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Please save the date for our fifth annual Manufacturing Day celebration from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, October 4, at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center. This year’s event will be spectacular, showcasing more than 80 exhibits, programs and demonstrations, designed for participants to experience innovative manufacturing technology in a hands-on, interactive environment plus educational breakout sessions throughout the morning. More than 2,000 educators, students and community leaders are expected to attend! Visit www.paMFGDAY.com for the latest updates or to view photos from our 2017 event.
PRESENTED BY:
ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS:
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Patty Welther at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or pwelther@mbausa.org.
VOL. XXXI NO. 6 | JUNE 2018
AG AEGIS COMPANY, INC. 30 YEARS OF HELPING EMPLOYERS ACHIEVE ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY GOALS
SPOTLIGHT Q&A:
NICK SCOTT TALKS HOSPITALITY, TOURISM AND HARBOR PLACE
SPECIAL SECTION: THE MBA’S NEW TRAINING CATALOG
TWO BIG EVENTS. ONE GREAT BIG CELEBRATION! Don’t miss your opportunity to be a big part of the fifth annual Manufacturing Day celebration.
MFG SHOWCASE EVENT (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.): Our kickoff event gathers more than 2,000 students, teachers, administrators, policy and industry advocates into our Exhibit Hall to explore numerous hightech exhibits and interactive demonstrations, including 3D printing, robotics, CNC machining, drone technology and more! Plus, this year’s event offers even more cutting-edge breakout sessions for attendees to interact with a diverse group of industry experts and learn about the high-paying jobs available in a variety of manufacturing industries.
MBA ANNUAL EVENT COCKTAIL RECEPTION (5 – 7 p.m.): Our evening gathering, which includes more than 1,000 business and community leaders, begins with a two-hour networking and cocktail reception inside the Exhibit Hall, giving ample opportunity for sponsors and exhibitors to reach some of the most influential business people in our region. We believe that by working together, we can promote the importance of a robust and innovative manufacturing industry — the most powerful force behind our nation’s economy, which continues to provide outstanding career opportunities for our young people.
BE BIG! Please consider joining this year’s Manufacturing Day Celebration as a sponsor, exhibitor or both! We have a variety of packages designed for every interest and budget. Please contact Patty Welther at pwelther@mbausa.org or Lori Joint at ljoint@mbausa.org or call 814/833-3200 for more information.
FEATURES FEATURE STORY | WHAT’S INSIDE
3
Hospitality and Tourism How these industries are serving up new opportunities.
COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE
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AG Aegis Company, Inc. Learn how this Corry-based consulting firm has been able to help businesses achieve their environmental, health and safety goals for the past 30 years and how it has positively positioned itself for future growth.
SPOTLIGHT Q&A | DEVELOPMENT
6
DEPARTMENTS
SPECIAL SECTION
12
BUSINESS BUZZ
EVENTS & EXTRAS
13
PEOPLE BUZZ
19
HR CONNECTION
20
LEGAL Q&A
WHAT’S NEW
25
AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS
WORKPLACE TRENDS
GET ANSWERS
Executive Editor Karen Torres ktorres@mbausa.org
Feature Photography AG Aegis Company, Inc. R. Frank Photography
Contributing Writers Lori Joint Dan Miller Justin Schaneman Rene Sims
Additional Photography iStockPhoto.com Casey Naylon
Nick Scott, president and owner of Scott Enterprises, talks about the exciting developments under way along Erie’s Bayfront, as well as how the industry has grown and what his expectations are for the future.
EDITORIAL HEALTH MATTERS | RESOURCES
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See the latest happenings at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s Conference Center in Erie!
How clinical intervention can improve the health of those at highest risk. Justin Schaneman and Rene Sims
LEGAL BRIEF | LIABILITY
11
READ ON THE GO! For the most current Business Magazine updates, visit mbabizmag.com
Steps employers should take to promote a harassment-free workplace. Dan Miller
ON THE HILL | INDUSTRY
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Advertising Sales David Thornburg 814/833-3200 dthornburg@mbausa.org
Why Pennsylvania should be the keystone in the chemical manufacturing renaissance. Lori Joint
INSERT | TRAINING CATALOG
Design, Production & Printing Printing Concepts Inc. printcon@erie.net
See the Association’s upcoming HR and professional development courses.
On the Cover: AG Aegis Company, Inc. executive management team, including Tim Coldren, David Alexander and Chad Jack, stand outside the firm’s new headquarters on Route 6 in Corry, Pennsylvania. The environmental, health and safety consulting firm is marking its 30th anniversary in 2018. See page 4. Mission Statement: The Manufacturer & Business
Association is dedicated to providing information and services to its members that will assist them in the pursuit of their business and community interests. – Board of Governors
Manufacturer & Business Association 2171 West 38th Street | Erie, Pa. 16508 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660 www.mbausa.org
© Copyright 2018 by the Manufacturer & Business Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial, pictorial or advertisements created for use in the Business Magazine, in any manner, without written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. The Business Magazine and Manufacturer & Business Association do not specifically endorse any of the products or practices described in the magazine. The Business Magazine is published monthly by the Manufacturer & Business Association, 2171 West 38th Street, Erie, Pa. 16508. Phone: 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660.
mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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Hospitality & Tourism
FEATURE STORY | WHAT’S INSIDE
HOW THESE INDUSTRIES ARE SERVING UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES Hospitality and tourism are big business. In addition to helping attract visitors to some of the region’s best assets, these industries are a driving force of the economy and have tremendous impact on communities across the globe — and close to home. According to research from Select USA, the U.S. travel and tourism industry generated more than $1.5 trillion in economic output in 2016, supporting 7.6 million U.S. jobs. Travel and tourism exports accounted for 11 percent of all U.S. exports and a third (33 percent) of all U.S. services exports, positioning travel and tourism as the nation’s largest services export. One out of every 18 Americans is employed, either directly or indirectly, in a travel or tourismrelated industry. In 2016, U.S. travel and tourism output represented 2.7 percent of gross domestic product. While the majority of activity in the industry is domestic, expenditures by international visitors in the United States totaled $244.7 billion in 2016, yielding an $83.9 billion trade surplus for the year. According to U.S. Department of Commerce projections, international travel to the United States should grow by 3 percent annually through 2021. The United States leads the world in international travel and tourism exports and ranks second in terms of total visitation. Keystone State According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, tourism is one of Pennsylvania’s key industries, generating more than $40 billion annually from visitor spending and supporting nearly half a million jobs, primarily in the hospitality sector. Each year, the Commonwealth hosts almost 200 million travelers from across the United States, nearly 2 million visitors from Canada,
and 1 million from overseas markets. Almost 14 million travelers visit the state’s national park sites, including northwest Pennsylvania’s Presque Isle State Park, and their spending contributes significantly to the state’s economy each year. Tax revenues generated at both the state and local level from tourism fund vital services including public safety, education, and other essential programs that benefit all Pennsylvanians. Tourism also provides a wide range of employment opportunities across numerous industries and all skill levels — from entry-level clerks to chief executives and from industrial to scientific. Here, in our June edition of the Business Magazine, we’ll take a look at the many businesses and organizations that are helping to draw visitors to our region. But first, we’ll go behind the scenes and talk to representatives from AG Aegis Company, Inc. in Corry, Pennsylvania on how they’ve been helping many of these employers achieve their environmental, health and safety goals for 30 years.
