October 2016 Business Magazine

Oc t ober201 6

INSPIRING TOMORROW’S MANUFACTURERS TODAY! BE A PART OF ONE OF THE LARGEST MANUFACTURING DAY CELEBRATIONS IN AMERICA, and join us for MFG DAY 2016 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie! More than 2,000 students and educators and 1,000 manufacturers and business leaders are expected to attend.

LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Presented by Howard Industries Appearance sponsored by:

Easton LaChappelle Founder and CEO, Unlimited Tomorrow Hear how this 20-year-old inventor has inspired the world with his revolutionary robotic arm and open-sourced 3D technology.

PLUS: • See More Than 50 High-Tech Exhibits and Demonstrations from Area Manufacturers and Universities

• Take Part in Expert-Led Workshops Focused on Modern Manufacturing and new Career Opportunities

• Challenge Yourself With Fun and Creative Team-Building Exercises Designed to Promote Innovation and Engineering

To register or for more information, visit ErieMfgDay.com !

BUSINESS VOL. XXIX NO. 10 | OCTOBER 2016

MAGAZINE

PLUS:

2016 MFG DAY’S INSPIRATIONAL INVENTOR EASTON LACHAPPELLE / PAGE 50

2016 Annual Report

ROBERT HERJAVEC ‘SHARK TANK’ STAR AND TECHNOLOGY EXPERT SHARES HIS LESSONS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP / PAGE 22

STAR-SPANGLED SINGING SENSATION MARLANA VANHOOSE / PAGE 35

Table of Contents

22 ROBERT HERJAVEC

“Shark Tank” star and technology expert shares his lessons in entrepreneurship.

35 STAR-SPANGLED

SINGING SENSATION

Marlana VanHoose to deliver powerful performance at MBA’s Annual Event.

3

2016-2017 Chairman’s Message Don Hester, president and CEO of MAJR Products and chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association

12 MBA Training

The Association explains how its Professional Development Training Department is taking training to the next level.

66 2016-2017 Board of Governors

Bill Hilbert Jr., immediate past chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association and president of Reddog Industries

71 Association Professional Staff 73 In Memoriam

Featured Companies

• Bonnell’s Auto Group.....................18 • LORD Corporation...........................40

46 2016 MFG Day Showcase OCTOBER 5, 2016

Learn about the supporters of this year’s celebration of technology and manufacturing at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie.

54 Election 2016

A closer look at why your vote counts at both the state and federal level.

The Association recognizes the many contributions of late business leaders John Masterson and Louis J. Porreco.

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 Executive Editor and Managing Editor Karen Torres ktorres@mbausa.org

Photography R. Frank Photography www.rfrankphotography.com

Company Profiles

CH Reams.............................................. 11 ECCA.......................................................... 9 Erie Regional Manufacturer Partnership............45 Family Services of NW PA..................39 Hoffman Industrial.............................43 Ridg-U-Rak, Inc...................................... 7 Smith Provisions..................................21 UPMC Health Plan................................. 5 Automotive

Construction Name: Timothy Asinger

Name: Scott Bonnell

Title: President

Title: Owner

Company: Kessel Construction, Inc.

Company: Bonnell’s Auto Group

Contact Information: Email: sbonnell@bonnellcollision.com Phone: 814/835-4351 Address: 2570 West 26th Street Erie, PA 16506

Products/Services Provided: Scott Bonnell has a reputation based on quality and a lifelong passion for cars. Whether you’re in need of collision repair, creating the street rod of your dreams, looking to have your cracked windshield replaced or in the market for a new vehicle, Bonnell and his line of companies has you covered. For more information on Bonnell’s Collision, Bonnell’s Rod Shop, Bonnell’s Auto Glass and Bonnell’s Auto sales, please visit www.bonnellsauto.com.

Professional Associations: Manufacturer & Business Association, Board Member for Auto Racers for Kids Charities Awards/Recognitions: AAA Approved Auto Body, I Car Gold Class Certified, AAA Approved Auto Glass

bonnellsauto.com

Products/Services Provided: Design Build Construction, Butler Metal Building Dealer Education: Dunwoody Institute Professional Associations: ABC of Central PA, Southern Tier Builders Association, Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce (President)

Contact Information: Email: tasinger@kesselco.com

Awards/Recognitions: Butler Metal Building dealer for more than 60 years; Ranked No. 64 out 300 East Region Metal Building Dealers; Ranked No. 29 Top 100 Business People in Central PA

Phone: 814/362-4696 Address: 345 High Street Bradford, PA 16701

Education: Edinboro State College, Edinboro, PA, B.A. Sociology (cum laude); Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, M.A. Sociology; Kent State University and University of Akron, Kent and Akron, Ohio, Joint Ph.D. Program, Ph.D., Sociology (Applied Sociology/ Evaluation Research); Lean Operations & Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, Manufacturer & Business Association, 2007; Certification in Peace and Conflict Resolution

ksrc.biz

Shutterstock.com Theo Stroomer Photography, LLC Herjavec Group Design, Production & Printing Printing Concepts Inc. printcon@erie.net Advertising Sales David Thornburg 814/833-3200 dthornburg@mbausa.org

Name: Michael J. Hannan, Ph.D. Title: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Institution: Edinboro University Products/Services Provided: High-quality undergraduate and graduate education, with special emphasis on addressing regional needs for a well-educated work force in the STEM fields, health care, education and many other disciplines.

