The Georgia Center of Innovation’s Manufacturing team has facilitated a partnership between TSG Resolute, a manufacturer based in Americus, and Atlanta-based technology company Casi to address labor shortages. TSG Resolute produces products such as gaskets, thermal insulation, and electrical insulators for other manufacturers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the company shifted production to make face shields for hospitals after learning about the need from local healthcare providers.
Reagan Barksdale, President of TSG Resolute, described the quick response: “They sent photos, and it turned out we had all the materials available to make face shields that go over N-95 masks,” he said. “We jumped right in and went from making none on Thursday to 10,000 a day on Monday.”
Initially, Georgia Southwestern University assisted with assembly and distribution efforts. However, as labor shortages worsened during the pandemic, TSG Resolute sought help from the Georgia Center of Innovation. The company’s leadership reached out after working with John Morehouse, Director of the Center’s Manufacturing team, and Derek Woodham from Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) on previous projects.
Barksdale explained that they considered developing an app at Georgia Tech or another university but were instead referred by Morehouse to TeamWRX and ultimately to Casi—a company specializing in communication and scheduling software for staffing.
“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 worked with Casi for about a year before launching their texting platform. 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.”
More than 500 community members signed up as part-time contract workers through this system. This allowed TSG Resolute not only to assemble face shields but also other core products using remote labor.
Customer Service Manager Jason Williams detailed how daily operations function: “Using the Casi system, we are able to text individuals about open opportunities,” he said. “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 many job opportunities are claimed within minutes.
Casi CEO Justin Rainer commented on their collaboration: “Working with the TSG Resolute team has been a win-win for both organizations,” he said. “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 highlighted benefits of flexibility: “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,” he said.
He also credited ongoing support from Georgia Center of Innovation: “We know they’re here to help when we need it,” Barksdale said. “If companies have issues, they should reach out to the Center. Usually the Center of Innovation knows people they can connect you with. They certainly steered us in the right direction. I would encourage anyone to use them… They’re very connected to resources in Georgia.”
Information about connecting with Georgia Center of Innovation is available at georgia.org/center-of-innovation.
