PAI Manufacturing & Thomco Plant Tour- Suwannee

PAI Manufacturing + THOMCO Facility Tour

Two Facilities. One Morning. Two Distinct Manufacturing Systems.

PAI Manufacturing and THOMCO operate in different sectors of manufacturing, yet both depend on disciplined execution, process control, and quality systems to compete. This dual-facility tour gives GMA members the opportunity to observe two production environments in one structured visit—precision component manufacturing for heavy-duty applications and engineered material converting for industrial markets. Attendees will gain practical insight into how different manufacturing models manage flow, inspection, and workforce alignment.

Opening & About the Facilities

PAI Manufacturing produces precision aftermarket replacement components for heavy-duty diesel engines and commercial truck applications. The Georgia operation supports machining, component processing, inspection, and assembly activities designed to meet strict dimensional and durability requirements within the heavy-duty market.

THOMCO is a Georgia-based manufacturer and converter of pressure-sensitive adhesives, tapes, and specialty materials serving industrial and consumer applications. The facility focuses on material converting, precision slitting, packaging, and quality verification to meet defined performance standards.

This combined tour allows attendees to examine two operational systems—metal component manufacturing and material converting—within a single structured morning.

Three Key Highlights

Heavy-Duty Component Manufacturing at PAI Manufacturing – Observe machining operations, dimensional verification processes, and production sequencing involved in manufacturing precision replacement parts for diesel engine applications.

Material Converting & Precision Processing at THOMCO – See how adhesive materials are slit, converted, and packaged using controlled processes that maintain accuracy and product consistency.

Operational System Comparison – Evaluate how two different manufacturing environments structure workflow, integrate quality checks, and manage labor to support throughput.

Lean & Continuous Improvement Takeaways

• Maintaining dimensional control within machining environments
• Integrating inspection checkpoints directly into production flow
• Applying standardized work across distinct manufacturing models
• Visual management methods that reinforce quality and schedule adherence
• Workforce coordination to sustain output across varied processes

Who Should Attend

• Continuous Improvement / Lean Leaders
• Operations / Plant Leadership
• Manufacturing Engineers
• Quality and Production Leaders
• Process and Industrial Engineers

Leaders responsible for machining performance, process discipline, or quality execution will gain the most value from observing two manufacturing systems operating under different production models.