FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird Corp. has been nominated for the 2013 Georgia Manufacturer of the Year Award.

Blue Bird is nominated in the large manufacturer category, and the company is the second largest manufacturer in the automotive category in the state of Georgia.

The 2013 Georgia Manufacturer of the Year Award evaluates companies on specific criteria relating to economic impact in the state of Georgia, corporate citizenship, community and civic involvement, and employee relations. Since 1927, Blue Bird’s economic impact to the state of Georgia has remained significant, officials said. Blue Bird provides over $70 million in annual salaries and taxes, in addition to purchases of materials and utilities from Georgia-based suppliers, generating an additional $30 million in economic impact. Each Blue Bird bus produced and sold in Georgia provides a positive impact to the state GNP of around $86,000, officials said.  

Officials said the company employs 1,500 Georgians from over 20 Georgia counties.

Blue Bird operates three facilities in Fort Valley, including its world headquarters and manufacturing plant, a fabrication facility, and its parts and service offices. With environmental stewardship at the forefront of operations, Blue Bird is 89% landfill-free, with imminent plans that will increase the number to 98%.

Blue Bird has an established recycling program for all excess manufacturing materials and waste to further reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Additionally, Blue Bird builds a complete line of low-emission, alternative fuel school buses that operate on propane autogas and compressed natural gas.

Officials said corporate citizenship is exhibited daily at Blue Bird. With involvement in numerous state and local chambers of commerce, financial and volunteer support to area schools, colleges and universities, significant financial and volunteer support to local charities, and employee involvement in mentoring, job shadowing and individual tutoring programs, corporate citizenship is instilled at all levels of the company.

Blue Bird also employs a full-time corporate chaplain who leads bi-weekly, non-denominational services for employees, assists with employee counseling and performs regular hospital visits.

“Blue Bird is honored to be among the list of stellar manufacturers nominated, as it reinforces our corporate commitment to our employees, our dealers, our customers and the state of Georgia,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird. “Blue Bird’s headquarters and main operations have always been centered in Georgia. The Fort Valley, Peach County and surrounding Georgia communities have helped propel Blue Bird to become the leading manufacturer it is today.”

The 2013 Georgia Manufacturer of the Year announcements are scheduled for April 3 in Atlanta.

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