For nearly 60 years, Cooper Machine Company has designed and built high-quality sawmill, pallet, and cooperage equipment for customers across the U.S. and abroad. Based in Wadley, Georgia, the third-generation family business got its start in 1965, when founder Billy Cooper developed the innovative Overhead End Dogging Scragg — a product that remains a company hallmark.
Today, CEO Frances Cooper carries on the family legacy, mentored by her father, Robert, and supported by her team. But like many manufacturers, Cooper Machine has faced challenges finding and hiring the skilled labor needed to grow. When the search for mechanical engineers became a barrier, Frances turned to the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) in Augusta and area director Rebecca Mixson for support.
"Running a business is not an easy task. And there’s some good times and there’s some bad times. But when we do have some struggles, we know that we can call on the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center to help us with whatever problem we have.”
The UGA SBDC in funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
All SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the United States. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
The UGA SBDC is an accredited member of America’s SBDC.
The University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center
382 East Broad Street
Athens, GA 30602-5412
P: (706) 542-2762
