Tag: Manufacturing

Burnside America will invest at least $4.8 million in Franklin County to create and retain nearly 50 total jobs. This private sector investment is the second in Franklin County this year under the Shapiro Administration – building on the August announcement that Corrugated Partners will also invest in Chambersburg. Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh […]
In 2011, Jack Pfunder, CEO of the Manufacturers Resource Center in the Lehigh Valley, had the idea to create a student video contest to address outdated perceptions of manufacturing by showing students and parents what happens behind the doors of their local manufacturers. Ten years later, the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing contest continues to […]
New Century Careers (NCC) is working hard to make sure they are supporting southwestern Pennsylvania manufacturers by promoting the availability of their Manufacturing 2000 (M2K) program and through it, developing a skilled workforce that can continue to fuel the state’s historic manufacturing industry. Training Our Future Workforce The M2K program was created to back these […]
There’s no question that across the country, many manufacturers are facing challenges in filling open positions. Employers and economic development agencies are scrambling to facilitate training programs to provide essential skills to workers who can fill these positions. In the Lehigh Valley, where manufacturing is the second largest employment sector consisting of nearly 15% of […]
There may be some misconceptions about the manufacturing industry — and Northampton Community College (NCC) is doing something about it. For many people, and for a variety of reasons, traditional higher education just isn’t in their plans — whether it’s a matter of cost or being eager to jump right into the workforce. Regardless, most people seek […]
Pennsylvania’s Industrial Resource Center (IRC) Network, comprised of seven not-for-profit organizations across the state, helps small to mid-sized manufacturers grow, thrive, and continue to be a vital part of Pennsylvania’s economy. The IRCs will expand their outreach to small and medium-sized businesses and continue to provide technical, strategic, and market-based assistance to manufacturers under the […]
Erie, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and other PDE officials visited McDowell Manufacturing – a student-run initiative – at McDowell High School in Erie to learn how students are being prepared for careers in the manufacturing field and beyond. “I am elated to join McDowell Manufacturing and […]
Pennsylvania’s innovation ecosystem is fueling a wave of successful startups in the biotech sector. These startups are developing the newest medical technologies and processes that are saving lives and positioning Pennsylvania as a global leader in innovation. We talked to Dr. Tia Lyles-Williams, founder and CEO of startup LucasPye BIO, to learn more about her […]
Prysmian’s expansion will retain more than 400 jobs statewide, create at least 27 new jobs, and bolster Pennsylvania’s growing manufacturing sector. Williamsport, PA – Today, Governor’s Action Team Executive Director Brent Vernon highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to strengthening Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry during a beam signing ceremony for Prysmian Group North America, a world leader […]
Governor Shapiro’s budget proposes a $12 million increase to the Pennsylvania First program, the same program that supported Cabinetworks expansion in Huntingdon County. Huntingdon County, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and Acting Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger toured the Mt. Union facility of Cabinetworks, a national kitchen cabinet manufacturing company […]
In 2013, Onex — a western PA-based, family-owned manufacturer that specializes in industrial furnace production and maintenance — was in trouble. The company, which had been operating in Pennsylvania for more than fifty years, needed a major turnaround to stay in business. Ashleigh Walters was asked to take on the formidable task of becoming the […]
The Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Program helps manufacturers identify and train a skilled workforce for current and future in-demand positions. It also addresses workforce barriers, engages youth, and showcases the opportunities in manufacturing. Grants up to $200,000 can be used for new training programs, internships, equipment purchases, and more. It’s a great way for schools, […]
The Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grants Program supports registered apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania. By providing Pennsylvania employers with grants to help cover expenses related to instruction complementing on-the-job training, the program increases the availability of apprenticeship opportunities. A true win-win for both apprentices and employers hoping to recruit and train skilled talent. Germany is […]
Northampton Community College Almost a year ago, we highlighted how Northampton Community College (NCC) was supporting its surrounding manufacturing industry through its Micro-credentials in Manufacturing program, where thanks to funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), anyone can access accelerated training for manufacturing industry job placement. And, almost a year ago, we […]
Jami Pasquinell Occupation: Executive Director In December of 2014, Jami Pasquinelli joined Pittsburgh’s Economic Development South (EDS) community development corporation as the commercial district manager in the Mt. Oliver and Knoxville neighborhoods. She spearheaded The Bakery Society Pittsburgh (TBSP) project after she started the “Sweet Saturdays” event with EDS — an opportunity for community bakers […]

