Lanier Tech to train workers for new Pendergrass plant

GAINESVILLE - A German-based firm, which will locate a plant in Pendergrass, creating 50 new jobs, will train its workers at Lanier Tech in Oakwood.

The agreement was signed at a news conference at the school Thursday morning.

DEUTZ AG Incorporated of Cologne, Germany, will produce diesel engines at the plant, which will be its North American Engine Remanufacturing Center. Previously, all remanufactured products sold in the Americas have been produced in the DEUTZ AG Engine Remanufacturing Center in Ubersee, Germany. The Pendergrass facility will allow DEUTZ to bring its remanufacturing process closer to its customers and provide faster response to customer demand, according to company officials .

DEUTZ Corporation President and CEO, Robert L Mann, said he is "pleased to develop a manufacturing presence in North America and especially Jackson County as it is very close to the already established operations in Georgia."

With annual sales of about E 1.5 billion, DEUTZ AG is one of the world's leading independent suppliers of diesel engines that are used in construction and agricultural machinery, power generation applications and commercial and rail vehicles.

The new workers will be trained through Quick Start, Georgia's economic development program that provides customized workforce training at no cost to qualified new, expanding and existing businesses in Georgia. Since 1967, it has trained more than 600,000 employees through 5,100 projects.

Russell Vandiver, Lanier Tech's Vice President, Economic Development Programs, said, "We are pleased to be working with DEUTZ Corporation. Jackson County is extremely important to us at Lanier Technical College."

Signing the agreement, along with Vandiver, were Jeff Lynn, Director, Northern Operations, Georgia QuickStart Program, and Michael E. Letson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, DEUTZ Corporation.