Macon-Bibb County has been making things for generations.

What’s being made and how it’s made has changed dramatically over the years. But one thing has stayed consistent: manufacturing has continued to bring jobs, investment, and opportunity to Macon.

From textiles and tires to consumer products, building systems, and advanced manufacturing, Macon-Bibb’s industrial base has evolved alongside the technology and workforce needed to support it.

As National Manufacturing Month begins this October, it’s worth looking back at some of the companies and investments that helped shape that story, and the people and partnerships preparing it for what comes next.

Setting the Foundation

Macon’s manufacturing story reaches back nearly 150 years.

In 1876, the Bibb Manufacturing Company was established, helping make textiles an important part of Macon’s economy and laying the foundation for an industrial community that would continue to grow for generations.

Decades later, in 1962, the Georgia General Assembly created the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority to support economic development, create jobs, and attract industry.

More than 60 years later, that mission continues as companies invest in new facilities, expand existing operations, and create opportunities for local workers.

Long-Term Investment

Some of Macon-Bibb’s strongest manufacturing stories are also some of its longest.

In the early 1970s, YKK purchased 54 acres in Ocmulgee Industrial Park, opening its National Manufacturing Center in 1974. 50 years later, YKK still remains a major part of the local manufacturing community.

Irving Consumer Products has followed a similar path of continued investment. After opening its first greenfield manufacturing plant in the United States in 2019 with an investment of approximately $470 million, the company added another $400 million and 150 jobs. In 2025, Irving announced another $600 million investment and at least 100 additional jobs, bringing its total investment in Macon-Bibb County to roughly $1.5 billion.

These stories show how an initial investment can grow into something much larger over time.

A New Generation of Manufacturing

Today, that growth is still taking on new forms.

In 2022, YKK AP announced plans for a new manufacturing facility investing up to $125 million in investment and 100 jobs. The facility incorporates updated technology and manufacturing processes, reflecting how much the industry has changed.

Other recent announcements have continued to expand Macon-Bibb’s manufacturing base.

First Quality announced a $418 million expansion in 2024 expected to create 600 jobs and increase production capacity for baby diapers and training pants.

In 2026, Unified Legacy announced plans for a $125 million precision manufacturing facility expected to create 500 jobs. ArcelorMittal Building Solutions also announced a $57 million investment for a new North American headquarters and manufacturing facility, with up to 70 jobs and potential for additional expansion.

Together, these projects show the range of manufacturing taking place in Macon-Bibb today- from consumer products and building systems to precision and advanced manufacturing.

Preparing the Workforce

The industry may look different than it did decades ago, but one thing remains just as important: people.

Many of today’s manufacturing facilities rely on robotics, automated equipment, and other technologies that require increasingly specialized skills.

That’s why workforce development has become such an important part of Macon-Bibb County’s growth.

The Advanced Manufacturing Pathway at the W.S. Hutchings Career Academy is one example. Its inaugural class, which reached full capacity this year, is gaining hands-on experience with the technology and skills used in modern manufacturing while receiving college credits and building connections with local industry partners.

It’s an early investment in students who will help shape the next generation of manufacturing in Macon-Bibb County.

Made Here, Growing Here

Macon-Bibb County’s manufacturing story stretches from textile mills in the 1800s, to some of the region’s most advanced production facilities today.

Along the way, companies have invested billions of dollars, created thousands of jobs, expanded their operations, and built long-term relationships within the community.

The next chapter may look different from the last, but the foundation remains strong: an established manufacturing base, available sites and infrastructure, committed industry partners, and a growing pipeline of local talent.