SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Southern Metalcraft Inc. co-owner Staci Williams said the family business would soon “come home” to Walton County. SMI broke ground late last month on its new facility off Industrial Boulevard in Social Circle.
The custom metal fabricating firm works with various metals such as steel, aluminum and specialty alloys.
“Southern Metalcraft is currently located in Lithonia,” said Dessa Morris, the workforce development director for the Development Authority of Walton County. “We are excited to welcome them to our community. They will be located at 885 Industrial Blvd. in Social Circle.”
“We are very happy their prayers and planning led this company to Social Circle, and we are looking forward to many years of mutual success and growth,” Social Circle Mayor David Keener said in a social media post.
“[The company] started looking for a site in Social Circle three years ago,” Williams said. “We bought the property one year ago and broke ground in March.”
She estimated construction on SMI’s new building would take up to a year to complete due to supply chain issues. The new building will have 125,000 square feet, a significant expansion from the company’s current 40,000-square-foot facility in Lithonia.
“And we’re in two separate buildings right now,” she said. “So we’ll be able to have everything under one roof.”
SMI employs 48 workers and currently has some job vacancies. Williams said they expect to hire up to seven more people once the new location is open in 2023.
Williams said she and her family have lived in the Jersey area of Walton County for 16 years and attend church in Social Circle.
“This area is home,” she said. “We were also looking for a community we can positively impact.”
Williams said they looked for potential sites in Rockdale and Newton counties, but decided to locate their expanded facility in Walton.
Southern Metalcraft also intends to offer work-based learning opportunities to students who attend Social Circle City Schools. The Williams family toured the SCCS agricultural mechanics lab last week and met with School Superintendent Robbie Hooker, Associate Superintendent Carrie Booher, CTAE Director Aaron Robinson and Ag Mechanics instructor Ben Brand. Williams said SMI also partners with the Rockdale County School System.
“It’s a win-win, as it benefits us also,” she said.
Ken Williams founded the family-run business in 1974. The elder Williams retired 12 years ago. Greg Williams is president and CEO of the company today.