We’ll also hear from Nick Scott of Scott Enterprises on how he’s been able to put Erie on the map as a travel destination through his more than 50 years of hospitality experience, as well as his many hotels, restaurants and resorts. Plus, don’t miss our guest column on the important role that food safety and handler training can play in your operation’s success and overall customer experience. The Manufacturer & Business Association is proud to support member companies of all industries, including those in the hospitality and tourism sectors, in delivering a world-class customer service experience. To learn more about our many offerings, take a look at our newly redesigned Training Catalog in this issue or visit www.mbausa.org to learn more!
KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS COMING BACK!
mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE
Aegis’ team of professionals has more than 200 years of combined experience in the environmental, health and safety services industry.
30 YEARS IN BUSINESS Corry Firm Helps Employers Achieve Environmental, Health and Safety Goals Safety data sheet management. Phase I environmental site assessments. Stormwater permits, plans and reporting. Asbestos sampling and inspections. Indoor air quality testing. First aid classes. And more.
tank removal, wastewater monitoring, asbestos inspections, Phase I environmental site assessments and compliance audits, to name a few. On the safety side, services consist of everything from safety audits, employee training (asbestos awareness, back injury prevention and CPR) to safety data sheet management, preparing a list of hazardous chemicals in the workplace and more.
Establishing a safe and healthy working environment can be a daunting task. That’s why it’s important to know the right people who can help navigate the regulations and compliance issues that go handin-hand with local, state and federal regulatory agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Environmental Protection. That’s where the AG Aegis Company, Inc. (Aegis) difference comes in. Headquartered in northwest Pennsylvania, the consulting firm has been providing valuable environmental, health and safety services to employers of all sizes and industries for 30 years. Aegis professionals are often behind the scenes helping employers comply with regulations, advocating for progressive environmental policies and protecting workers’ safety. These industry experts assist lenders, manufacturers, commercial businesses, schools, hospitals, real estate developers, architects and engineering firms in 22 states and Canada in handling all of their environmental and safety management functions, or supplement their in-house programs on an as-needed basis. “Our company has come a long way very quickly, and we now have the people with the talents and the skills necessary to tackle almost any type of environmental or safety project,” explains the Aegis President David Alexander, who recalls the formation of the company in 1988 when its primary role was processing (material) safety data sheets. “Today, we’re a one-stop-shop for environmental and safety compliance.” For example, on the environmental side, Aegis services include SARA Title III reporting, storage
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“There are safety companies and then there are environmental companies,” explains Chad Jack, vice president of Marketing and Sales for Aegis. “Rarely, do we compete with one company that does everything we do.” This one-stop-shop approach has been a catalyst for Aegis’ success and growth that has positively positioned the company in the long term. In fact, it was just two years ago that Aegis made a substantial investment in relocating and renovating a former police barracks into its new 6,000-square-foot office and training facility off Route 6 in Corry. The move has given Aegis more office space, a garage for vehicles and space for equipment storage, as well as a new conference room and classroom for its highly sought-after training courses, including respirator and confined space training, among others. “That’s not to say we’re not experiencing growing pains, but this new office space has given us the room to grow,” adds Alexander. Aegis presently employs 14 professionals with a combined experience of more than 200 years of industry knowledge and experience that clients have come to know and trust. Working with industries where regulations are constantly changing, these experts must be persistent in staying up-to-date with certifications and knowledge base. They also take the time to learn about their customers first, then tailor and design programs to fit their needs — be it an audit and maintenance program, simple report or training. “With the different types of clientele we have, we’ve become so experienced and knowledgeable about regulatory compliance issues in a wide range of operations that most people probably wouldn’t be aware of,” states Alexander. “That has really moved us into a great position of being trusted and relied on to get it right the first time.”
David Alexander, President
And, in a competitive business world, where reputation is everything, getting it right matters most. “In many cases,” adds Tim Coldren, vice president of Technical Operations, “we have clients that are owned by
Aegis provides a broad range of services to assist clients with the their regulatory and compliance needs.
big corporations where just having a violation on your record is way worse than any fine they’ll get.” Aegis aims to mitigate any problems employers may encounter so they can devote their time to what they do best — running their businesses. For some companies, this could be outsourcing all of the environmental, health and safety functions; for others, it’s supplementing some of the work. “The original plan was to go to these facilities and talk to the person who needed help because he or she was doing five other jobs and teach them what we know, and try to enable them so they can do that work themselves,” explains Alexander. “What we found was that wasn’t the case. There was no time for that person to do that as a sole job. There was no time for that person to learn. So what we saw was a need for a temp-like agency where you provide somebody to them for the short term or the long term. Whether safety or environmental, if we get our foot in the door, it doesn’t take people long to see that we want to wrap our business around the way they do business.” Given that it has worked with more than 55 of its clients for 20 years or more, Aegis has a proven track record of client satisfaction. Bill Andrews, president and general manager of Monofrax, LLC, in Falconer, New York, which was purchased by a Germany-based company in June 2016, knows the benefits of working with Aegis firsthand. “Coming out of the sale, many of our functions were centralized internationally. Bringing in Aegis allowed us to be able to focus on what we needed here locally and domestically, as well as to work toward improvement and a change in our culture, making safety and environmental compliance and programs of vital importance to everyone here.” “Bringing in a team with so much experience and so many ideas on things that we could do to improve, and providing different
approaches to get there, as well as the training that we needed, was a real blessing to our organization,” Andrews continues. “They even hold a seat on our safety committee. We are proud to count them among our partners.” At Aegis, finding new ways and flexible options to add value to their services is key. This could be providing all safety data sheets in a searchable online or sever-based program within the workplace to a client or having an online client portal to access records and reports easily when needed. The firm, which regularly conducts onsite training for clients around the country by Safety Program Manager Adam Sankey, recently added training sessions at its headquarters and online training programs, as well. “Although most of our clients want an instructor in front of them, this allows employees who have missed a training session or are newly hired to make it up online, and they can be compliant in a matter of minutes,” says Coldren. For Alexander, the decision to go ahead with online services took some convincing. “I thought at first there are so many online training programs out there, why would you choose ours? Because we’re able to make it specific to their needs, and our clients find that very useful.” At Aegis, having the resources and the right people is what has set the company apart in the environmental, health and safety industry for 30 years — and what it expects will be many more to come. “We have surrounded ourselves with a tremendous group of employees and also subcontractors that we trust and rely on. Our team builds a partnership with the clients so we get the job done quickly, efficiently and right.” For more information about AG Aegis Company and its services, call 814/664-8103 or 800/669-8103 or visit www.aegis-usa.com.
AG Aegis Company, Inc., founded in 1988 in Corry, Pennsylvania, is a fullservice environmental, health and safety consulting firm located at 13675 Route 6, just 25 miles east of downtown Erie and centrally located between the major metropolitan areas of Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Aegis Safety Program Manager Adam Sankey provides instruction on CPR training at the company’s new Route 6 facility. Sankey also provides onsite training for clients as needed.
