BALDWIN COUNTY, Ga. — Fouts Brothers Inc. started turning out fire trucks in Milledgeville four years ago. Now, they say they're still growing.
Reporter Ellie Millikan went to their factory to see how they're helping first responders and Baldwin county's economy.
John Slawson is vice president of sales and business development for Fout Brothers Inc. He says his job keeps him busy, but he loves it anyway.
“I think we really have a passion to help our customers,” he said.
The company has been around in Smyrna, Georgia for 70-plus years, but Slawson says their business has grown significantly since moving to Baldwin in 2020.
“We've been able to expand our growth as far as our fire truck business. We have now a national distribution channel that represents Fouts Fire throughout the country,” Slawson said.
He says business has increased 125% since they opened their Milledgeville factory. On Thursday, they invited first responders, elected officials and others to look around.
“So that we can educate all of these individuals so they can continue to work with our elected officials to help support grants that are really, really important as far as the fire industry,” he said.
He says 75% of firefighters are volunteers, and some of these grants will give money for fire trucks and for fire equipment.
Slawson and Fouts Brothers Inc. say they wants to help firefighters. He says they've helped around 350 people get jobs here.
Congressman Austin Scott says he's excited for what Fouts Brothers Inc. brings to this small county.
“It helps that much more that we are in small town America. This is an example of why the country needs small and midsize businesses cause they're gonna come to the small and midsize county,” Scott said.
The Fouts Brothers say they plan to do even more growing.