2009 Testimonials
(For information, please contact one of our GDEcD project managers PDF)
Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.) Inc. to Locate East Coast Distribution Center Near Savannah
“This location is ideal for our company as we continue to expand our services to meet the anticipated increase in cargo volume through Georgia ports due to the Panama Canal expansion project.” Read more >>
Ryiji Ikeda, President, Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.)
December 2009
Chinamax Picks Atlantic Station for U.S. Headquarters
“We believe Atlanta is best suited for our U.S. headquarters based on the scope of global business done here daily, and superior accessibility to all North American and South American markets. Atlantic Station’s central location and concentration of businesses makes it a great fit for our U.S. headquarters. We look forward to a long and mutually prosperous engagement with all of our stakeholders in China, the State of Georgia, and the City of Atlanta.” Read more >>
Hanson Zhang, Chinamex Chief Representative, Chinamex
December 2009
Coats & Clark to Locate North American Distribution Hub in Albany
"Our research showed that Albany’s strategic location in proximity to major trucking corridors, coupled with the fact that the center is situated close to one of our major manufacturing sites, made it an excellent fit for our new North American distribution center. Our relationship with Albany over the last 62 years has been excellent, and the city’s location and work force are ideally suited to our plans for growth and continued customer satisfaction.” Read more >>
Jeff Thompson, Dir. of HR, Coats & Clark
Dougherty County, 25 employees
November 2009
Three Aerospace Companies Announce New Georgia Projects
“Georgia is ideally situated to help us market STAR - ISMS TM to our U.S., Central and South American markets, which are easily accessible through Hartsfield Atlanta Airport,” said Viraf Kapadia, chairman & CEO of Star Navigation Systems. “I look forward to building on the great relationships we’ve established with the Georgia business community as our company continues to build its presence here.” Read more >>
Viraf Kapadia, Chairman and CEO, Star Navigation Systems
November 2010
"We looked at other locations, but Georgia was the right choice to expand our client services and grow our business. The proximity Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport gives us to support our various client base is unbeatable, and will help increase our access to potential revenue sources.” Read more >>
Lou Perdoni, CEO, Zodiac Services Americas LLC
November 2010
“Georgia’s business climate and resources have supported our company’s research and development of this solution, and provide a great marketing platform as well.” Read more >>
Michael Williams, President, Jetaire Group
November 2010
Belgian Flooring Manufacturer to Locate First U.S. Plant in Georgia
“We reviewed proposals and looked at sites in many areas of the country. Ultimately, we’ve established strong roots here in the state of Georgia. So many positive factors combined to end our journey where it began—back home in Dalton.”
Read more >>Xavier Steyaert, CEO, IVC US Inc.
Dalton, 115 employees
September 2010
“We are especially thankful for the support provided to us by Governor Perdue and his economic development staff, the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Georgia Power and countless other agencies…this marks another key milestone in our long-term goal of locating equipment manufacturing and critical service support much nearer to our important customers.” Read more >>
Koji Hasegawa, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Power Systems
September 2009
“We have particularly enjoyed partnering with the state of Georgia, Fulton County officials and the local community during this process…as we prepare to commercialize PROVENGE to help the many patients with advanced prostate cancer who currently have few appealing treatment options.” Read more >>
Mitchell H. Gold, M.D., President and CEO, Dendreon Corporation
August 2009
"It has been the many small things you have consistently done over the past six months or so that have added up to a great benefit to us … Particularly for us, dealing with prospective suppliers has been a challenge and just being able to reference our working with the Georgia Department of Economic Development has opened many doors … At this juncture, we are most excited about the feed-back and help we are receiving from the overseas contacts to which you have connected us .... you have held the compass and pointed us in the right direction for which we are indeed most grateful.”
Brien Hallmark, Owner, Builders Logistics, Inc.
Spalding County, 5 employees
February 2009
"[Your Trade Specialist] was instrumental in sharing resources and coordinating meetings for our company as we consider expansion overseas. She also made me aware of a very informative training session at Georgia Tech. Her assistance has been wonderful".
