Georgia Association of Manufacturers

What Georgia Association of Manufacturers does

The Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1900 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that serves as the exclusive industry advocate for manufacturing companies operating in the state. Its members collectively employ nearly 200,000 people — roughly half of Georgia's manufacturing workforce — and span automotive (Kia Georgia, Toyo Tires), flooring (Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries, Mannington Mills, Engineered Floors), aerospace (Gulfstream Aerospace), packaging (Smurfit Westrock), and manufacturing services (Grenzebach Corporation, SRG Global). GAM is not a technology company and does not develop proprietary software products; its digital footprint centers on GAM Connect (a private member portal housed at members.gamfg.org), the Transformer newsletter/publication, the Manufacturing Georgia workforce-recruitment platform, and a LinkedIn presence. The association's core competencies are advocacy before state and federal regulators, workforce-development programming (including the DECAL EXPAND $750,000 childcare grant), and structured peer engagement via six member-led policy councils: Tax, Environmental Quality, Energy, Legislative & Public Policy, AI/I (Artificial Intelligence and Innovation), and Operational Excellence.

GAM generates revenue through annual membership dues from manufacturing companies and associate members, supplemented by event sponsorships (a structured 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities program is publicly listed), and grant funding. The organization is governed by an elected Board of Directors drawn from its member companies and operated by a small staff (1-10 employees per firmographic data) led by President & CEO Jim Kelleher, Vice President of Government Affairs Brittney Hull, Vice President and General Counsel Clay Jones, Director of Workforce Development Stephanie Scearce, and Director of Marketing and Communications Robert Jones. The operating model is fundamentally association-based rather than commercial: it does not sell products through intermediaries, has no equity ownership, no subsidiaries, and no external investment. Its go-to-market combines direct outreach to manufacturers, member referrals, signature events (Annual Meeting, Spring Meeting, Fall Leadership Conference, Workforce Seminar, Operational Excellence Conference), council-driven engagement, and digital channels including website, LinkedIn, newsletter, and a Legislative Update podcast during legislative sessions. In 2025, GAM celebrated its 125th anniversary and received a COSMA Association of the Year nomination.

Name

Georgia Association of Manufacturers

Legal name

Georgia Association of Manufacturers

Website

https://gamfg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM), founded in 1900, is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that exclusively advocates for Georgia's manufacturing industry. Members collectively employ nearly 200,000 people and engage through six policy councils covering tax, environmental, energy, legislative, AI/I, and operational excellence topics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

ESG, Sustainability & Impact Research (BPAHALAL), Carbon Policy Interface for Renewables (ETS/Offsets/Carbon Taxes) (EUAMANAI)

Keywords

• Trade association
• Manufacturing advocacy
• Workforce development
• Policy councils
• Industry networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: GAM generates revenue through annual membership dues from manufacturing companies across Georgia. Membership provides access to advocacy services, workforce development programs, policy councils, events, and peer networking opportunities.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GAM is a non-profit trade association that represents and advocates for Georgia's manufacturing industry through annual membership. Its core services include government and regulatory advocacy, six member-led policy councils (Tax, Environmental Quality, Energy, Legislative & Public Policy, AI/I, and Operational Excellence), workforce development programs, signature industry events, peer networking, and the Manufacturing Georgia workforce platform. Members gain access to the GAM Connect member portal, the Transformer newsletter, and council-driven working groups addressing industry-critical issues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Manufacturing Georgia: A revolutionary platform that builds direct connections between educators, students, job seekers, and manufacturers to grow the manufacturing labor pool in Georgia.
• The Transformer
• Manufacturing Education Foundation (MEF)

