The Georgia Center of Innovation’s Manufacturing team has helped TSG Resolute, a manufacturer in Americus, Georgia, address workforce shortages by partnering the company with Atlanta-based technology firm Casi. The collaboration resulted in the implementation of a text-based staffing platform that allows TSG Resolute to quickly assemble a flexible labor pool.
TSG Resolute produces items such as gaskets, thermal insulation, and electrical insulators for other manufacturers. During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company shifted some operations to produce face shields for hospitals in Atlanta and Crisp County. “They sent photos, and it turned out we had all the materials available to make face shields that go over N-95 masks,” said Reagan Barksdale, President of TSG Resolute. “We jumped right in and went from making none on Thursday to 10,000 a day on Monday.”
Georgia Southwestern University played a role in initial assembly and distribution efforts. However, as labor shortages worsened during the pandemic, TSG Resolute contacted the Georgia Center of Innovation for assistance.
Barksdale had previously worked with John Morehouse, Director of the Center’s Manufacturing team, as well as Derek Woodham from Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), on supplying Kia’s Georgia plant with materials. After discussing options with the Center of Innovation team—including developing an app at Georgia Tech—Morehouse suggested reaching out to TeamWRX and later referred TSG Resolute to Casi.
“My colleagues in the Center of Innovation Logistics team and our Executive Director had been working with TeamWRX on other projects,” said Morehouse. “When I shared TSG’s needs, they referred me to Casi, a sister company that had designed a software suite to serve a very similar purpose. I held an initial conversation with Casi, and they were excited by the opportunity to help manufacturers, especially in Georgia. I was thrilled because if the project was a success, it could help not only TSG but could serve as a model for manufacturers around the state to implement an innovative, flexible workforce solution that’s good for companies and workers alike.”
TSG Resolute collaborated with Casi for about a year before launching their texting platform. Initially used internally, it was later expanded for communications with part-time employees assembling kits offsite. According to Barksdale: “We met with Casi and worked with them, facilitated by the state, for about a year before launching the texting platform. We began using it for internal communications and were then able to structure it for communicating with the part-time employees who would be assembling face shield kits offsite.”
Over 500 people from Americus—including professionals and retirees—signed up as contract workers through this system. Daily operations now involve between 50 and 100 individuals working on assemblies such as lighting components or insulation kits.
“Using the Casi system, we are able to text individuals about open opportunities,” said Customer Service Manager Jason Williams. “Once they respond and accept, we label the box or boxes for them to pick up, and they can come to the Pack Center and pick up parts that day. We request that these parts be returned to the Pack Center in one or two days for quality inspections and forwarding to our customers.” Williams added that this approach has increased output: “We are constantly working to make sure we have enough parts at the Pack Center to have opportunities available, as many are claimed within minutes.”
Casi CEO Justin Rainer described it as mutually beneficial: “Working with the TSG Resolute team has been a win-win for both organizations…TSG came to Casi with a new idea around creating a pool of on-demand employees that could assemble products at home. Casi’s innovative on-demand scheduling through text messaging allowed TSG to optimize their scheduling process. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with forward-thinking clients like TSG.”
Barksdale noted that flexibility is key: “Casi’s system is built on people who want flexibility – the ability to earn a paycheck while working safely and comfortably in their homes. Not everyone can stand on a plant floor every day…We’re just a text message away from enough people to pack for us, so we’re able to grow our plants, contribute to the local workforce, and invest in more assets.”
He continues regular communication with the Center of Innovation: “We know they’re here to help when we need it,” he says. “If companies have issues, they should reach out to the Center…I would encourage anyone to use them…They’re very connected to resources in Georgia.”
For businesses seeking support from Georgia’s Center of Innovation’s services or connections within state industries or workforce solutions,
more information is available at https://www.georgia.org/center-of-innovation.
