German copper producer Aurubis broke ground on its anticipated $300 million smelting plant at Augusta Corporate Park in June and aims to complete its construction by early 2024.
In the meantime, Augusta Technical College continues courting the major copper recycler, foreseeing its need for a uniquely skilled workforce.
The school’s Vice President of Economic Development, Rebecca Stout, returned on Oct. 9 from a visit to Hamburg, Germany to learn about Aurubis’ manufacturing methods and apprenticeship models.
“We are working with them to help set up training programs,” said Stout. “So we want to be sure that all of our manufacturers in the region are supported and know that the technical college is here to help them, however they need help.”
The Augusta Economic Development Authority coordinated the trip for Stout after leaders from Aurubis expressed interest in her seeing its training centers, she said.
Stout, who has visited Germany before, arrived in Hamburg on Wednesday, Oct. 5, where directors Christiane Bestmann, Rosenstock Hans-Ludwig and Joachim Lemke (whom she called “gracious hosts”) guided her on a tour of the metal company’s facilities at its headquarters.
“The Germans set the standard of excellence in a lot of the work throughout the world in manufacturing,” Stout said. “I was just very pleased and honored to be able to be given the opportunity to go see how they do things.”
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While Stout could not offer specific details on the company’s factory procedures or training methods, she did express how impressed she was with its level of efficiency in its processes.
“It was a state-of-the-art training facility, beautifully executed,” she said. “ It was like watching a synchronized ballet of manufacturing. I can’t wait to have them be a part of our community.”
Stout’s travels come on the heels of Augusta Tech’s announcement of a $44 million capital project in development for an advanced manufacturing training facility near I-20. Its president, Jermaine Whirl, noted in his State of the College Address on Wednesday that Augusta was competing with several areas cultivating assets to accommodate a burgeoning manufacturing boom in the Southeast, including Charleston, Columbia and Greenville in South Carolina.
Augusta’s strongest Georgia competitor in this arena, Whirl mentioned, is Columbus, with Savannah not far behind. A major space such as the one the college is planning, complete with robotics and mechatronics capabilities, would provide a “soft landing” for any manufacturers setting up shop along that Southeastern corridor, giving Augusta an edge.
“If I’m coming from Germany, and I have a site that’s not ready yet, where do I put my executives and my research team that will work at no charge in your region?” said Whirl. “That does not exist in Augusta. We’re putting 2500 square feet in here just for that purpose.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
