Shaw's Barron Selected GTMA Chairman

Dalton, GA, May 21--William A. Barron, Jr., vice president of manufacturing for Shaw Industries, was recently elected chairman of the Association of Georgia's Textile, Carpet and Consumer Products Manufacturers, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen. Barron is the first representative from a carpet manufacturer to serve as an officer in the association's 103-year history. "We as an industry share a lot of the things we do in the environmental and human resources sector," Barron said. "Any time you can pool that diversified group of people to bring out the best practice and best information that everybody shares, I think everyone can benefit." GTMA president Roy Bowen said, "Bill brings great perspective of the carpet industry's needs in the legislative and regulatory area. He has very strong organizational and leadership skills." Barron has been affiliated with the GTMA for three years, first as the Shaw representative, then as treasurer, vice chairman and now chairman. "A lot of the carpet mills have been diversifying in more than just carpet," Barron said. "Not only do we bring the carpet perspective in that section of textiles, but we are also involved in other segments of textiles whether it be rugs, bath mats or things like that." Barron said GTMA also functions as a lobbying group. "Another part of the GTMA is working with the state agencies and state Legislature to be sure that they have the best interest of textiles as a whole," Barron said. "That is one of our driving forces. We can make a difference on the rules and regulations that impact the textiles industry which includes carpet." The Legislature passed a bill during the 2003 session that would exempt the value of carpet samples from sales tax. That bill is an example of how GTMA benefits the carpet industry, Barron said. Barron has been with Shaw for 34 years, joining the company after a two-year tour in the Army. Barron began his career with Shaw as an industrial engineer in Cartersville in 1969. He was promoted to director of manufacturing over the Cartersville operations in 1974 and moved to Dalton in 1977 to become the director of carpet manufacturing. In 1992, he was promoted to vice president of manufacturing with responsibilities for fiber extrusion yarn, carpet samples and engineering.

Related Topics:Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

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