County officials enjoyed a tour of the new plant for Global Manufacturing Services (formerly General Assembly) in the industrial park on Monday. It was an eye-opening look into the technical world of electronic circuit boards assembly and solutions.

The company was started by Arlie Keith in 1987 as American Components Corporation making components for Sprague Electric. The company branched out into circuit boards and general assembly, and was renamed General Assembly around 1990. Keith managed the company until January 2005 when he sold it to Tom Lane with plans to retire. Keith came out of retirement to buy the company back earlier this year and renamed it, hiring Henry Doss of Todd to manage the transition and serve as president of the company.

During the visit this week, Keith thanked county commissioners for helping him acquire the land and building for Global Manufacturing Services. The previous site in downtown West Jefferson was originally designed as a storefront and not for manufacturing, he said, and there were problems with maintenance and space. The new building is a spacious facility with state-of-the-art equipment in 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

Keith started the business basically with nothing, he said, and in 2005 sales had nearly reached $9 million with 55 people employed. Today he has about 46 employed with plans to hire many more as the business grows.

Keith is also grateful to the county, he said, for working to develop ball fields below the industrial park, on a site previously used by Beaver Creek High School. This will enhance the appearance of the area, Keith said. He has hopes of an improved entrance to the industrial park with a large sign for easier recognition.

The county is working on that goal, said County Manager Dan McMillan, and also working with the state legislature to obtain funding to extend the industrial parkway all the way to US 221 and connecting the Tigra site for better access between the highway and Ray Taylor Road. McMillan also praised Keith for continuing the company and retaining the jobs.

Commission Chair Richard Blackburn praised Global Manufacturing Services and Arlie Keith for the company’s economic benefit to the county. In return, Keith congratulated the county on partnering with the Energy Star program.

The group of county officials, including Commissioners Richard Blackburn, Gary Barber and Judy Porter Poe, County Manager Dan McMillan and Economic Development Director Dr. Pat Mitchell, were led on a tour of the plant by Mark Jasniewski, production manager, and accompanied by Keith, Doss, and Walter Parsons, director of sales and marketing.

For more information, call 246-5143.