself. SMG owner Ray Jones was kind enough to show me around Friday morning and I remain well-impressed with his operation. In this day of the global economy, SMG exports its valves and automotive parts to a number of different countries. And the company is actively pursuing more customers in other countries. Ray’s plans are to add more lines, add more customers and add more employees. Now that’s a strategy to get excited about. SMG has pretty well moved into its 19,000-square-foot addition and that will be the SMG Value portion of the business. The existing facility will be SMG Automotive. Ray said the goal is to increase his workforce to 60 employees in 2009. I think County Executive John Pelham said it best when he said, ‘It’s not just about recruiting new industry, it’s about growing your existing industry too.’ The simple truth of the matter is jobs are hard to come by. And while other companies are downsizing, SMG is growing. Just like Morrison Tool & Fab built itself up to become a major employer in this county, SMG is following a similar path. I wish Ray and his crew continued success.