Georgia Leads in Food Processing, Beverage Manufacturing

Georgia is a national leader in advanced manufacturing, thanks to strength in multiple sectors – from R&D to workforce to robust logistics operations. Fueled by agriculture, the state’s No. 1 industry, food processing is Georgia’s top manufacturing sector. More than 1,500 food processing manufacturers operate in the state, including almost half of the nation’s top 100 companies in the industry. Why do these companies choose Georgia?  

Research and Innovation: Top resources for R&D and innovation include the expert team at the Georgia Center of Innovation – a benefit exclusive to Georgia – and two Georgia universities.  

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) 

• The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute is an interdisciplinary research entity focused on the design and development of advanced manufacturing systems.  
• The Georgia Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Technology Corridor is a Georgia Tech-led statewide initiative recently awarded a $65 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), supporting work to combine artificial intelligence and manufacturing innovations with transformational workforce and outreach programs.  

University of Georgia (UGA) 

• UGA ranks No. 1 among U.S. universities for the number of commercial products to market based on its research. Industry partners have brought more than 1,100 products based on UGA research to market, many in support of Georgia’s multibillion-dollar agriculture industry. 

Workforce Development: Georgia colleges and universities offer programs dedicated to producing graduates with mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and robotics.  

The Technical College System of Georgia also provides free skills education through the nation’s No. 1 workforce training program, Georgia Quick Start. Quick Start tailors training methods to individual companies and can help them stay up to date on food safety standards as well as the required skill sets for food and beverage manufacturing.  

Infrastructure: Robust shipping and logistics operations provide speed to market and a competitive edge.  

• The Port of Savannah is the fastest- growing container port in the U.S. and offers more refrigerated container capacity than any other port terminal on the East Coast or Gulf Coast.  
• Georgia has one of the most extensive freight rail systems in the U.S., and Colonel’s Island Terminal is the 2nd busiest port in the U.S. for total Ro/Ro cargo. 

Read more about Georgia’s ingredients for success: georgia.org/food-processing.  

Learn more:

Georgia Food Processing Companies & Technology

Georgia Food Product Innovation Center

- Posted September 12, 2023