Among its many services are: asbestos sampling and management services, safety data sheet management, assessments, safety training, environmental services and auditing services.
mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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SPOTLIGHT Q&A | DEVELOPMENT
A View of Hospitality, Tourism and Harbor Place Hospitality and tourism are a driving force of the U.S. economy and have a tremendous impact locally and in nearly all corners of the world. Here, Nick Scott, president and owner of Scott Enterprises, talks about the exciting developments underway along Erie’s Bayfront, as well as how the industry has grown and what his expectations are for the future. Through your more than 50 years of business experience and your many hotels, resorts and restaurants, there is no question that you have helped put Erie on the map as a travel destination. How would you describe your vision for Scott Enterprises? Throughout my life, I have loved to travel, and am passionate about my hometown of Erie. With the exception of the four years I spent studying in the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, I have lived in Erie all of my life, witnessing numerous changes and the ongoing evolution of Erie. My vision and perseverance over the years comes from my father, Christ Skountzos, who emigrated from Greece as a 13-year-old boy, entirely on his own. He was a gogetter, a true Renaissance man. He was a talented painter and violinist, who was fascinated in many hobbies throughout his life. Early on, he entered the hotel industry with the Scott’s Motel, which opened in 1950. As a young man, I spent my summers as a lifeguard and gardener at my father’s new hotel. At the time, it was a new concept — motels with parking in front of them. It was a modern concept, and Scott’s Motel was one of the first in the tri-state area to adopt the design. My father was always a visionary thinker and tried to come up with unique ideas to differentiate his businesses. My dad always secretly wanted me to become a concert pianist,
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JUNE 2018 • mbabizmag.com
and while I believe I was quite good at one time, I always found myself intrigued by the hospitality industry and the idea of expanding my family’s business. During my time at Cornell University, I was exposed to many new ideas and concepts. Shortly after graduation, I returned to Erie and began exploring one of those concepts — franchising. In the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, we opened franchised restaurants such as Bonanza, Arby’s and Applebee’s. Beginning in 1985, we entered the hotel business in a big way. I discovered a growing demand for hotels on the interstate, where America was beginning to travel, and I decided I would pursue the opportunities presented there. We then built the Days Inn at the State Street Exit of I-90. You really drove the development of upper Peach Street. Tell us more. When we began to develop upper Peach Street, there were several obstacles at the time that needed to be overcome. When we built our second hotel, the Comfort Inn at the Peach Street Exit of I-90, there wasn’t a completed water system in the area. The only option for the new hotel was to install our own water tank in a closed-circuit service for the hotel. Trucks hauled water to the hotel daily. Ultimately, the investment was well worth it, and the hotel flourished. Today, we operate businesses in every corner of that intersection. When success combines with ambition, the two forces come together and push you forward. Soon after that, my two sons Chris Scott and Nick Scott Jr. and my daughter Alison Scott came into the family business, followed by my son-in-law Lance Lehr.
With the combined efforts of our family, we’ve continued to expand and develop new opportunities. Each of my children have unique talents that contribute to our company’s growth. My wife, Kim, has played a big role in keeping family members working together to achieve business success. What about your indoor water park Splash Lagoon? When I first came up with the idea to create an indoor water park in Erie, people thought I was crazy! It was a revolutionary idea at the time but upon opening, Splash Lagoon became an immediate success. Since opening in 2003, Splash Lagoon has undergone four expansions. The construction of Splash Lagoon made a big economic impact on the hotel market. Several new hotels have been constructed in the area surrounding Splash Lagoon since its opening. If you were to recreate the project today, it would cost $90 million to $100 million. It’s been very successful, and we have another expansion in the works for later this year. We’re constantly searching for new ideas for the water park and ways to improve our guests’ experience and, of course, we’re very proud of Splash Lagoon being named one of the country’s best water parks by numerous publications, including USA Today and TripAdvisor. 2018 is proving to be an exciting year with the groundbreaking of the Harbor Place project and construction of the Hampton Inn & Suites hotel, the centerpiece of your $160 million project near Erie’s Bayfront. Please share some highlights. We have been working on the concept
of Harbor Place for years. Weber Murphy Fox Architects have been involved with planning, and improving the plan to be more than just another hotel site with another everyday brand. We know that whatever we create on the Bayfront needs to be special, it has to be the best that we can afford — and maybe even beyond that — to ensure Harbor Place is a lasting and iconic development for Erie. We were very fortunate to receive $5 million from the Commonwealth for this project. The new Hampton Inn & Suites will be a boutique-style hotel with 95 guest rooms, 30 percent of which will be larger suites. It’s going to be eight stories tall. A crowning jewel will be the indoor/outdoor rooftop bar, restaurant and event center atop the hotel, which will serve tantalizing flavors with local flare, surrounded by truly stunning views of Presque Isle Bay. The next phases are expected to be just as ambitious. Tell us more. Harbor Place will be built in nine phases, beginning with the construction of the Hampton Inn & Suites. A mixed-use development office building with retail space will be constructed in phase two of the project. Following those initial phases
will come a parking garage, which the Parking Authority is working with us on, followed by the construction of about 120 townhouses and apartments on Holland Street Pier. In future phases, we’ll add more restaurant and retail space, a second hotel (which may be an extended stay hotel) and additional parking spaces. In the final phases, we’ll be constructing the east basin townhomes that are along the waterfront. The project has a creative design that will enhance the spaces to be an ideal place to live, work and play. In addition to Harbor Place, there have been some major construction projects going on downtown. What are your thoughts on seeing construction cranes in the air? Erie has been a sleeping bear of sorts, being somewhat dormant over the past 20 years, but it’s awakening. Erie Insurance has taken a visionary lead in making things happen. The presence of Gannon University, GE, UPMC Hamot, the Convention Center, city and county governments, Erie Insurance and the numerous downtown businesses and Bayfront highway improvements bode well for the future of Erie, the Bayfront and downtown districts.
What does the future hold for Scott Enterprises? Peek’n Peak Resort has been a very exciting and rewarding addition to our portfolio in recent years. I think we’ll continue to invest heavily in The Peak and continue to grow it. We’re finalizing plans for an expansion at Splash Lagoon. It’s a wonderful asset, and it draws a lot of people to Erie. We’re continuing our work in the hotel field. There is a parcel of land in Grove City we’d like to develop into a hotel and restaurant. We now have two hotels in Buffalo, as well. We currently have more than 2,000 employees on our team at 28 locations and host over 4 million guest experiences per year at our various hotels, restaurants and resorts. We pay a lot of taxes in Erie County while also supporting charities and the arts throughout our community. I’m grateful that our family-owned company has grown to be a major player in the Erie economy and will be a vital part of my hometown community’s future. That 13-year-old boy who emigrated from Greece in 1916 would be amazed to see how his original business has grown.
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mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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tourism counts in erie, pa
Tourism is an important and growing leg of Erie’s economy. VISITOR SPENDING 2001
2016
$463
MILLION
$1.1
BILLION
WAGES 2001
$187
MILLION
JOBS
it’s a beautiful day!
2016
$404
MILLION
TAXES
2001
2016
2001
11,000
16,500
MILLION
$96
2016
$191
MILLION
visiterie.com | 1.800.524.3743
Sporting events are a major component of our region’s tourism economy. The Erie Sports Commission works to attract, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues.
59 events
A DIVISION OF VISITERIE
2014 & 2016 National Sports Commission of the Year
VISITERIE MAJOR SPONSORS:
hosted and supported in 2017 resulting in more than
$14 million estimated economic impact.
GROWTH EVERY YEAR 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
09 EVENTS 19 EVENTS 36 EVENTS 38 EVENTS 54 EVENTS 59 EVENTS
Learn more at ErieSportsCommission.com
TRAINING SCHEDULE WE’RE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU!
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER 2018
MANUFAC
2018
JULY
CLASS LOCATIONS All courses are held at the MBA Conference Center in Erie, unless otherwise noted.
