Our History
For sixty years Georgia-Carolina Manufacturing Company, Inc. has mixed cutting edge products with good old-fashioned quality and service to customers located throughout Georgia and the Carolinas.
"When I think of the history of this company the one word that best sums it up is "family." Over the years we have tried to take care of our employees and customers as if they were part of a second family. We invite you to read more about how the Company got started, how it grew and some memories offered by long-time employees and family members."
- John R. Owen, Sr., President & Owner |
The National Ventilated Awning Co. is established by Bill Britt of Thomaston, GA. Bill receives a patent on the ventilated awning, which becomes the company's primary product. Sales and manufacturing facilities are established in Thomaston, GA and Augusta, GA. The Augusta operation is set up in the former Bon Air Hotel horse stables, located at the corner of Heard Ave. and Heckle St. (The ventilated awnings are shown in the picture to the right.) |
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After returning from serving his country in WWII, A. Watson Cordes, Jr. begins working for the National Ventilated Awning Co. in Augusta during the summer of 1945. As a salesman, he sells both residential and commercial awnings (See picture). During his summer employment, Watson impresses Mr. Britt with his sales and managerial abilities. Before Watson's return to school in Atlanta at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall of 1945, Mr. Britt invites Watson back for the following summer. |
Watson returns to Augusta for the summer and sells the Zephyr awning, the company's flagship product. At the end of the summer, Mr. Britt promises Watson a job opportunity upon graduation from Georgia Tech.
Watson graduates in March of 1947 and takes Mr. Britt up on his offer by accepting a job with the company as a salesman and manufacturing supervisor. With his sales volume and hands on involvement in the construction of the awnings, he is able to win respect from both Mr. Britt and his fellow employees. Witnessing Watson's hard work and achievements, Mr. Britt allows Watson to manage the Augusta operation.
In October of 1947, using his GI Loan, Watson makes an offer to buy the Augusta operation from Mr. Britt. He accepts Watson's bid. Upon the closing of the sale, Watson renames the company Georgia-Carolina Ventilated Awning Co.
"Those were very lean years in the early going… when we purchased the company… we really didn't have a whole lot… Watson used to joke that all we owned was our automobile, a Lincoln Zephyr, a Magnavox radio, and the clothes on our back…he used to say we didn't even own our two twin girls, the First National Bank of Augusta owned them, due to the fact that we had to borrow the money to pay for our hospital bills at their birth."
-Monique Cordes |
After two successful years running the company, Watson is recalled in the Army as the conflict with Korea escalates. Since he is in jeopardy of losing the business if he goes to war, Watson applies for and receives a six-month deferment. This allows him time to find a partner to help run the operation if military orders to go to Korea come through. Fortunately, Watson never receives those orders, and in the meantime he brings on Allen Matthews, a former Thomaston employee of Mr. Britt.
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The Board of Education in Augusta requests use of the Heard Ave. property, the current location of the Company's operations. The company moves to the former location of the Forest Hills Hotel stables. Later that year, Watson buys out Allen Mathew's partnership interest and the company is renamed:
Georgia-Carolina Manufacturing Co, Inc. The new name signifies the Company's expansion in its product line, extending beyond the awning products. The company ventures into walkway covers, venetian blinds, windows and even self-launching boat trailers, a patented design held by Watson. |
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The Company prospers magnificently during this period constructing residential and commercial projects all over Georgia and the Carolinas. |
Georgia-Carolina Manufacturing Co, Inc. becomes the innovative leader in walkway covers during this period winning awards from all of its suppliers and thrilling customers with designs never before seen. |
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John R. Owen, Sr., is hired as a salesman for the company. Under the tutelage of Watson, John becomes the Company's leading salesman and helps the Company introduce many of its new building materials and products.
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As Georgia Carolina marched into the eighties it unfortunately was time to say goodbye to some of the Company's first employees. One such long-time employee was Henrietta Smith.
"Watson used to say Henrietta was the best he had ever seen at making an awning, her attention to detail was uncanny and she set the tone for everyone else in the shop regarding the commitment to quality Watson held so dear."
- Monique Cordes |
In 1980, the Company's current location at North Leg Court is constructed. The new facility with increased manufacturing space allows the company to handle larger materials and fabricate even more innovative shapes and designs. |
After Watson's retirement from full time work in 1990, the torch of overseeing the operation passed on to John R. Owen, Sr., who continues to direct the Company to this day.
Over the years, the company has broadened its product line to include both exterior and interior projects (as seen here), upholding its promise of quality no matter what the undertaking. |
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NEED PICTURE |
Georgia-Carolina is chosen to represent Four Season Sunrooms, North America’s Premier Sunroom Manufacturer.
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