Ball Ground, GA (September 29, 2020) – A small gathering of Cherokee County and state officials were on hand to welcome Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to CAIRE Inc.’s global headquarters in Ball Ground for a presentation and tour of the manufacturing facility today.
The visit to CAIRE was part of a tour of select manufacturers and businesses in north Georgia by Kemp and his team, but it was particularly relevant given the company’s ongoing response in providing critically-needed oxygen equipment during the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic here in Georgia and throughout the world.
“We appreciate the support we received from the state and its governing bodies as we navigated the complicated logistics of ensuring our global supply chain stayed open throughout the initial impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Our communications began early on as we ramped up production here in Georgia, and it continues today as we see sustained demand globally,” said Earl Lawson, CAIRE President and CEO. “I see the Governor’s visit as an opportunity to shine the spotlight on our hard-working employees, particularly those working on the frontline of manufacturing our oxygen therapy solutions. It also allows us to share more about the products we make and the critical role they play in the lives of those who are recovering from the virus safely at home.”
Kemp’s tour included getting to see CAIRE’s core technologies and product innovations, and greet employees building FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrators and the Companion 5 stationary oxygen concentrators – two oxygen therapy products that have been in high demand. Special attention also was put on the military-focused SAROS Oxygen System – a device developed and used by the US military to transport injured soldiers away from combat zones.
Following the tour, the Governor recorded a special greeting for CAIRE employees.
State Representative Wes Cantrell, District 22, was on hand for the Governor’s visit and it was his first visit to the facility.
“I was honored to tour the CAIRE manufacturing plant with Governor Kemp in Ball Ground. CAIRE is one of Cherokee County’s great employers, providing good jobs to hundreds of people, most of whom live in our county. The outstanding leadership of this company enabled CAIRE to safely operate at peak capacity during this pandemic making sure their life-saving product was available to as many people as possible,” he said.
In addition Cherokee Office of Economic Development President Misti Martin and Board Chairman Marshall Day were on hand to give the Governor a firsthand look at the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workforce Workshop – an impressive 40-foot rig designed as an educational and workforce development tool designed to spark interest in high-demand, essential careers with opportunities for growth.