LEADERSHIP
Corry:
Higher Education Council 221 North Center Street
SUPERVISORY SKILLS CERTIFICATE SERIES Course II 7/10 and 7/17 Course IV 7/26 and 8/2
Franklin:
Franklin Industrial & Commercial Development Authority, Emerging Technology Center, 191 Howard Street
BUILDING TEAMS (a.m. only)
7/13
LEADING CHANGE (a.m. only)
7/19
MOTIVATING YOUR EMPLOYEES (a.m. only)
7/24
Meadville: Holiday Inn Express 18240 Conneaut Lake Road Pittsburgh: SMC Business Councils 600 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 190 Williamsport: Holiday Inn Express 90 Pine Street * Handicap access and parking available at all sites.
ONSITE TRAINING CONVENIENCE: Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it. CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS: From full-day to halfday programs, we will tailor any program to fit your specific needs. FOCUSED INTERACTION: Group training discussions focus on the key topic areas specific to your company’s environment.
REGISTER TODAY!
LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS CERTIFICATE SERIES Course III (Franklin) 7/12
MOTIVATING YOUR EMPLOYEES (a.m. only) Williamsport 7/26 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SUPERVISORS Williamsport
7/25
WORKPLACE CIVILITY (a.m. only)
7/11
WORKPLACE CIVILITY (p.m. only) Williamsport
7/24
MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS WRITING TO WOW! (a.m. only)
QUALITY INTRO TO PROCESS CAPABILITY (a.m. only)
EMAIL: TNUNEZ@MBAUSA.ORG * A.M. classes run 8 a.m. to noon, and P.M. classes run 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Cancellation/No-Show Policy: If notice is four business days or more, a full refund will be made. If notice is less than four business days, or if you do not show up for the class, no refund will be made. NOTE: You may substitute another individual from your organization at any time and at no cost.
7/10
SAFETY ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
7/16
SUPERVISORY SAFETY SERIES Course III
7/11
HUMAN RESOURCES LEVEL I - HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATE SERIES Interviewing & Hiring (a.m. only)
7/10
ADVANCED - HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATE SERIES FMLA & ADA (a.m. only) 7/12
COMPUTER TRAINING
VISIT: MBAUSA.ORG CALL: 814/833-3200 800/815-2660
7/27
Learn the coolest tips and tricks to the latest computer applications available today. Classes can be taken individually or as part of a certificate series.
• Access Level I • Excel Level I • Excel Level II • Excel Level III • PowerPoint • QuickBooks Pro • Word Level I • Word Level II
9/13 7/10, 8/14, 9/4 or 9/26 7/17, 8/21 or 9/18 7/24 or 8/28 8/7 8/24 7/31 9/11
CTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
TRAINING SCHEDULE AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP
SUPERVISORY SKILLS CERTIFICATE SERIES Course III 8/7 and 8/14 Course V 8/23 and 8/30
SUPERVISORY SKILLS CERTIFICATE SERIES Course I 9/12 and 9/19 Course IV 9/4 and 9/11 Course I (Pittsburgh) 9/11 and 9/12 Course I (Meadville) 9/13 and 9/20
LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS CERTIFICATE SERIES Course I 8/7 Course II 8/28 Course IV (Franklin) 8/2 Course V (Franklin) 8/30
LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS CERTIFICATE SERIES Course III 9/18 STRATEGIC FINANCE
9/6
DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS (a.m. only)
8/2
INFLUENCE & PERSUASION (a.m. only)
9/14
ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SUPERVISORS (Corry)
8/9
STATISTICS FOR THE NON-STATISTICIAN
9/18
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
9/21
COACHING FOR SUCCESS!
9/27
CUSTOMER SERVICE (a.m. only)
8/10
SAFETY ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION NEW EMPLOYEE SAFETY ORIENTATION (a.m. only)
8/20 8/8
“
The Supervisory Skills Series is a great resource to provide the fundamentals of management, team leadership and motivation. It is an investment in the future of Larson Texts, both managers and employees. — Susan Dombrowski, Vice President of HR and Finance Larson Texts, Inc.
PRESENTATION SKILLS (a.m. only; two-day class) 9/14 and 9/21 PR BOOTCAMP! (a.m. only)
9/7
MARKETING PLANNING (p.m. only)
9/7
INTRO TO SOCIAL MEDIA (a.m. only)
9/10
DIGITAL MARKETING & SEO (p.m. only)
9/10
WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
9/17
MUST-HAVES OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION (a.m. only) 9/21
QUALITY LEAN OPERATIONS (Three-Day Workshop) 9/19, 10/17 & 11/14
“
SIX SIGMA (Three-Day Workshop)
HUMAN RESOURCES LEVEL I - HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATE SERIES Compensation & Benefits (a.m. only) Interviewing & Hiring (Meadville) (a.m. only) Terminations (Meadville) (1 - 5 p.m.) Compensation & Benefits (Meadville) (a.m. only) Discrimination & Harassment (Meadville) (1 - 5 p.m.) Employment Law - What HR Should Know (Meadville) (a.m. only)
MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS
9/20, 10/18 & 11/15
BLUEPRINT READING (4:30 - 7:30 p.m.) 9/25, 9/27, 10/2, 10/4 and 10/9 8/7 8/14 8/14 8/15 8/15
SAFETY
8/16
LEVEL I - HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATE SERIES Employment Law - What HR Should Know (a.m. only) 9/11
ADVANCED - HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATE SERIES Job Descriptions & Reasonable Accommodation (a.m. only) 8/9 FMLA & ADA (Butler) (a.m. only) 8/14 Job Descriptions/Accommodations (Butler) (1 - 5 p.m.) 8/14 Handbook Essentials (Butler) (a.m. only) 8/15 Form I-9 Compliance & Onboarding (Butler) (1 - 5 p.m.) 8/15 Understanding the FLSA (Butler) (a.m. only) 8/16
ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
9/17
HUMAN RESOURCES HR for NON-HR PROFESSIONALS
9/19
ADVANCED - HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATE SERIES Handbook Essentials (a.m. only) 9/13 FMLA & ADA (Warren) (a.m. only) 9/18 Job Descriptions/Accommodations (Warren) (1 - 5 p.m.) 9/18 Handbook Essentials (Warren) (a.m. only) 9/19 Form I-9 Compliance & Onboarding (Warren) (1 - 5 p.m.) 9/19 Understanding the FLSA (Warren) (a.m. only) 9/20
CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS TRAINING 25 YEARS 10,000 GRADUATES THROUGH THE MBA Thank You... for selecting the Manufacturer & Business Association as your preferred
training provider! Our Certified Supervisory Skills series is considered one of the premier employee leadership programs in the region for businesses of every size and type. COMING SOON TO A TRAINING FACILITY NEAR YOU!
To request this program in your area or to schedule a class onsite at your facility, please contact Patty Welther at 800/815-2660, 814/833-3200 or Pwelther@mbausa.org. Visit mbausa.org to view upcoming public offerings.
Reach Them the Right Way How clinical intervention can improve the health of those highest at risk
HEALTH MATTERS | RESOURCES
are reviewed by a pharmacist to assist with issues such as a need for lower-cost options, negative side effects and the risk of interactions between multiple medications. A medical research librarian provides information to help members take control of their health and make health-care decisions that lead to improved outcomes. What kinds of results can be expected? In our experience, within a year of enrolling, about half of participants see significant improvement in health, risk and utilization metrics. It may take longer for participants with more complex situations to “graduate.” Measures of success include engagement with a primary care provider, a decrease in the number of prescription drugs, specialists and lost work days, increased productivity at work and improved quality of life.