John Cheatham, President, Oldcastle Surfaces, Inc.
Fulton County, 120 employees
February 2009
“Since the inception of our company in March 2008, the Georgia Department of Economic Development has been front and center with their support and guidance for our initial projects in Toombs and Lamar County, Georgia… A single thank you letter pales in comparison to the magnitude of support that GDEcD has provided. From letters of support, to phone calls and numerous face to face meetings, your team has been there to assist us every step of the way…”
Paul Hester, CEO, Americas Waste to Energy
Forsyth County, 5 employees
February 2009
“I am grateful for programs offered by the State of Georgia especially during these economic times and look forward to working with [your Trade Specialist] in the future.”
James Hanna, Principal, NCG Architects
Fulton County, 16 employees
February 2009
“Our satisfaction has been larger than we thought possible. Since we started working with Georgia’s Economic Development office, we have secured export sales, established sales to GA companies … and had our website analyzed which will undoubtedly create new sales from improved visibility, traffic and conversion. In addition, we have gained access to other GA suppliers … which allows us to grow without tying up cash in inventory and warehousing. More recently, we have utilized market research studies for South America, Mexico and Canada and identified a resource to conduct a feasibility study for selling into renewable energy markets in Canada. This study alone saved us more than $2,000 and 3 days that we could dedicate to growing our business. We have earned as well as saved tens of thousands of dollars. I feel certain the services will help us generate more than $1 M in new sales over the next 12-18 months.
As a small business with limited resources … the Economic Development office is the best employee we could recruit, hire, train and retain but could never afford. We have shared these services with dozens of small business owners and managers looking to survive and thrive during these volatile economic times…We are raving fans and view the Economic Development office as an extension of our business. As we grow and get more comfortable selling globally, we find comfort knowing there are abundant resources available locally and abroad to support every step.”
Brandon Pelissero, CFO, Ecolink
DeKalb County, 9 employees
February 2009
“A brief note to express my gratitude to you and all of the fine people I have met at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Your hard work, solution focused thinking and friendship has been extremely valuable to Yokogawa Corporation of America and especially to me. It's a big world out there and attempting to go it alone or without the huge resources of a committed partner like the State of Georgia would simply be a futile effort. We will make progress in generating more business in Mexico, Canada & hopefully one day Europe and our success will be in large part because of the relationship we have established with your office. Richard Westerfield, my immediate Manager & VP of Sourcing & Manufacturing, not only introduced me to this resource but has been a great proponent of this relationship throughout the company.”
Rick Downie, Sales Manager, Yokogawa Corporation of America
Coweta County, 550 employees
February 2009
“That report was EXACTLY what we need. It was very informative and the layout was nicely organized and made sense… can this be done for a few other countries?”
Corey Etheridge, Director of International Sales, Oka b.
Gwinnett County, 85 employees
February 2009
"Thanks for all of your help. Thanks for your introduction to [your China office] - they have been most helpful in getting our product before potential buyers … We also appreciate you connecting us with the Small Business Development Center. The information that we have received from all of you has really helped us get started; the unforeseen economic events have knocked us off schedule but we still have interest from both sides and we view this as a chance to make more inroads into the Chinese market."
James Barnett, Fall Line Forestry
Fulton County, 3 employees
February 2009
"[Your Trade Specialist and European Office] have been extremely helpful and provided valuable trade information and potential business contacts."
Mark Cline, Vice President & General Manager, Polyurethane Group
Whitfield County, 5 employees
January 2009
“Whoa...THANKS...This info looks like it could be a huge potential resource.”
Rick Clark, President/CEO, Margot Townsend, Inc.
Fulton County, 9 employees
January 2009
"I think that these services are vital for small American companies such as mine to participate in more international events [such as Domotex 2009]."
Greg George, Thermal Systems
Whitfield County, 5 employees
January 2009