Fabricated Metal

Forging Success for Georgia's Manufacturers

Why Georgia for Fabricated Metal

Georgia’s fabricated metal industry is a major supplier to key industries around the state such as automotive, aerospace, energy and construction equipment. As these industries grow, the fabricated metal industry expands its employment and gross state product (GSP) to keep up with the demand.

Strong manufacturing and construction industries
Well-developed R&D market
Highly-skilled workers
Renowned workforce training program
Excellent accessibility to market
Business-friendly environment

DIRTT Success Story

1,544

Fabricated Metal Manufacturing Locations

Georgia Department of Labor 2023.2Q

2nd

State for Growth in # of Professionals

Lightcast 2023.4Q

$3.9B

Fabricated Metal GRP

Lightcast 2023.4Q

Recent Fabricated Metal Locations in Georgia

Over the last five years, fabricated metal companies have continued to grow and expand in Georgia. Surges in electric vehicle manufacturing operations in the Southeast will drive supplier migration to the region.

Home Manufacturer ADMARES to Create Over 1,400 Jobs in Ware County

In May 2023, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that ADMARES, which specializes in industrialized manufacturing of buildings and homes, plans to construct its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Waycross, Georgia. The company expects to create over 1,400 new jobs and invest $750 million in Ware County.

“In addition to exploring opportunities in other states, Waycross, Georgia, is an ideal location for a transportation hub with easy access to major highways and extensive rail connections. Its proximity to the Port of Brunswick, one of the busiest ports on the eastern seaboard, offers a competitive advantage for global trade. Waycross' strategic location and robust infrastructure make it an attractive destination for us in the region.”

Mikael Hedberg, Founder and CEO of ADMARES

Source: "Home Manufacturer ADMARES to Create Over 1,400 Jobs in Ware County," Georgia.org, 5.31.2023

Industry Snapshot

Georgia’s fabricated metal companies manufacture everything from building materials to metal cans to composites used in transportation equipment and jewelry. Fabricated metal manufacturers seeking to expand or locate in Georgia can rely on the state’s robust and growing manufacturing and construction industries to drive demand for their products.

Top sectors include:

Architectural & Structural Metal Product
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt
Other Fabricated Metal Product

Top Employers

Major heavy equipment manufacturers as well as prominent suppliers make up Georgia's largest fabricated metal employers.

Southwire: 3,135 employees
Caterpillar Inc: 2,100 employees
Kubota: 2,400 employees
ADMARES: 1,400 employees
Meggitt Polymers & Composites: 1,100 employees
Textron Specialized Vehicles: 1,100 employees
Hitachi: 1,020 employees

36,200

Fabricated Metal Industry Jobs

Lightcast 2023.4Q

7th

State for Growth in Talent Base

Lightcast 2023.4Q

$18.56

Median Hourly Earnings

Lightcast 2023.4Q

Quality Talent for Less

Georgia is known for its high-quality affordable workforce. Wage rates in the state typically fall below the national average, particularly in manufacturing occupations. The state’s fabricated metal manufacturing wages are no exception.

Projected growth of 18% in fabricated metal manufacturing industry employment over the next decade compared to 5% nationally
Median hourly earnings of $18.56 compared to $21.10 nationally (based on top 21 fabricated metal staffing pattern occupations)

89k

Metal Fab Related Graduates (2018-2022)

IPEDS Completions Data, Lightcast 2023.4Q

#1

Leading Workforce Training Program

Area Development, 2023

22

Technical Colleges

TCSG, 2023

The People and Support Needed to Succeed

Georgia's high concentration of degree-seeking students and top-tier colleges and universities make the state one of the country’s richest in top-level talent. These institutions also offer companies access to cutting-edge research and development partnerships.

Since 2012, there has been a 7% increase in the number of graduates skilled in supporting Georgia's fabricated metal manufacturing operations.
Georgia Tech ranks 2nd for engineering R&D funding nationally and has benefited from a 79% uptick in engineering R&D funding since 2012.