Justin Schaneman, MS, is the vice president for Data Analytics at HCMS Group, a WorkPartners affiliate.
Editor’s Note: This is the second of two articles on leveraging integrated data and applying it to clinical interventions. Here, the focus is on how to create a holistic clinical prevent model. The high-risk top 5 percent typically drive more than 50 percent of overall health-care spending when absenteeism, disability and workers’ compensation are included. Predictive analytics that weigh workers’ compensation, disability, incidental absence, and medical and pharmaceutical claims can be combined to create a risk index that provides early identification of individuals who will soon be both high-risk and high-cost. Clinical intervention can then be offered to those who need it most. How does a clinical prevention program work? Individuals identified through predictive analytics should be invited to enroll in a clinical prevention program, based on the employer’s cultural preferences. This model uses
Rene Sims, MSN, is vice president of Clinical Services at HCMS Group, a WorkPartners affiliate.
a holistic approach beyond conventional disease management, which is typically triggered by specific conditions such as diabetes or cancer. The data for high-risk individuals consistently shows that costs associated with multiple conditions often produce a cascading effect. Addressing all the conditions, including work, family and social issues helps individuals navigate the health-care system and make better decisions about their treatment, leading to fewer relapses and a more sustainable recovery. Individuals can be invited through a series of outreach calls and letters. Enrollment rates are typically high because these individuals often feel desperately lost in the fragmented health-care system and welcome the additional resources. In this model, a nurse serves as the primary point of contact and continually evaluates the individual’s needs while adjusting the action plan to address those needs. Medications
HCMS conducted a pre/post enrollment study of 3,864 enrollees into a clinical prevention service from 10 companies in 2016. The companies ranged from 500 to 21,000 workers across multiple industry sectors. The most drastic decreases occurred in the number of medical tests, which correlated to a significant decrease in visits to multiple medical providers. The second biggest impact was a reduction in the number of medications. In some cases, the number of diagnoses decreased by the time an individual graduated from the program. It’s common for people in high-risk groups to experience high-cost events for a matter of months and then begin to recover. Typically, there is a rapid increase in the costs of absence, disability and health care, followed by a rapid decline. However, for individuals enrolled in a clinical prevention model, the decline starts significantly sooner and falls significantly more. This results in tangible cost savings during the first year after intervention. By providing high-touch clinical support and actionable information across all dimensions, this model empowers individuals to take charge of their health and improve the quality of their life. As big data opportunities expand in the workforce health arena, advanced analytic and predictive modeling is becoming even more relevant and can improve outcomes for both the employee and employer. The key is to partner this predictive power with a clinical service that can leverage that intelligence effectively, targeting individuals who will benefit from the service. Learn more about HCMS Group at www.hcmsgroup.com or WorkPartners at www.workpartners.com. mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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LEGAL BRIEF | LIABILITY
Steps Employers Should Take to Foster a Harassment-Free Workplace harassment policy needs to be posted in conspicuous places, such as employee bulletin boards. An employer must be able to prove that each employee has received a copy of the harassment policy. Educate Employees While publishing a harassment policy is an important first step, it is also important to educate employees, including supervisors, as to the contents of the harassment policy and how to handle such complaints. An employer’s liability for harassment is often due to a supervisor’s failure to identify harassment and take appropriate action. Employees need to be educated that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that the work environment is free from harassment. In particular, supervisors need to be aware of their role and responsibilities.
Daniel M. Miller is a senior partner and chair of the MacDonald Illig Labor/ Employment Group and a member of the Business Transactions Group. His practice consists primarily of representing businesses, nonprofits and municipal entities in the areas of employee relations, employment discrimination, collective bargaining, labor relations, unemployment compensation, and wage-and-hour matters. Much has been written in the last several months about public figures falling from grace and entities being sued for harassment. There are important and fairly simple steps employers should take to prohibit, investigate and address harassment in the workplace. Defining Harassment Discrimination and harassment in the workplace is prohibited by federal, Pennsylvania and local law. Employers are required to maintain a work environment
that is free of harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation and other protected classes. Employers who fail to provide a work environment free from harassment are subjected to significant liability. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual or gender-based conduct where acceptance or rejection of the conduct is used to make employment decisions or the conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. There are several steps an employer should take to attempt to avoid claims of harassment. Implement a Harassment Policy The employer should adopt a policy prohibiting unlawful harassment in the workplace and setting forth a procedure for investigating and addressing harassment complaints. The policy should include a definition of harassment, including sexual harassment, should identify specific individuals to receive complaints of harassment, should prohibit retaliation, should protect employees from bad faith claims, and should indicate that employees will be subject to discipline up to and including discharge for violations. The policy needs to prohibit harassment by employees and third parties who may come into contact with employees. The
Investigate Complaints In order to have an effective harassment policy, employers must thoroughly investigate and address complaints of harassment. This involves conducting an investigation to determine the facts and evidence from the alleged victim, the alleged harasser and any witnesses. Often complaints of harassment involve documents such as e-mails and text messages. Once the investigation is complete, it is imperative that the employer reach a conclusion and take appropriate action. Such actions include discipline of the harasser and a summary report of the investigation to the victim. Many claims of harassment result from employers simply not taking complaints seriously and not conducting a thorough investigation. Conclusion Employers often erroneously believe that simply because they have a harassment policy, they can avoid claims of harassment. It is important to note that it is not enough to simply maintain a harassment policy. Employers must also conduct training and ensure that the workplace is free of harassing conduct. If you have any questions concerning this article, contact Dan Miller at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP at 814/870-7708 or any other member of the MacDonald Illig Labor and Employment Practice Group.
mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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BUSINESS BUZZ | WHAT’S NEW ‘PAWN STAR’ TO BE GRAND MARSHAL OF ROAR ON THE SHORE® 2018 Rick Harrison, the star of History’s “Pawn Stars,” will lead Roar on the Shore’s® Bringin’ in the Roar® Bike Parade this summer in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Harrison is a co-founder of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop on Las Vegas Boulevard. Named one of the city’s top nongaming tourist attractions, the pawnshop sees about 4,000 visitors each day. Now in its 15th season, “Pawn Stars” has become one of History’s highest-rated shows. The Bringin’ in the Roar® Bike Parade departs at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 19 from Presque Isle Downs & Casino before arriving at The Hub in downtown Erie. Donation to ride in the parade is $20 per bike in advance and $25 at the gate. Established in 2007, the Manufacturer & Business Association created the Roar on the Shore® Bike Week to raise funds for worthy charities. This annual event combines a music festival and motorcycle rally that features 12 scenic rides throughout the region. Since that time, the rally has seen unprecedented growth, drawing tens of thousands of people from across the country. The 12th annual Roar on the Shore® Bike Week — Erie’s official bike week — is set for July 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2018. Proceeds will benefit the Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center, Erie’s oldest nonprofit human service provider for children with behavioral challenges. Erie Insurance is the title sponsor of the event. “Erie Insurance is a remarkable organization and is part of the fabric of our community,” said Roar® Executive Director Ralph Pontillo. “We are honored that Erie Insurance is the title sponsor for the 2018 event and can think of no better organization for this level of sponsorship.” Pontillo explained sponsorships are a critical component of Roar on the Shore’s® success. Together, sponsors have helped raise more than $880,000 for charitable organizations, including the John Kanzius Cancer Research Fund, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Erie, local Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, SafeNet, Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign, Boys & Girls Club of Erie, St. Patrick’s Haven, Erie Homes for Children and Adults, St. Martin Center, and Mercy Center for Women. For more information, visit www.roarontheshore.com or www.sarahreed.org.
