View this email in your browser

In This Issue

1. A Message From Our CEO
2. 2026 GAM Events
3. 2025 Year in Review
4. Manufacturing Georgia News
5. Lockton Workforce Priorities Survey - Respond by Dec 19
6. Legislative & Public Policy Council Update
7. Environmental Quality Council Update
8. Operational Excellence Council Update
9. New Member Spotlight: Siemens
10. NAM Update

Value Multiplied: GAM’s Advocacy and Our Industry

I have spoken a lot this year about GAM’s 125 years of continuous advocacy for Georgia manufacturers. And for good reason.

It is important for the public to know that we are the voice of Georgia manufacturing, and the only association in the state dedicated exclusively to our industry. But it is doubly important they know about the value of manufacturing and the need to keep our industry strong.

What is Georgia manufacturing’s value proposition? Consider these facts: 

• We employ roughly 425,000 people and provide above-average salaries and benefits
• Our makers generate nearly $80 billion in annual economic output
• Manufacturing represents about 10% of the state’s gross regional product
• Just 5.8 manufacturing jobs are required to generate $1 million in economic value compared to 7.7 for the transportation industry and 16.9 for retail trade
• $1 dollar spent in manufacturing adds $2.79 to the Georgia economy — the highest multiplier of any industry
• Manufacturing factories represent the largest share of “anchor businesses” in the state at 22%; these are businesses with at least 1,000 employees at a single location. Georgia’s manufacturing facilities literally serve as economic anchors —and principally for rural communities, providing employment and investment for decades.

Considering the evolution of our industry from its modest beginnings to today’s powerhouse industry with all 21 industrial subsectors now present in the state, manufacturing serves as one of the biggest pistons in Georgia’s economic engine. 

No doubt, the people who founded GAM in 1900 would be proud of what they set in motion. But they would also be proud of the innovations the Association developed and implemented in this year of celebration. Here’s the list of innovative GAM “first evers” from 2025:

• GAM Day in the State Capitol – a date dedicated just for GAM and the industry
• Development of our new Operational Excellence (OE) Council and OE Conference — enabling manufacturers to convene and share best practices on the operational issues that matter most
• Manufacturers’ Playoffs – a “March Madness” contest for manufacturers designed to promote the incredible array of products made in the state
• Washington DC “Fly In” – GAM staff and members went to DC to take our message about the value of Georgia manufacturing to our state’s Congressional leaders
• Launch of Manufacturing Georgia – a revolutionary digital platform that aims to grow the manufacturing labor pool by creating a network with emerging talent
• Insights Report – a 110-page document that tells the story of the past, present and future of our industry; there is no report like it.

Our members have told us GAM is on the right track. We conducted an all-member satisfaction survey to get feedback, and 100% of our members said they would recommend membership in GAM to other manufacturers. Our post-conference member surveys delivered an aggregate score of approximately 4.9 out of 5 on the satisfaction scale. And the attendance at our events was robust: In fact, the turnout for our fall conference produced the largest registration we have recorded in the past five years.

It has been a remarkable year for a remarkable industry poised to deliver even more value to Georgia for decades to come. Your association is proud to lead.

All the best,

Make Plans to Join Us In 2026

Looking ahead to the new year, we’re excited about what’s in store for our Association. Once again, GAM is thrilled to offer a dynamic lineup of member events and engagement. Here’s a sample list, with much more to come — so stay tuned!

*In person. August Energy Council will meet at Energy Summit.

All Council meeting dates are subject to change.

2025 GAM Year In Review: A look at some of the highlights

From the Capitol to the factory floor, 2025 was a year of real momentum for Georgia manufacturers, with high-signal events, policy wins, and new programs that moved the needle on costs, talent, and competitiveness. Highlights include signature conferences, roundtables, plant tours, the inaugural Manufacturers’ Playoffs, and targeted energy and workforce initiatives that delivered measurable results.

Click the link below to see the full year in review, photos, and the stories behind each milestone.

MISSION TRIP: Sharing the Gospel of Manufacturing Georgia

The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity as I stepped in to shepherd GAM’s workforce development efforts. While this has meant a shift in my day-to-day work, it’s also an extension of what I’ve been doing since I first joined GAM: spreading the gospel of manufacturing.

I’ve been traveling around the state talking about Manufacturing Georgia. Spoken to high schoolers in Forsyth County. Engaged manufacturers in Macon. Met workforce peers in Athens. Presented to Work Based Learning instructors in Buford. After all those miles I can say one thing for certain: We have a long way to go to change the perception of our industry.

But the good news is that our converts are growing — and we’re gaining disciples every day.

