Ten Georgians, including Marten Hutchison, an innovator at Shaw Industries in Dalton, Georgia, have been selected as finalists in the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s (GaMEP) Faces of Manufacturing campaign.
Ever since he was a kid Hutchison tinkered with new ideas. Wanting to go into automobile manufacturing, he obtained a mechanical engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). During his sophomore year, he was urged to apply to Tech’s cooperative program. For the next two-and-a-half years Marten was a co-op at Shaw, while finishing his degree at Tech. “I had such a great experience that I was hired on by Shaw full-time once I graduated,” Marten said.
Since joining the company in the early 2000s, Marten has held numerous jobs and today is a true innovator for the largest carpet manufacturer in the world. He led a team to create the largest pounds of plastic recycling program in North America and utilizes equipment and technology to improve processes and incorporate automation into Shaw’s plants.
“I have a Lego collection that would rival any child,” Hutchinson said.Outside the office, he uses his time to excite students about science and technology careers. He noted, “I am a FIRST Robotics team competition coach, where we get to conceptualize, prototype, design, build, and program robots to compete in various tournaments.”
For his commitment to innovation in manufacturing and to STEM education, Hutchinson was nominated for the 2017 Faces of Manufacturing award in Georgia.
The Top 10, including Hutchison, received the most votes during the initial voting round. These finalists will now compete in the final round. The three individuals who garner the most votes will be announced during the week of Oct. 3, corresponding with National Manufacturing Day and will receive the coveted 2017 Faces of Manufacturing Award during an event at their facility.
Voting begins Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017 at 9 a.m., and continues through 4 p.m. on Aug. 23. To cast a vote for your favorite candidate, please go to any of these links:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GaMEPGT/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/16172031/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/GaMEPGT
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/ljKSyW6dNbA
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GaMEP Website: http://gamep.org/faces-of-manufacturing/
Now in its third year, the GaMEP’s Faces initiative showcases the sector’s importance to the Georgia economy. The industry employs more than 365,000 at 10,000 manufacturing companies of all sizes across Georgia. Collectively, the industry has a total manufacturing output of $53 billion per year.
GaMEP, a federally funded economic development program at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, works with manufacturers across the state to help them remain viable and economically competitive.
“Our finalists really underscore the strength of Georgia’s manufacturing sector with candidates in industries ranging from aviation, electronics, and agriculture to flooring, automotive, and beverages,” said GaMEP Director Karen J. Fite. “Our Faces are a reflection of all the dedicated men and women in Georgia whose work in the industry make it the vibrant and strong contributor to the Georgia economy that it is.”