In the world of economic development, the high-profile business-attraction announcements get the headlines. But existing business expansion is every bit, if not more important, to a community’s economic vitality.

Consider the case of Atlanta-based GSC Packaging. As recently as 2010, the company had 40 employees. But by listening to its customers, winning new contracts, and investing in new plant and equipment, the company now employs 300 people.

To accommodate that growth, GSC opened a100,000 square-foot plant with 15 production line in early 2013. Discrete packaging suites prevent cross-contamination of products. Computerized inventory controls, and advanced air-handling and dust control capabilities are other important features.

Because packaging is a critical element in a product’s brand, GSC works closely with clients on the front end to ensure that the packaging solution complements the companies’ marketing objectives, as well.  

GSC Packaging’s phenomenal growth earned it a spot on the Inc. 500 list announced in September 2013 – just another reason this company has a Great Manufacturing Story to tell.

Trace-a-Matic is a high-quality machine shop in Brookfield, Wisconsin, specializing in computerized numeric control (CNC) milling and turning as well as exotic materials machining. On April 19, Gov. Scott Walker joined the company’s employees to announce 35 new jobs, welcome news in a state that has made economic recovery and job creation a top priority the past year.

Trace-a-Matic also has invested in additional flex space in Brookfield. This growth is the result of strong demand for its work from customers in the mining and oil-and-gas sectors, a trend that is expected to continue. The company also qualified for $300,000 in state economic development tax credits to help fuel its growth.

The business, founded in 1968, takes its name from tracer lathe machines, a few of which are still in use. But through the years Trace-a-Matic has invested continuously in state-of-the-art machining equipment.

Gov. Walker made the point that job growth often occurs by the dozens, not by the thousands, and that government has a role to play in adopting policies that encourage economic growth and opportunity. Wisconsin has a long history of manufacturing excellence, and it’s great to see companies like Trace-a-Matic creating more jobs for American workers.

Across North America, hundreds of older, inefficient trucks are coming off the highways. Taking their place are state-of-the-art, aerodynamic, fuel-efficient rigs, many of which are manufactured at the Freightliner plant in Cleveland, North Carolina.

Freightliner has been making trucks at the site for more than 20 years. During the deep recession in 2009, production and employment there were scaled back. But January 2012 brought far more encouraging news, as Freightliner’s parent company – Daimler Trucks North America – added a second shift. The move brings back 1,000 production jobs, plus several dozen engineer and manager positions. That is on top of the roughly 1,470 employees currently working there.

Part of the catalyst for Daimler’s decision is cyclical, with production moving back to post-recession norms. But another reason Daimler needs to add the second shift is the enormous demand for Freightliner’s Cascadia cab. When Freightliner set out to design Cascadia it started from scratch. It analyzed their own rigs and those of competitors, and interviewed scores of professional drivers. They tested their prototype extensively in wind tunnel and simulated accident settings. The finished product is a cab that is wider and taller than standard trucks, with highly responsive steering and superb visibility. It provides drivers with a level of comfort usually reserved for fine automobiles. Yet, the Cascadia is also a lighter-weight and highly aerodynamic product, which reduces its operational costs. Moreover, the assembly line uses 70 different advanced robots, ensuring consistency on each vehicle.  

This combination of superior product design and advanced assembly makes for satisfied customers, more jobs, and another Great Manufacturing Story.

If lawmakers from the nation’s capital want to see advanced manufacturing in action, they need not travel far. The Hampton Roads region of Virginia boasts a number of leaders in modern manufacturing, one of which is Canon USA.

In 2009, Canon completed a 700,000 square foot facility in Newport News that incorporates high-speed, automated technology for production and refurbishment of laser printer cartridges. With assistance from the state of Virginia, Canon’s investment in the project exceeded $640 million, creating about 1,000 new jobs.

Less than 40 miles to the north in Gloucester, Canon operates its newly expanded Industrial Resource Technology division. A decade ago, this facility manufactured three products. Today, it offers an array of contract manufacturing solutions, including high-tolerance injection mold tools, metal and plastic parts, and reverse manufacturing for clients in a range of industries. In total, the U.S. affiliate of the Japanese-based Canon employs more than 2,200 people in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, making it a Great Manufacturing Story.