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The annual Roar on the Shore® Bike Week draws hundreds of thousands of people to Erie, Pennsylvania each July. This year’s rally is set for July 18-22. See ad on page 24.
J. M. SMUCKER COMPANY TO ACQUIRE AINSWORTH PET NUTRITION
The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) (“Company”) recently announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, LLC (“Ainsworth”) in a transaction valued at approximately $1.7 billion, after an estimated tax benefit of $200 million. Ainsworth is a leading producer, distributor, and marketer of premium pet food and pet snacks, predominately within the United States. Approximately two-thirds of Ainsworth’s sales are generated by its Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® brand (“Nutrish”), which is driving significant growth in the premium pet food category. Ainsworth also sells pet food and pet snacks under several additional branded and private label trademarks. “Ainsworth Pet Nutrition is an excellent strategic fit for our Company, as the Rachael RayTM Nutrish® brand adds another high-growth, on-trend brand to our pet food portfolio,” said Mark Smucker, chief executive officer. “Their team has done a tremendous job growing this business, building Nutrish into one of the most recognizable premium pet food brands in the United States. We look forward to working with the talented Ainsworth team, as we know their passion for pets runs as deep as ours.” “Smucker’s decision to acquire Ainsworth Pet Nutrition validates the power of the Ainsworth company mission,” said Jeff Watters, president and CEO of Ainsworth. “At Ainsworth, our goal has been to improve the lives of pet families everywhere by making high quality pet food accessible to all pet parents. This single-minded focus has resonated with consumers and will continue to resonate under Smucker leadership.” “After five generations, our family, in partnership with L Catterton, made the decision to sell Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to The J. M. Smucker Company,” said Sean Lang, executive chairman of Ainsworth. “We took great care to find the right
home for our brands and our people, to whom we are so grateful. The J. M. Smucker Company, also a fifth-generation family company, is led by a like-minded family to our own. We expect the combined horsepower of these pet care organizations to achieve great things.” Ainsworth is a privately-held company headquartered in Meadville, Pennsylvania. In addition to its headquarters, the transaction includes two manufacturing facilities owned by Ainsworth, which are located in Meadville, Pennsylvania and Frontenac, Kansas, and a leased distribution facility in Greenville, Pennsylvania. J.M. Smucker anticipates that more than 700 Ainsworth employees will join the Company in conjunction with the transaction. The 120-year-old J. M. Smucker Company is a leading marketer and manufacturer of consumer food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America.
WALDAMEER UNVEILS NEW RIDES FOR 2018 SEASON
Waldameer Park & Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania, has unveiled two new attractions for its 2018 season. According to the park, the first addition is the new Balloon Race ride in Kiddieland, which “spins riders round and up and down in hot-air balloons.” The ride is located next to Bonnie’s Cookie House and Happy Swing. In Water World, the park has added its new CannonBOWL slide. Located next to Liquid Lightning and Awesome Twosome slides, the new slide has “drops and twists before dropping riders into a giant bowl.” Since 1896, Waldameer & Water World has been entertaining families with more than 100 rides, slides and attractions. Waldameer, which is family owned, is also the fourth oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania and the 10th oldest in the United States. For more information, visit www.waldameer.com.
MANUFACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2018-2019 BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) recently announced its 2018-2019 Board of Governors, including members of its Executive Committee. Mark Rose, director of Erie Operations at LORD Corporation, has been named chairman of the MBA Board of Governors. Employed by LORD for 30 years, Rose began his career with the company in 1988 as a manufacturing engineer. His initial tenure included roles of increasing responsibility in manufacturing engineering and production management positions. Rose spent many years of his career involved in management roles within the New Product Introduction process for the Aerospace & Defense Industry Group. He subsequently held plant manager roles in several LORD facilities including Erie, Saegertown, and Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania and Dayton, Ohio. Rose was born and raised in Erie and earned a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and further earned his master of science degree in industrial engineering, specializing in manufacturing engineering. He is an active supporter of the Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System, vice-chair of the Industrial Advisory Board for the Penn State Master of Manufacturing Management Program, an executive sponsor of the Community School partnership between LORD Corporation and McKinley Elementary School and is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Waterford. Rose is joined on the MBA’s Executive Committee by Vice Chairman Mike Mankosa, executive vice president – Global Technology – Eriez Magnetics; Treasurer Mark Raimy, chief executive officer, Welders Supply Company; Immediate Past Chairman Harry Eighmy, chief operating officer at American Turned Products; and, Ex-Officio Scott Bonnell, owner of Bonnell’s Collision Center. New MBA Board members who will serve threeyear terms include: Kathy Jones, business planning manager at GE Transportation. Jones has 26 years of service with General Electric, 15 years with GE Lighting and 11 years with GE Transportation. In her current role, she works cross functionality with Supply Chain, Commercial and Finance teams to align all
organizations on business objectives and drive optimal execution. She has extensive experience in Planning, Inventory, Distribution Operations and Organizational Development. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in organizational and occupational behavior from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Jones is an active leader in GE Transportation’s annual Community Service Day and an executive representative for GE Transportation at the Neighborhood Art House. She is also an active leader in the GE Leadership Program for selection, evaluation, development and retention. Colleen Moore Mezler, chief executive officer of Moore Research Services, Inc., and a second-generation researcher and seasoned professional with more than 30 years in the market research industry. Mezler has significant experience in both quantitative and qualitative research, which has made Moore Research a reputable global research company. Mezler is a past chairman for the Insights Association and is certified by the Insights Association as an expert in market research. She also is an advocate of women in business. She is the recipient of the Gannon University’s Small Business Development Corporations Legacy Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Insights Association and was honored by the Mercy Center for Women as one of Erie’s Women Making History. She also received the ATHENA International Leadership Award, the SBA Woman Owned Business of Western PA and the Distinguished Service Award from the Insights Association. Mezler is a 2009 ATHENA PowerLink Recipient and serves on the ATHENA International Board of Directors. Other members of the MBA Board of Governors include: Andrew Foyle, president of H&H Machined Products Co.; Jim Greenleaf, president and chief executive officer of Greenleaf Corporation; Steve Jones, president of Ron Jones Hardwood Sales, Inc.; Phil Katen, president and general manager of Plastikos Inc.; and Mike Weber, chairman of Smith Provision Company, Inc.
PEOPLE BUZZ | AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS MBA ANNOUNCES RECENT HIRE, PROMOTION
The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) recently announced that Melissa Lesniewski has joined the not-for-profit employers’ organization as an accounts receivable specialist, while Tracy Daggett, PHR, has been promoted to manager of Professional Development Training Services. In her role, Lesniewski is responsible for handling the MBA’s billing, daily receivables and collections, a position she held at the Association from 2007 to 2015. She rejoins the Association after working at the LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness Center as a Member Services supervisor. Lesniewski earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in psychology from Gannon University. Daggett, who served as an MBA Training specialist since 2013, is now responsible for overseeing all the MBA’s staffconducted training programs, including its regionally recognized Supervisory Skills Certificate Series, Leadership for Team Leaders Certificate Series, one-day Food Safety Certification courses, topic-specific professional development workshops and computer training offerings. He also is responsible for training scheduling, as well as helping to develop the department’s marketing materials and responding to member and nonmember inquiries for onsite training classes. Daggett, a Union City native, is a management professional with 18 years of experience in the retail industry, including general management, finance and production management, and general sales management. As a former store manager for Family Dollar, Rite Aid Pharmacy and Walmart, and HR manager for Lowe’s, he has extensive experience in the establishment of programs to increase sales, improve productivity, reduce costs and improve customer relations. He earned his Professional in Human Resources® (PHR) certification in 2017.