Maker Monday: Panther Boards

November 26, 2018
Panther Boards is a student-run company at William Tennent High School that produces fully custom, high-performance skis. The business offers student employees a unique way to gain experience as entrepreneurs through taking on executive positions in marketing, finance, technology, human resources, product design, graphic design, supply chain management, and hands-on production. Panther Boards creates each […]
Elisabeth Smith Occupation: President and CEO Owned by Elisabeth Smith, Acutec Precision Aerospace is a forward-thinking, data-driven machining and subassembly supplier partner serving the aerospace industry. In June 2018, Acutec announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility, which will create 60 new manufacturing jobs. For almost five years, Smith has managed operations at Acutec, and […]
Ashland Technologies, Inc. (Ash-Tec) is a leading contract manufacturer of machined and fabricated parts with a mission to become the first national chain of machine shops in locations throughout the United States. The company, headquartered in Schuylkill County, is known for manufacturing roller coaster cars and other items for amusement parks and arcades. Most recently, […]
Sarah Murray Occupation: Librarian Employer: Blossburg Elementary School and Liberty Elementary School Blossburg Elementary School and Liberty Elementary School, both part of the Southern Tioga School District, transformed portions of their respective libraries into makerspaces, enabling students to tinker, explore, and creatively involve themselves in the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics […]
Matric, Group Seneca-based Matric Group provides world-class electronic manufacturing services for commercial, industrial, medical equipment, and aerospace markets. We spoke with president and chief executive officer Rick Turner to learn how the fast-growing, innovative company utilized the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) program to continually invest in its future with upgraded machinery and job training. […]
Plastek Group, Erie Plastek Group is a world-class manufacturer of plastics packaging for the personal care, home care, food and beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Headquartered in Erie, Pa., Plastek also has facilities in North Carolina, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Mexico offering industrial design, product and packaging development, mold design and injection, assembly, and […]
A manufacturer of one hundred percent organic, cold-pressed, high-pressure processed juices and nutrition shots, Lumi Juice relocated to Malvern, Pa. We spoke to Hillary Lewis Murray, founder and CEO at Lumi Juice, to find out why her company chose Pennsylvania and what it means to them to be doing business in the Keystone State. Seeking […]
The Drexel Center for Functional Fabrics, a regional hub for designing and prototyping smart fabrics, embodies the innovation, imagination, and legendary can-do spirit found in Pennsylvania. We toured the Center’s Shima Seiki Haute Technology Laboratory to learn how it creates fabrics that see, hear, sense, communicate, and even harvest energy. The Rise of the Internet […]
A third-generation family-run, homegrown business, The DelGrosso Family of Companies uniquely stands out as both an amusement park operator and a sauce manufacturer. The family operates a sauce plant in Blair County’s Tipton, Pa., on the premises of DelGrosso’s Amusement Park and Laguna Splash Water Park, America’s only Italian-themed water park. We recently spoke with […]
Part of what we do at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) every day is to promote the manufacturing industry, showcasing the positive impact it has both on the state’s economy and on working families. How could we not, knowing the industry has an $84 billion impact on PA’s economy and the […]
As a national manufacturer of vinyl and aluminum windows and doors, Crystal Window & Door Systems operates five production facilities and has distribution in more than 40 states around the country. In 2015, Pennsylvania became one of their newest production facilities. We spoke to Steve Chen, Chief Operating Officer at Crystal Window & Door Systems, […]
About the Small Business Spotlight The second Saturday of each month, the #PAProud blog highlights small businesses and owners who are delivering new products, services, or technology; are positively impacting their local community; or are offering creative solutions to their own challenges or those of others. In honor of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, […]
Starting this month, the team from Keystone Edge — a digital magazine covering what’s next and best in Pennsylvania — will be giving #PAProud readers an inside look at each month’s issue. For November, it’s all about making things in Pennsylvania — past, present, and future. Our lead story looks at the maker movement across […]
Manufacturing is the foundation of Pennsylvania’s economy — our state boasts a deep heritage and rich legacy in the industry. Throughout the history of our nation, Pennsylvania has been a leader in manufacturing, and today, our unique blend of world-class R&D institutions, technology commercialization programs, technical and industrial resources, and our skilled workforce create a […]
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