Event showcases growth at Milledgeville Fouts plant

Published 11:19 am Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Fouts Bros. Inc. remains a leader in building quality fire trucks and is one of the fastest growing industrial employers in Milledgeville and Baldwin County.

John Slawson, executive vice president of sales and marketing and business development at Fouts Bros. Inc, which is located in the old Rheem plant off Roberson Mill Road in Milledgeville, welcomed several dignitaries, including Georgia’s 8th District U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, to what is known as the company’s “Home Day” event Wednesday afternoon.

“Thank you all for coming; this is the Fouts Bros. Inc. Fouts Fire First Home Day,” Slawson said. “And we’re really, really honored and privileged that you took the time to learn a little bit more about our company, but more importantly the fire service industry and what we do in the industry within Milledgeville and the State of Georgia.”

Slawson then introduced team executives who helped make Fouts Bros. Inc. what it is today and what they envision as bright success in the future.

The top two executives include Scott Edens, who serves as president and chief executive officer of Fouts Bros. Inc. and his wife, Heather, who serves as executive vice president.

“On behalf of the nearly 420 employees within our organization, thank you very much for taking the time to come here and we’re really excited that you are here,” Slawson said.

He then provided a brief history of Fouts Bros., Inc.

“Scott’s grandfather started the business in 1952,” Slawson said. “And in a few short years we’re going to be celebrating our 75th anniversary as an organization and we’re really excited about that too, and we hope you come back in three years for an even bigger celebration than today.”

Scott’s Edens’ grandfather was C.J. Fouts, a longtime car dealer in Smyrna, Ga. The company’s founder died in 2005 after many successful years as a businessman and operating the Sinclair Gas Station in downtown Smyrna.

Edens is a third-generation family member of Fouts Bros. Inc.

“Scott came into the business in his early 20s as a young bright graduate from the University of Georgia,” Slawson said. “His grandfather asked him to join the business, which he did.”

In 2013, Edens acquired and moved Fouts Bros., Inc. In 2019, Edens moved its headquarters from Smyrna to Milledgeville.

Slawson said the move from Smyrna to Milledgeville was a great move for the company because there is nearly 700,000 square feet in its current facility and they have the ability to do what he described as “so many great things.”

Since its move to Milledgeville in 2020, Fouts Bros., Inc. has seen its production in building various types of fire trucks increase more than 100%.

It has allowed the company to grow not only domestically, but internationally.

Gary Pacilio, who serves as executive vice president of operations at Fouts Bros., Inc., also currently serves as president of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturer’s Association (FAMA).

He highlighted the company’s dedication to manufacturing life-saving equipment.

Pacilio also talked about what an honor it was for him to highlight the importance of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and SAFER Grants, which serve to support those brave first responders.

Edens followed Pacilio’s comments.

He said he appreciated Pacilio’s commitment and dedication to serving as the current president of FAMA.

As a company, Edens said he wants to see Fouts Bros. Inc. continue to grow so they can provide the kind of fire apparatus that firefighters throughout the country can use to save lives and property.

Edens noted many firefighters throughout the country serve as volunteers.

“Currently, we are supporting fire services with about 4,500 trucks,” Edens said.

Based on fire surveys, the fire service industry really needs about 6,000 trucks a year to support such things as population growth in certain areas of the country and due to natural disasters.

Fouts Bros., Inc. has supported the Professional Fire Services Industry for several years, Edens said.

The president and CEO of the company said he was most appreciative of Congressman Scott being able to attend the event.

Edens talked about going to the nation’s capitol earlier this year to talk with Congressional lawmakers.

“When you are there, you expect to meet with staff, and we were very appreciative that our Congressman Austin Scott was there on that very chaotic day to see how important this is to us, Gary, and FAMA.”

Edens also thanked Scott for his many achievements.

Scott was praised by Edens on his efforts to improve health care, to help bring about broadband to rural areas of Georgia, as well as what he has done to promote economic development, and infrastructure across Georgia.

He then had the pleasure of introducing Scott to the audience.

Scott said he was glad to visit Milledgeville and to be back visiting Fouts Bros. Inc.

He lauded the executives at the company as well as their employees in both the Milledgeville and Texas plants for their hard work and their determination to put out quality equipment for use by firefighters throughout the country.

“They’re doing an amazing job here at their Milledgeville plant and I couldn’t be more proud of a business that’s growing and becoming more and more successful with every passing year,” Scott told The Union-Recorder. “I wish them many, many successful years going forward.”

Many of those who attended the event were later treated to a tour of the plant and production area, which will be expanded and able to produce even more fire apparatus yearly once such expansion is completed.