A small minority- and woman-owned manufacturer of athletic clothing that suffered a loss in sales due to overseas competition.
A contract precision metal stamping firm that saw their market share drop in the face of imports from China and South Korea.
And in both cases, the result was lost revenue and a less secure future for employees.
These are just two examples of Georgia businesses that sought and received help from the Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) in 2023-24.
Established in 1974 through a grant from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, SETAAC helps manufacturing firms maintain or regain their edge in the face of global competition.
Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2) has been administering the program since 1978, serving clients not only in Georgia but also Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
A Multifaceted Approach
As a socioeconomic development program of EI2, SETAAC takes a multifaceted and people-centered approach to its work.
“At EI2 our focus is on the application of research and innovation to change people’s lives. Because of this we are uniquely positioned to address issues from a holistic point of view,” said EI2 Vice President David Bridges. “In light of that, we ask ourselves how we can lift communities by providing them with more and better economic opportunities. The services SETAAC offers are an important part of this approach.”
In the case of the athletic clothing company, which is based in Dougherty County (for contractual reasons, clients often cannot be named), SETAAC helped with branding and marketing — from developing new graphics to redesigning the website to boost online shopping capabilities — all while increasing production. Resulting sales increased by 28%, and the firm successfully retained its 3 skilled employees.
Similarly, the metal stamping firm, located in Muscogee County, received assistance from SETAAC in automating its welding line, retraining staff accordingly, and retooling marketing messaging to reflect their higher output capacity. Company sales soared 228%, and plant personnel received pay raises and better in-house opportunities for career growth.
Statewide Impact in Georgia
Since 2010, SETAAC has created or saved more than 2,165 jobs in Georgia and assisted 568 manufacturers in the state across 28 different counties and 14 Congressional districts. In that period, revenue generated across SETAAC’s Georgia clients totaled $351.87 million, and their overall operating costs were reduced by $1.34 million.
The “Southeast” part of SETAAC’s mission is also integral. During the last five years, SETAAC has administered a region-wide total of $6.9 million in funds, with 202 projects implemented, resulting in a 24% increase in clients’ sales, an 11% increase in employment, and a 12% rise in productivity.
SETAAC’s regional successes in award year 2024 (May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024) include:
A Florida machine shop, Catamount Machine Works, that faced competition in low-end production from China. To counteract this, the firm diversified its offerings to secure higher-value contracts in aeronautics. Catamount’s investments in automation made it one of the first companies in the state to implement Haas robots. Sales increased by up to 23 percent, and all existing personnel were retrained and retained.
A Kentucky firm that manufactures professional audio, loudspeakers, and high frequency devices faced pressure from exports out of Mexico, China, and Japan. SETAAC identified bottlenecks in the production process and assisted in updating the accounting system. Sales increased by $1.7 million or 14%, and employment increased 12% in 2023.
South Carolina-based Palmetto Plating, which historically relied on the textile industry for 50% of their business. When that market shifted overseas, they needed to find new customers and boost productivity. With SETAAC’s assistance, sales went up by 9.5%, and the firm retained 26 employees in 2024.
A South Carolina manufacturer of custom ballet barre and fitness equipment that faced import pressure from Canada and Mexico. The firm’s management team knew it had to reach new markets, and SETAAC helped them analyze and update sales channels, including creating a presence on Amazon. In 2024, sales increased by 2% and total employee number went from 18 to 19.
The Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) is a federally funded program launched in 1974 that assists firms headquartered in 8 states across the Southeast. The program, housed in Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, is supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration and provides matching funds to import-impacted U.S. manufacturing firms to develop and implement projects to regain global competitiveness, expand markets, strengthen operations, and increase profitability, thereby increasing U.S. jobs. Visit setaac.org to learn more.