When teenagers hear about the wide variety of careers in manufacturing, their ears perk up. When teachers see partnerships forged with local businesses to train high school students from any background, they engage. When local officials realize all the ways manufacturing benefits their community, they seek us out.

This is why Manufacturing Georgia is a key component of GAM’s workforce strategy. The platform brings attention to modern manufacturing, giving your company a chance to broadcast who you are, what you do, and why your business is an attractive career destination for a new generation of employees. It also simplifies your hiring process — cutting through the noise to bring you informed candidates that are already interested in our industry.

If you’re a manufacturer and you haven’t created your profile, don’t miss out. Creating a profile is free, and our team would be glad to help showcase your company. I am also confident you’ll see the benefits of an annual subscription that unlocks direct connections with prospective team members, as well as local students and educators who can help fill the workforce pipeline for years to come.

Want to support Manufacturing Georgia’s growth as we find the workforce of the future? Help us connect with educators, civic groups, and anyone you think would help champion manufacturing. Click here to reach out to me with your ideas.

See you on the road!

Company workforce priorities in 2026: A 15-minute survey

How will fellow Georgia companies allocate time and resources to support workforces in the new year? Lockton invites you to participate in their 2026 Workforce Priorities Survey to find out.

The survey collects insights about strategies and programs that impact the workforce at the organizational, functional/departmental and individual employee levels including: 

• Talent Acquisition and Candidate Experience  
• Culture and Employee Experience  
• Compensation and Total Rewards  
• Employee Experience in a Hybrid Environment  
• Leadership Development  
• Workforce Stability & Innovation 

This confidential, 15-minute survey will remain open through Friday, December 19. Click here to participate. A report of findings will be available to all survey participants.

Last year’s report shed light on the current state/maturity of workforce programs; internal and external factors driving workforce initiatives; and strategies for employee acquisition and retention in response to the competitive labor market. 2026 survey results will be available in early Q1. 

Confidentiality: Your privacy is important to us. Lockton Companies holds all survey responses and identifying information in the strictest confidence.  

Lockton welcomes questions and comments about the survey. Contact them at HRTrends@lockton.com. 

Legislative and Public Policy Council Meeting Recap 

The LPP Council met December 5 in hybrid format with strong turnout at the Centergy One building. Mark Bennett of Gulfstream Aerospace was elected Vice Chair of the Council. We also heard from special guest Chris Riley, Chief of Staff for Speaker of the House Jon Burns, who gave a preview of items on the table for 2026 Session. 

Chris identified several key issues of concern that the House will be looking to address in the coming months — including insurance premium reform; pulp & paper tariffs; and literacy, which is affecting many manufacturing families as several GAM members acknowledged. Child literacy rates have declined in Georgia and we now rank below Alabama and Mississippi.

GAM Vice President of Government Affairs Brittney Hull reported that the LPP Council is taking the lead in a couple of key areas in 2026. 

• Legislation regarding recoveries relating to perfluorochemicals (“PFAS”):  The Council drafted legislative proposals designed to help move PFAS legislation forward in a way that addresses input from EPD or the Attorney General’s office, ensure private recoveries are used for remediation, and alignment with governing of asbestos and silica claims. We have received feedback on the strategies from LPPC and the GAM Environmental Quality Council has been made aware. Based on the LPPC feedback a bill is being drafted to submit to the General Assembly. 

• Fresh From the Capitol: GAM will drop Legislative Podcasts and host Legislative Meetings for members each Friday at 1 p.m. during Session. 

• 2026 Legislative Candidate Forum: We’re making plans to host a moderated forum of gubernatorial candidates in April 2026. BOLO for dates and more details coming soon. 

• 2026 DC Fly-In, July 21-23, 2026: Mark your calendar for our second annual trip to Capitol Hill to visit with members of Congress and other political allies. Details to come! 

Click the link below to read the full article for more on these issues and action items from Chris.

(Members Only Content)

EQ Council Meeting Recap 

GAM’s Environmental Quality Council met online December 9. It was a highly informative session focused on regulatory updates with a specific focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) issues.  

