Hart County Fabrication Company Awarded NATO Contract

ATLANTA, October 5, 2011—The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that Hart County-based Fabritex Inc. is expanding its operations in Hartwell, Georgia.  Fabritex is a metal fabrication manufacturer that provides fabrication services to a range of industries.  The company is expanding to accommodate new business needs resulting from a NATO contract it was recently awarded, and will create 15 new jobs and invest $240,000.
'Fabritex is a great example of a Georgia company taking full advantage of our state's strategic business resources to compete for a very worthwhile opportunity,' said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  'This NATO contract is a very positive sign of great things ahead for Fabritex and Hart County.'

Fabritex was awarded a multi-year tensioned fabric structure contract from NATO, and will supply a minimum of eight structures to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins.  These structures will be used as temporary hangers for C-130 aircraft while they undergo routine maintenance.  The contract contains options that could add an additional 30 structures over three years.

'This is an excellent opportunity for Fabritex and our Atlas Structures line,' said Fabritex President Lee Adams. 'This will allow us to continue to grow our structure business and provide jobs in an uncertain economy.'

Hart County is one of Georgia's fastest-growing business corridors, and its desirable geographic location allows manufacturers like Fabritex to take full advantage of Georgia's high performing logistics network.  As a Georgia Certified Work Ready Community, the county is also home to a ready pool of labor specifically trained for a range of positions in the manufacturing industry.

'The Hart County Industrial Building Authority is very pleased to see Fabritex continue to succeed in growing both their domestic and international business,' said Douglas Cleveland, Hart County IBA chairman.

'This expansion is a result of significant investment in workforce, process improvement, and automation by the company; and assistance with the military bid process by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.'

'The Hart County Board of Commissioners congratulates Fabritex on its success and growing business here and around the world,' said Hart County Board of Commissioners chairman Brandon Johnson.  'We thank the company for its example of leadership and innovation.'

Georgia Department of Economic Development project managers Suzanne Browne and Chuck Hunsaker managed this expansion project on behalf of the state.

About Fabritex
Fabritex Inc., founded in 1989, provides metal fabrication services for a variety of industries. The company's fabric structures are used for both temporary events and semi-permanent installations and have been used for hospitality tents at PGA Tour events, Farmers Markets, Athletic Arenas and multi-use facilities for the military. The Atlas Structures line has been used for temporary hangars for many types of aircraft.

About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts events and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. www.georgia.org