Products and services

• GAM Membership Annual membership providing Georgia manufacturing companies with state and federal advocacy, access to six policy councils, workforce development programs, signature events, networking, the GAM Connect member portal, and the Transformer newsletter.
• GAM Connect Private online social platform for GAM members enabling peer connections, access to association resources, and collaborative communication with GAM staff.
• The Transformer GAM's regular newsletter and publication providing members with news, insights, and updates on manufacturing industry issues, policy, energy, tax, environmental quality, and operational excellence.
• Manufacturing Georgia Workforce initiative platform connecting educators, students, job seekers, and manufacturers to grow the manufacturing labor pool in Georgia and reframe the public perception of manufacturing careers.
• Member-Led Policy Councils Six member-led councils (Tax, Environmental Quality, Energy, Legislative & Public Policy, AI/I, Operational Excellence) providing forums for information sharing, policy input, best practices, and collaboration among Georgia manufacturers.
• Workforce Development Programs Programs addressing Georgia manufacturers' workforce challenges, including the Manufacturing Education Foundation scholarships, fast-track training cohorts, second-chance hiring initiatives, and childcare solutions through the $750,000 DECAL EXPAND grant.
• Operational Excellence Conference Annual conference hosting Georgia manufacturers and stakeholders for executive roundtables, educational panels, facility tours, and best practice sharing on operational excellence topics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of members value GAM's advocacy; 100% would recommend membership; 90% satisfaction with member services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2023GAM partnered with DECAL to implement the EXPAND grant program ($750,000) to assist 14 manufacturing members in finding childcare solutions for employees. The partnership addresses workforce participation barriers by supporting working parents with non-traditional schedules. GAM received $750,000 to allocate approximately $50,000 to each participating manufacturer for childcare pilot solutions.
• Georgia Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Technology Corridor (GA-AIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAM collaborates with GA-AIM, funded by a $65MM federal grant from the US Department of Commerce, to support AI adoption in Georgia manufacturing. Donna Ennis, Co-Director of GA-AIM, participated in GAM's 2023 Annual Meeting AI Panel. GA-AIM aims to combine AI and manufacturing innovations with workforce development across Georgia.
• Smart Factory Institute (SFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAM arranged tours of SFI in Cleveland, TN for over 50 members from 27 companies. SFI provides manufacturers with connections, certifications, and training for improving manufacturing processes including AI adoption. GAM hosts Optimizing Business Performance with AI events at SFI.
• Smith + Howard Advisory, LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSmith + Howard serves as exclusive event sponsor for GAM's Optimizing Business Performance with AI Event at SFI. Smith + Howard offers advisory services for manufacturers including R&D Credits, tax credits and incentives, ISO 27001, and Cyber Risk Management.
• Via TransportationminorOthersVia Transportation partners with communities (including Valdosta) to provide digital infrastructure for public transit. Mayor James Matheson presented at GAM's Workforce Seminar on how transportation access supports workforce recruitment and retention for manufacturers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• North Carolina Chamber: The North Carolina Chamber is the state's principal business association with strong manufacturing representation, policy advocacy, and economic development focus. As a Southeastern neighbor with comparable manufacturing mix and state-level advocacy mandate, it is a regional functional peer to GAM.
• Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC): WMC is Wisconsin's statewide chamber and manufacturing trade association, combining state-level policy advocacy, workforce development, and HR/legal compliance services for manufacturers. Its integrated chamber-and-manufacturing association structure closely mirrors GAM's advocacy-plus-services approach.
• Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA): IMA is the statewide voice for Illinois manufacturers, providing legislative advocacy, networking events, workforce development, and industrial education programs. Its scope and member-services portfolio map directly to GAM's six-council structure and event-driven engagement model.
• California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA): CMTA is the longest-running state-level manufacturing trade association, serving California manufacturers with policy advocacy, workforce development, and peer networking programs - structurally identical to GAM's service model and member value proposition. As a state-level direct peer with similar scope, it is the most directly comparable organization to GAM.
• Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM): AIM is the largest state business trade association in Massachusetts, providing advocacy, group insurance, and workforce programs to hundreds of employer members including manufacturers. Its model of serving a broad employer base with significant manufacturing representation is a direct functional peer to GAM.
• Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA): MMA is Michigan's statewide manufacturing trade association, representing the state's significant automotive, aerospace, and industrial base through policy advocacy, networking events, and workforce programs. Its heavy automotive/manufacturing concentration and member-led governance model closely parallel GAM's positioning in Georgia.

Others

• Council of State Manufacturing Associations (COSMA): COSMA is a NAM-affiliated council representing state manufacturing trade associations across 49 states. GAM is itself a member of COSMA, making COSMA an umbrella peer relationship rather than a direct competitor. Its 2025 'Association of the Year' nomination of GAM illustrates this peer-validation dynamic.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): NAM is the largest national manufacturing trade association in the US, representing the same broad manufacturing constituency as GAM but at the federal level. It is the natural counterpart and umbrella; GAM is a member of NAM's Council of State Manufacturing Associations (COSMA), and the two organizations coordinate on overlapping state-federal policy priorities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gamanufacturing
• Xx.com/georgia_mfg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Georgia Association of Manufacturers