Victor Olivas, plant manager for Bainbridge’s newest industry, Bainbridge Manufacturing, came to Rotary this week to update and educate the club members on the processes and progress of the company.

He assured all that the company had studied many locations before making the decision to come to Bainbridge — a decision with which he said he was very happy.

He and his family have settled nicely into the community and he has a saying that is descriptive of his satisfaction, “One day in the country is worth a month in the city.”

Olivas was aided by a power point presentation and the presence of actual manufactured parts, as he explained how each of the parts functions in a

climate control unit. The company makes units for use in the automotive as well as commercial industries and their customers have a world-wide presence.

He repeatedly emphasized that each and every component of the units will be manufactured here in the Bainbridge plant — a condition he considers necessary in order to be competitive.

In answer to the many people who meet him and ask when the company will get started, he said he wishes he could reply, “Tomorrow.”

However, every single process must be capable of producing and all new equipment is being brought in – much of it from foreign countries. He said they will begin collecting machinery and equipment in August. Some are already in Miami, while others are being built.

One machine that is 425 feet long takes over a year to build, he explained.

The company’s growth is mapped out in phases, with Phase I aiming to hire 25-30 people by the end of 2014.

He also indicated that the company will have a need for more highly skilled workers and plans are to work with the schools, including Bainbridge State College, to develop apprentice/internship programs and special training within a year. Future plans also call for a division of research and development, a cafeteria and day care program for employees.

He continued through Phase II, that would show 100 employees by the end of year three, and on through Phase IV, calling for 240 employees at the end of year ten.

Olivas said “Everything in my life is planned from here through the next ten years. I’m not going anywhere.”

Olivas has an electro-mechanical engineering degree and has 30 years of manufacturing experience, 21 of them with the Ford Motor Company and has worked in nine different countries.