The Milledgeville branch of Vernay Manufacturing proudly celebrated its grand re-opening on April 24. The manufacturing plant was filled with excitement as Vernay staff members, representatives from the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce, and corporate representatives gathered to celebrate the start of a new chapter for Vernay.
Vernay is a global leader in precision flow-control components and has manufacturing locations in Georgia, Holland, Italy, and China. Fifty percent of the locations are in Georgia, with factories in Kennesaw and Griffin in addition to Milledgeville. The company supplies to automotive, small engine, medical, and specialty industries.
Milledgeville Plant Manager Doug Cumpston was beaming with pride as the ribbon was cut, showing the continuing progress of a commitment Vernay has demonstrated locally since 2023. Vernay has been committed to providing not only top-notch manufacturing, but also providing enriching job opportunities for the Baldwin community, he said.
“We don’t just make things, we make things better,” said Cumpston.
“We have invested around $600,000 into equipment and renovations to support growth. For the past two years we have been investing in our employees as well. We at Vernay are here to stay.”
A large part of Vernay’s commitment to its staff and people is providing opportunities for streamlined connection between industry and academics with the local schools and universities in Milledgeville. Vernay Milledgeville has five commitments it strives to meet with its reopening, including a commitment to continual growth and profitability, a commitment to employees, the community, their stakeholders, and to the environment.
“Vernay is a morally correct company that has always had a tradition of doing the right thing for employees and customers,” said Andy Woodard, vice president of sales for Vernay. “This will not change, Vernay is self-funded through itself and its important attributes for the future.”
Woodard praised the work Cumpston has done at the Milledgeville plant, and thanked him for his decades of service to Vernay.
Vernay’s updated facility features new technology that will help aide the area of employment that the plant is heading in and is designed to fit the model of profitability that the manufacturer is aiming for. Guests participated in a tour of the new and improved plant, and got to see the purpose of each machine. This opportunity allowed for questions, and for guests to learn about the day-to-day operations of Vernay.
In the future, Vernay hopes to add value and more opportunities for local students to get involved and see what a career at Vernay can look like. For now, Vernay will keep its promise of serving the local community and ensuring quality outcomes that will be produced at its Milledgeville manufacturing plant.