MA
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CS212415
ON THE HILL | INDUSTRY
Pennsylvania Should be the Keystone in ‘Chemical Manufacturing Renaissance’ Lori Joint is the vice president at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or ljoint@mbausa.org. The shale revolution has been the most exciting regional energy development of the last 50 years. Access to vast new supplies of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) from previously untapped deposits has created a decisive competitive advantage for Pennsylvania chemical and plastics manufacturers. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, Pennsylvania must continue to attract petrochemical companies, thus ensuring the job opportunities and business created by natural gas byproducts remain in the state. The region’s supply of plentiful natural gas resources makes it appealing to new companies looking to invest in areas with readily available raw materials, while the higher education landscape helps seal the deal for the chemical industry. In addition to being home to notable institutions, such as Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is especially well positioned to educate prospective chemical workers. Among the six accredited plastics engineering schools in the nation, two are in Pennsylvania: Penn State Behrend
and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The graduates of these illustrious institutions are making up a highly skilled workforce to fill the high-paying jobs created by NGLs and downstream manufacturing. Pennsylvania is positioned with a variety of nontraditional educational opportunities, yet many graduates of our accredited schools move out of state to find jobs. If we could make the connection between our raw materials and the worthwhile investment in relocating to our state for the plastics and chemical companies that use them, we could not only optimize the products developed but also circulate educated Pennsylvanians into our own economy. Employment is only one piece of this economic puzzle. To boost Pennsylvania’s chemical standing, we need to ensure our state is equipped to provide the feedstock for petrochemical facilities to operate. IHS Markit and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development report that we are using only a limited portion of the available Marcellus and Utica Shale natural gas and NGLs in-state, which speaks to the need for immediate steps to maximize our economic development. The Philadelphia market would be a great place for such a facility. The study found that the manufacturing cost of business is comparable to that of the Houston area, where a majority of America’s petrochemical facilities are located. Local projects such as the Mariner East 2 pipeline are essential for transporting natural gas and natural gas liquids,
such as ethane and butane. Ethane is a critical building block for plastics, textiles, detergents and coatings, which are common products of the chemical industry. Butane is a feedstock for petrochemical manufacturing. IHS Markit also reported that Pennsylvania has a “sufficient supply of NGL to support a world-class petrochemical industry,” with the major competitive advantage of “access to an expanding supply of low-cost natural gas and NGL.” Because of the regional supply growth in NGLs, plastics companies in Pennsylvania are predicted to see “significant cost savings and advantages over competitors located outside of the region.” We have what it takes to be a top candidate for companies in the chemical and plastics industries. We have an expanding supply of natural gas at a low cost, a significant locational advantage to two-thirds of North America’s polyethylene and polypropylene resin demand, and highly accredited educational systems for industry related jobs that are continuously creating new generations of professionals. To keep these advantages within our state, we must continue taking advantage of our raw materials, focusing on how to make them readily available for downstream use, to rein in more companies and give our educated and trained professionals opportunities to succeed locally. These opportunities will help Pennsylvania become a major player in the petrochemical industry and a chemical manufacturing renaissance. mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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The Erie County Technical School supports careers in hospitality and tourism by offering quality technical education programs in Culinary Arts and Tourism & Hospitality Management.
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JUNE 2018 • mbabizmag.com
HR CONNECTION | WORKPLACE TRENDS SURVEY FINDS MILLENNIALS TAKE MOST BUSINESS TRIPS OF ANY GENERATION
The number of business trips is significantly increasing across all generations of travelers according to the first Portrait of Business Travelers® (POBT) survey released by MMGY Global, the leading integrated travel and hospitality marketing firm in the United States.
As Millennials advance in their careers, they take the most business trips of any generation (7.7 over the past 12 months, compared to 7.4 on average) and expect to take more than any other generation (8.6 in the next 12 months, which is an 11-percent increase). Business travelers are also redefining business trips with increased use of ride-sharing and “bleisure” trips. The survey includes responses from 1,007 U.S. adults who have taken one overnight business trip and plan to take at least one more during the next 12 months. The following are top line results from the first POBT study:
Food Safety is Serious Business
• Millennials represent the highest increase in business travel. • Millennials took 7.7 trips in the past year and expect to take 8.6 (an increase of 11 percent). Over half of them want to take even more.
We may take for granted that the lunch we purchased locally and ate at a sunny picnic spot on Presque Isle State Park is safe to eat. Yet, much of that credit goes to the hard work and dedication of our food service industry to train, educate and monitor food handlers so they can provide tasty foods, but also to take “reasonable care” to provide safe meals.
The number of business trips is increasing among all generations of travelers, primarily because companies have increased travel budgets and perceive that travel is important to maintain and grow customer relationships. This has a positive effect for both travelers and companies, because three quarters of survey respondents indicate that such travel has a positive impact on their job satisfaction.
When food safety isn’t taken seriously, it’s a health hazard — and, simply bad for business. During my career as a health inspector, I remember a call I received from an unhappy tourist. His chief complaint was, “I now know every rest-stop between Pennsylvania and Michigan!” Whether fact or perception, that person will remember his vacation to Erie for an unfortunate reason.
With more business travel comes a struggle for worklife balance. While members of all generations appear to embrace business travel, surprisingly, Millennials who are seeing the greatest increase in business trips and express a desire to take more, are significantly more likely to perceive that it has a negative effect on family life.
Was it truly a foodborne illness from a commercial eating establishment? We never knew, but statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show there are an average of 48 million people sick from foodborne illness in this country each year, though this number is an average of an estimate. Many foodborne illnesses go undocumented and unproven (like our friend from Michigan). Unfortunately, the hospitalizations and deaths are documented — averages of 128,000 and 3,000, respectively. To prevent such incidents, training is critical. The International Journal of Food Science, which reports an association between food safety knowledge and practices, has found an increase in safe handling practices when receiving refresher training. The Manufacturer & Business Association provides this training each and every month, with the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP), in a one-day comprehensive training that includes proctoring of the Certification Exam. Over 12 years, 5,000 food handlers have attended and are working in food establishments that thrill visitors to our region with local specialties, munchies and meals. Let’s make sure to use certified food safety and handling practices to help fuel their next lap around the Peninsula’s bike trail.
LEISURE & HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HIRING UP 28 PERCENT, STUDY SHOWS
The Leisure & Hospitality sector is leading the way when it has to come to adding jobs in the second quarter of 2018, according to a new study by staffing firm Manpower Group. According to the study, employers report the strongest hiring intentions in Leisure & Hospitality (+28 percent) as the economy picks up. Strong outlooks for Professional & Business Services (+24 percent) and Wholesale & Retail Trade (+23 percent) point to demand-driven growth in line with increased wages. Employers in Wholesale & Retail Trade report some of the most optimistic outlooks in more than 16 years as online retail continues to grow and the increase in distribution workers is expected to rise. “We’re seeing solid, demand-fueled growth across the U.S. as the economy continues to strengthen and the labor market tightens at pace,” said Becky Frankiewicz, president of ManpowerGroup North America, in a written release.
Lisa DeFilippo is a training specialist at the Manufacturer & Business Association. She has more than 20 years of experience as a former county health department inspector, trainer and independent consultant. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or ldefilippo@mbausa.org.
