GMA Three-Facility Manufacturing Tour – Hazlehurst, Georgia

Three manufacturing operations. Three distinct industries. One special GMA experience.

Join the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance for a three-part manufacturing tour in Hazlehurst, Georgia, featuring McPherson Manufacturing Corporation, South Georgia Cotton Gin, and Mary Hill Dumpling Shoppe.

This event brings together three very different production environments: industrial contract manufacturing, high-volume cotton processing, and specialty food production. Attendees will gain a broader perspective on how manufacturers manage equipment, materials, quality, and production flow across different industries.

About the Three Facilities

1. McPherson Manufacturing Corporation

Industrial Manufacturing, Assembly & Packaging

Operating since 1979, McPherson Manufacturing has developed a diversified manufacturing operation with four divisions, more than 200 employees, 240,000 square feet of operating space, and an additional 50,000 square feet dedicated to warehousing.

Its capabilities span contract assembly and packaging, metal stamping, air filtration products, and Sealcraft operations. The company serves customers with manufacturing and assembly solutions, including applications in the HVAC, electrical, and appliance industries.

McPherson maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification and manufactures products carrying recognized industry listings.

2. South Georgia Cotton Gin

Agricultural Processing, Automation & High-Volume Production

Experience the industrial side of Georgia's agricultural economy at South Georgia Cotton Gin, part of Cotton Partners, LLC.

The grower-owned organization supports nearly 100 members across more than 15 South Georgia counties.

Its Hazlehurst cotton gin, constructed in 2018, features three Cherokee Magnum 270 gin stands and equipment for compressing, strapping, and packaging cotton bales. The operation has the capacity to process more than 70 compressed bales per hour.

The broader organization also provides cotton storage, handling, transportation support, and marketing services.

This stop offers an opportunity to explore how agricultural raw materials move through a high-volume processing operation and into the supply chain.

3. Mary Hill Dumpling Shoppe

Specialty Food Manufacturing & Packaging

Our final stop introduces attendees to a different manufacturing environment: the production of traditional Southern food products.

Mary Hill Products, operated by The Dumpling Shoppe, Inc., is based in Hazlehurst and offers packaged dumplings and other Southern-style food products for retail and food-service customers.

Its product lineup includes multiple dumpling package sizes and varieties, along with Southern-style and buttermilk products.

This visit provides an opportunity to discuss the manufacturing considerations involved in producing consistent food products, including ingredient handling, production methods, packaging, and product quality.

Three Key Highlights

1. Explore Three Completely Different Production Environments

Compare industrial assembly and component manufacturing, agricultural processing, and packaged food production in one event.

2. Examine Equipment, Production Flow & Quality

See how different industries approach material movement, equipment utilization, process consistency, and finished-product requirements.

3. Connect With South Georgia Manufacturing Leaders

Meet manufacturing professionals and learn about the businesses supporting industrial production, agriculture, and food manufacturing in the Hazlehurst community.

Lean & Continuous Improvement Takeaways

• Production Flow: Compare how raw materials and components move through different manufacturing processes.

• Equipment Utilization: Explore the importance of equipment reliability and production capacity.

• Quality Systems: Consider how quality requirements vary between industrial products, agricultural commodities, and food manufacturing.

• Material Handling: Examine the role of receiving, inventory, packaging, and shipping in different operations.

• Operational Flexibility: Discuss how manufacturers respond to changing production requirements, customer demand, and seasonal workloads.

Who Should Attend

This special three-facility tour is designed for:

• Manufacturing Executives and Plant Managers

• Continuous Improvement / Lean Leaders

• Operations and Production Managers

• Manufacturing and Industrial Engineers

• Quality and Process Improvement Leaders

• Supply Chain and Logistics Professionals

• Maintenance and Reliability Leaders

• Business Owners and Manufacturing Suppliers

Manufacturing leaders interested in seeing how operational principles apply across different industries will find this event especially valuable.

Special Three-Facility Tour Agenda

Event schedule to be announced.

The event will include:

• GMA Welcome and Networking

• McPherson Manufacturing Corporation Tour

• South Georgia Cotton Gin Tour

• Mary Hill Dumpling Shoppe Tour

• Closing Discussion and Networking

Final tour times, travel instructions, and the meeting location will be provided before the event.

TOUR REQUIREMENTS

Attendance is limited:

1 Ticket for non-manufacturing companies
2 Tickets for manufacturing companies

CLOSED-TOED/FLAT-BOTTOM SHOES ARE MANDATORY. No High Heels!

No photos are allowed.

Additional visitor requirements may apply at individual facilities.

Tour Locations

McPherson Manufacturing Corporation
6 Gill Street, Hazlehurst, GA 31539

South Georgia Cotton Gin
438 Broxton Highway, Hazlehurst, GA 31539

Mary Hill Dumpling Shoppe
36 W. Jefferson Street, Hazlehurst, GA 31539

IMPORTANT: The starting location, parking instructions, and transportation arrangements will be confirmed before the event.