• EPA Region IV Senior Advisor Erica Jones and Region Water Division Director Katie Butler provided an overview of the agency’s focal areas. Besides providing for clean air, land and water, the EPA is also committed to permitting reform and seeks to restore America’s energy dominance. Kevin McOmber, PE, who was appointed EPA Region IV Administrator in February 2025, planned to attend but was called away on other EPA business. He has agreed to attend a future Council meeting to hear from GAM members. View EPA slides

• Ania Truszczynski, Deputy Director of the Georgia EPD, brought the group up to date on the status of federal and state PFAS regulations in Georgia. Georgia EPD is evaluating rulemaking in response to changes that EPA confirmed or announced in 2025 in the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. View EPD Report 

• Zhiyong Xia, Ph.D., PFAS and EC Leader at GHD engineering consultancy provided a bit of a deep dive into the science of microplastics (or what he calls micronanoplastics) and emerging strategies that show promise in mitigating environmental effects. View “What Do We Know About Microplastics?” slides

• Greg Blount and Kate Hopkins of KMCL Law, Environmental Counsel to GAM explained some particulars of EPA’s proposal to “establish a clear, durable common-sense definition” of “Waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. The 45-day comment period ends on January 5, 2026. View KMCL slides

All EPA and GPD leaders present encouraged GAM members to reach out with any questions or concerns about current or proposed regulations. 

Contact information:  

EPA Region IV Administrator’s Office: 404-562-9900 | EMAIL HERE

Georgia EPD Administrative Office: 404-656-4713, District Offices CLICK HERE

Operational Excellence Council Recap 

The Operational Excellence (OE) Council met December 11 at the offices of Duane Morris and virtually. We closed out the year with a packed agenda covering framework pillar realignment; a workforce development case study from Toyo and Performex; and calls to action as we plan the 2026 Operational Excellence Conference. 

Key highlights: 

The Council decided to merge the HR Management and Workforce pillars under the heading of People Strategy. This more accurately reflects the full workforce lifecycle and operations perspective, as it’s a shared responsibility across functions. 

We are also reframing “AI applications” as Digital Strategy as it is more inclusive and relevant to members at all stages of transformation. 

Members from Toyo Tires and Performex consultancy presented their “2026 Talent Acquisition and Retention Playbook” built from Toyo’s highly successful model. The playbook outlines nine building blocks including candidate selection, surveys and metrics, career development pathways and managerial excellence. While Toyo’s strategy is highly sophisticated, elements can be replicated by a business of any size.

GAM’s Robert Jones gave an overview of the Manufacturing Georgia platform, a first-of-its-kind resource to connect manufacturing companies with candidates. 

2026 will bring an exciting new spin on the traditional factory tour. In response to several member requests for plant visits, GAM plans to introduce semi-annual factory bus tours with stops at multiple sites within close proximity. In addition, the tour bus offers a sponsorship opportunity for members to get company exposure with bus signage. Further details and dates will be provided in early 2026. 

Planning for the 2026 Operational Excellence Conference (June 22-25) is well underway, and we’re looking for GAM members to provide presentation content. The conference work group will conduct regular meetings beginning January 6. Contact Lloyd Avram to join the workgroup and/or propose a conference session.

WELCOME NEW GAM MEMBER: SIEMENS

We’re proud to announce that Siemens recently joined GAM!

Siemens has a significant presence in Georgia. Many of the company’s innovations are not only conceived and manufactured here — they’re also part of some of our most prominent infrastructure.

• The North American headquarters for Siemens Smart Infrastructure and its Electrical Products business unit is in Peachtree Corners, where employees develop and test low-voltage power distribution and circuit production solutions.

• Siemens Mobility operates a large facility north of Atlanta, producing components for the rail industry. 

• Additionally, Atlanta is home to the research and development hub for Siemens Smart Infrastructure's eMobility business unit, specializing in EV chargers.

• Siemens also collaborated with the Georgia Institute of Technology to develop the Center of Excellence for Simulation and Digital Twin, a three-year research partnership aimed at optimizing complex infrastructure systems using data- and model-driven capabilities. 

Chances are, many GAM members are using some type of Siemens solution. Please join us in welcoming them to our community. Reach out to Laurie Tyson, Siemens Corporation Government Affairs, Laurie.Tyson@siemens.com or (m) 771-219-6826, and say hello!

The support of members like Siemens is pivotal to the work GAM does to advocate for Georgia Manufacturers. To get your company involved in our work, simply click the link below, find a 2026 sponsorship opportunity that aligns with your interests, and reach out to us to reserve your spot.

Manufacturers Give Congress Their Holiday Gift List

From December 8-19, the National Association of Manufacturers is delivering a strong greeting to House members — urging a common sense approach to permitting reform. 

“These two weeks in the House are going to be crucial to moving the needle on comprehensive, bipartisan permitting reform,” said National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons. “In the spirit of the holiday season, we are calling for legislative action during this year-end work window to deliver a gift of a new, workable permitting system that will fuel America’s manufacturers… which will boost American competitiveness and unlock greater investments in manufacturing in America.”

In short, manufacturers are seeking:

• Yes vote on the PERMIT Act
• Yes vote on the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act
• Yes on the SPEED Act
• Advancement on key legislation to reform the Clean Air Act

Click the link below to read more on the proposed legislation from NAM.