Bainbridge Manufacturing has started production and is filling OEM orders, with its first truckload of parts shipping next week, according to CEO Abraham Levy.

For the heating exchange company that manufactures HVAC and cooling systems for the automotive industry, it’s been a long time coming. Like the majority of local businesses, Hurricane Michael set Levy’s schedule for Bainbridge Manufacturing back a few months. But despite the issues and holdups that cropped up one after the other the past 7 years, Bainbridge Manufacturing has announced itself open for business.

The company has close to 40 employees currently working, and Levy is looking for that number to grow to 100 by December.

“Many of the people we have hired were unemployed, recent high school grads or college students looking for a full-time job,” said Levy. “They come from all over—Cairo, Colquitt, Donalsonville, Attapulgus.”

Bainbridge Manufacturing is currently working with the Labor Department on finding new job applicants. Levy said he provides job applications onsite and conducts job interviews Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We know the labor market is tight,” said Levy. “There are many people with enormous potential who are stuck in a low paying job. We encourage them to apply. We provide training and will teach them everything they need to be successful at their job.” 

Bainbridge Manufacturing has invested roughly $11 million in its first phase, $1 million over the company’s commitment to the City of Bainbridge, Georgia and the U.S. Levy has brought in state of the art equipment to manufacture the components needed to create air conditioning parts for vehicles.

“We thank the City, County and State for their support and patience these past years,” said Levy. “It’s not easy to start an operation like ours, particularly when there is so much technology, robots and automation involved. These machines are very complex. Some took two years to design and build, and many took months to install.”

Bainbridge Manufacturing is located on 100 Industrial Blvd. at the Decatur County Industrial Park off Hwy. 27.