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LEGAL Q&A | GET ANSWERS I AM PLACING A JOB AD FOR AN OPEN POSITION AT MY COMPANY. CAN I HAVE ‘RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES’ IN THE JOB AD?
Use of Salary History Not Permitted Under the Equal Pay Act
Such wording is not recommended. Having such wording could run afoul of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). If the intent of the wording is to discourage individuals within a protected age group from applying, the phrase would be considered discriminatory and should be avoided. If the intent is to hire individuals into an entry-level professional position, it would be better to instead use the phrase “entry level professional position.”
I’M NOT SURE I WANT TO PAY THE COST OF PLACING A JOB AD TO FILL MY OPEN POSITION. CAN I JUST USE EMPLOYEE REFERRALS AND OTHER WORD-OFMOUTH RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN SEEKING TO FILL THE POSITION? Although it is fine to use multiple sources when trying to find the right candidate, relying solely on word-of-mouth and employee referrals, reduce your opportunity to consider individuals in protected categories, such as minorities, women, older workers or individuals with disabilities.
Under Executive Order 11246, employers that are federal contractors are required to consider and hire qualified applicants from protected categories. Reliance on only word-of-mouth referrals could put these employers at risk of losing federal contracts if these categories are not represented on their payrolls. Also, employers narrow their scope of qualified applicants and deny themselves the enrichment that a diversified workforce offers.
I MADE A VERBAL JOB OFFER TO A CANDIDATE AND THEY ACCEPTED. DO I STILL NEED TO SEND AN OFFER LETTER? Providing a written job offer is a good idea, even if you have made a verbal offer and the candidate accepted. A written job offer affords an important opportunity to solidify the verbal offer of employment and to avoid any potential confusion. The written job offer should contain all key aspects of the job offer, including position, salary and any conditions of employment. Additionally, the offer letter can be used to remind a new hire of his or her at-will employment status.
On April 9, 2018, a high-profile case was decided, holding that employers cannot use an employee’s past salary to justify a wage differential between men and women employees under the federal Equal Pay Act (EPA). The EPA was enacted to prohibit employers from paying men and women differently for the same work. The intention of the statute is to correct the serious and widespread wage gap between men and women in the workplace. However, the statute allows employers to pay employees different rates based on seniority, merit, the quantity or quality of the employee’s work, or “any other factor other than sex.” For many years, employers argued an applicant’s prior salary may be considered in setting a starting salary, and that this was a “factor other than sex.” Some courts agreed with this argument, including the Ninth Circuit. However, the recent ruling in Rizo v. Yovino brings the Ninth Circuit in line with other circuits by holding that prior salary alone or in combination with other factors cannot justify a wage differential between male and female employees under the EPA. The court stated: We conclude, unhesitatingly, that “any other factor other than sex” is limited to legitimate, job-related factors such as a prospective employee’s experience, educational background, ability, or prior job performance. It is inconceivable that Congress, in an Act the primary purpose of which was to eliminate long-existing “endemic” sex-based wage disparities, would create an exception for basing new hires’ salaries on these very disparities — disparities that Congress declared are not only related to sex but caused by sex. To accept the County’s argument would be to perpetuate rather than eliminate the pervasive discrimination at which the Act was aimed. This decision represents a noteworthy trend in the law aimed at closing the wage gap. Since the circuits are split on this issue involving salary history, employers can probably expect the Supreme Court to grant certiorari should the defendant petition the Supreme Court to do so.
Tammy Lamary-Toman, JD, PHR, SHRM-CP, is vice president and employment counsel at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or ttoman@mbausa.org.
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JUNE 2018 • mbabizmag.com
Your Manufacturer & Business Association is proud to announce that we are a Certified Partner of the Predictive Index.
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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24 2018 Sixth Annual Manufacturer & Business Association
HR & EMPLOYMENT LAW CONFERENCE REGISTER NOW AND SAVE! • Through August 31 Member $275/Nonmember $350 • After August 31 Member $325/Nonmember $400 Call 800/815-2660, 814/833-3200 or visit mbausa.org today!
You need it. You want it. We’ve got it. You’ll love the choice of flexible meeting rooms all equipped with WiFi, flat-screen TVs and laptops. And our onsite business center with phone, fax, copier and computer, plus complimentary breakfast, beverages and afternoon snacks, maximizes convenience for you and your guests!
So relax, you’ve come to the right place. Contact Norm Zymm at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660, email nzymm@mbausa.org or visit Google at https://goo.gl/Hxz2ou for our new virtual tour!
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JUNE 2018 • mbabizmag.com
As the labor market tightens and more Baby Boomers retire, an internship program can be one of the best solutions for bringing on new talent for large and small employers alike. Experts agree that internship programs don’t have to be complicated to set up and run, but it does require knowing how to take the first step and what’s involved. Join us for the Manufacturer & Business Association’s first IMPACT Luncheon to learn how you can overcome staffing challenges and set yourself up for success! Here, you’ll hear from Harry Eighmy, chief operating officer of American Turned Products (ATP), on why establishing an internship program is one of the best business decisions ATP has ever made. Plus, representatives from each of the four local universities will explain the resources needed to get started, how to establish a world-class internship program and the role they can play in helping find the right candidates. Whether you are in the manufacturing, health care, financial, professional, nonprofit or service industry, this program is for you! In addition to a dynamic presentation and question-and-answer session, each attendee will receive an internship reference manual that will help deliver additional resources and potential returns for years to come! Target Audience: Small to mid-size employers that may not have a full-time HR manager or resources to get started. Companies that already work with interns, but would like to take their programs to the next level. PRESENTED BY:
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Join us for a private team building or corporate event! Our DIY workshops provide the perfect opportunity for your team to socialize, collaborate, and have fun all while creating a unique piece of art. We provide the host with a private event link to share with their team. Attendees can choose a design that fits their home or office. You bring the creativity. We provide you with all the materials, music, and fun atmosphere to help build team morale.
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JUNE 2018 • mbabizmag.com
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EVENTS & EXTRAS | NETWORKING & MORE
The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) strives to keep its members informed on the most current business issues affecting employers in the region. For more information about upcoming events or to view the MBA’s photo gallery, visit www.mbausa.org.
Business owners and community leaders filled the Association’s Founders Room in Erie to hear from Mayor Joe Schember, during the MBA’s April breakfast briefing. Schember discussed the progress his administration has made and the next steps they plan to take to implement their vision to transform Pennsylvania’s Flagship City.
at the first 100 days in office ember discusses his s ‘n’ Issues briefing. Erie City Mayor Joe Sch Egg il Apr ’s tion ocia iness Ass Manufacturer & Bus
off the annual Women in tor of the Gannon SBDC, kicks rence Center in Erie. Maggie Horne, executive direc the Ambassador Banquet & Confe at am progr ent lopm Deve Leadership including forums on May 16, other educational opportunities, des provi event WILD year’s This g for more information. 16. See http://wild.sbdcgannon.or September 18 and November
Business Magazine Account Executive David Thornburg congratula tes John Bloomstine of Insurance Management Company for his longtime support of the MBA Business Magazine, during a recent Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing held at the Association’s Conference Center. The Business Magazine is celebrating its 30th year in 2018.
Erie Downtown Development Corporation Executive Director John Persinger shares the vision for the EDDC and its partners in developing the downtown area, during the Association’s May Eggs ‘n’ Issues Briefing at the MBA Conference Center. The event was standing-room only.
mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2018
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