Tucker is undoubtedly one of the fastest-rising business destinations in the Metro Atlanta area. Each month, the Business Boom will seek to show different examples of how Tucker’s business scene is flourishing. This month's column is written by our Economic Development Director, Jackie Moffo.
Tucker’s manufacturing legacy began in the 1960s when Patillo Construction Company developed the industrial park areas along Mountain Industrial Road. By 1974, these industrial areas were completed, and over the last 50 years have continued to attract manufacturers and industrial businesses to our community. Today, manufacturing currently accounts for 10.4% of Tucker’s total share of jobs and continues to be a critical part of our local economy.
Manufacturing is a constantly evolving industry, with many of our Tucker manufacturers adopting new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. With these new technologies comes the increased demand for talent, and upskilling. Here in Tucker, and across the nation, manufacturers are eager to find new ways to communicate these changes in the industry – to highlight the diverse variety of career opportunities and to dispel old stereotypes of manufacturing jobs long since passed.<
Looking for a way to bridge this gap, Manufacturing USA (also known as the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation), as a part of the Manufacturing Institute and in conjunction with the National Association of Manufacturers, MEP Centers, and federal agency partners, has established a national Manufacturing Day. Annually, the first Friday in October is celebrated as Manufacturing Day to show students, parents, and the public “what modern manufacturing is all about”.
Since 2018, the City of Tucker has celebrated in its own way – with the goal of connecting the Tucker community with the manufacturing businesses that call it home. In 2022, the city modified the format, re-focusing its efforts and aligning with the national efforts on student connections.
On October 12, 2023, Tucker High School hosted Tucker Manufacturing Day. The event this year boasted expo-style booths with product demonstrations and displays, mock interviews for students, and classroom visits for direct student conversations and Q&A. Some of Tucker’s largest employers participated again, including PepsiCo, Sugar Bowl Bakery, Rise Baking Company, WinCup, Briggs & Stratton, and Ruco/Southern Wall as well as a few businesses new to the event including Image360, Oldcastle, Thomas Concrete, and Prudential Overall Supply. In a first this year product displays also include an interactive concrete truck experience courtesy of Thomas Concrete!
The event started at 8:30 AM with a kick-off welcome by Mayor Frank Auman and Tucker High School Principal Dr. Eric Parker. The expo tables were immediately flooded with excited students. During the four-hour event, over 600 students participated – meeting businesses, learning about products made in Tucker, and about the career paths of each employer. PepsiCo, Prudential Overall Supply, Ruco/Southern Wall, and Georgia Piedmont Technical College participated in mock interviews with Work Study and other interested students. Over 40 students took part in these mock interviews and businesses provided feedback on the students to their teachers as a part of their ongoing coursework. Mayor Auman joined the businesses for classroom visits, wrapping up the event.
On the heels of an extremely successful event, the city is not slowing down and has already begun evaluating new ways to continue to connect manufacturers and other businesses to Tucker students throughout the year!