Education: University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University

Contact Information:

Professional Associations: Pennsylvania Economic Association Board of Directors

75 Professional Listings Phone: 814/836-9295, Ext. 131

iStockPhoto.com

Education Name: Joyce Ann Miller, Ph.D. Title: President Emeritus Company: KeyStone Research Corporation Products/Services Provided: Organizational research and development services: KSRC professionals work in partnership with organizations to increase knowledge and understanding of system design and program logic models; evaluate results to determine strategies for quality improvements; and provide guidance on transformation as a learning organization.

Email: joycem@ksrc.biz

MKleck Photography www.mkleckphotography.com

kesselco.com

Consulting

Address: 3823 West 12th Erie, PA 16505

The Association describes how its HR/ Legal Services Division is the leading resource for HR support in the region.

Easton LaChappelle, co-founder of Unlimited Tomorrow, talks about how he caught the attention of the world with his revolutionary technology.

Contributing Writer Meghan Waskiewicz

Contact Information:

60 MBA HR/Legal Services

50 INSPIRATIONAL INVENTOR

Professional Associations: American Evaluation Association; American Sociological Association; Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology; People to People International; The Rotary Club of Erie; Northwest PA Workforce Investment Board

Email: hannan@edinboro.edu

Awards/Recognitions: Congressional Fellowship, the Sydney S. Spivack Program in Applied Social Research and Social Policy of the American Sociological Association, 2001-2002; ATHENA PowerLink® Program recipient for Erie, 2009; 2012 Rotary Peace Fellowship, The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, for studies in peace and conflict resolution at the Rotary Peace Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, 2012

Address: Reeder Hall 219 Meadville St. Edinboro, PA 16444

Phone: 814/732-2729

Awards/Recognitions: Past Reviewer of the Year, the Journal of the Northeastern Association of Business, Economics & Technology; published in the Pennsylvania Economic Review, International Regional Science Review, International Journal of Business and Social Science, The Prison Journal, and others.

edinboro.edu

Who’s Who in business and industry

© Copyright 2016 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 • OCTOBER 2016

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CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Donald Hester is the 2016-2017 chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) Board of Governors and president, chief executive officer and owner of MAJR Products Corporation based in Saegertown, Pennsylvania. MAJR is an internationally recognized manufacturer of Electromagnetic Interference / Radio Frequency Interference (EMI/RFI) Shielding Products. The company produces EMI/RFI gaskets, elastomers, fingerstock, EMI windows, board level shielding, and air ventilation/filtration panels, knitted wire mesh products, as well as water-jet cutting services to a variety of markets. For more information about the company, visit www.majr.com.

Dear Members: On behalf of the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) Board of Governors and staff, thank you for your ongoing support of the MBA as we mark our 111th year of continuous business operation in the tri-state region. Longevity, such as ours, is no small feat, nor is it for the estimated 27 million entrepreneurs that are starting or running a business in America today.

This year, as we celebrate technology and manufacturing at our 2016 Manufacturing Day featuring luncheon speaker Easton LaChappelle, founder and CEO of Tomorrow Unlimited, and Annual Event keynote speaker Robert Herjavec, star of “Shark Tank,” on October 5 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center, we want to recognize the entrepreneurs and businesses for all they do to drive such innovation and investment.

These employers understand what it is like to take risks and sacrifice in order to achieve success. Many of these businesses may be small in size but play a big role in providing highly desirable goods and services, creating jobs, enhancing U.S. competitiveness and generating economic wealth that benefits us all.

Statistics show that 80 percent of all new hires over the past five years have been done by small businesses, with some estimates as high as 85 percent to 90 percent. The majority of all new jobs projected in the United States will be from small businesses, a similar pattern to what we have seen over the past five years.

We continue to see an increase in small business startups, specifically among Millenials, both in the technology area, as well as in manufacturing.

I, for one, believe that technology and the ability to use it will be the key to growing these businesses long term.

More important than ever is the ability of companies to gather data quickly and move production assets to those areas of their market that are showing growth. The ability to move assets quicker is much easier for a small business than for larger corporations. The ability to use an ever-growing list of products through web technology is proving a great asset to smaller businesses, and the cost associated with those technologies continues to decrease, making them within reach of the smaller businesses.

For most small businesses, the ability to sell worldwide by using new technology for new products is key to long-term growth, as well as greater information to a larger group of consumers at reduced costs.

American enterprises and the entrepreneurs who operate them continue to flourish as more small businesses move from selling their products locally to more regional and international markets. It is critical that entrepreneurs continue to invest and implement the latest in the new technologies that are available to reach more people at a minimal cost.

Keeping and maintaining competent employees who understand we are now in a global economy is critical for all business owners. In order to grow and survive, we must keep up with what other competitors and countries are doing, what practices and policies they are using to maintain and grow their businesses both in the United States and worldwide.

In this year’s Annual Report, we’ll hear from Mr. Herjavec on what he has to say about the state of small business and entrepreneurship today, the ingenuity and drive of 20-year-old inventor LaChappelle, as well as take a look at why this election year is so important for businesses owners, especially in our membership region. We’ll also explore some of the many resources that are geared toward small businesses through the MBA. The Manufacturer & Business Association offers a variety of products and services, from education to human resources support. Several classes and training certificates are available in dozens of different subjects from computer skills to production and supervisory skills, while a number of different programs are offered specifically to help smaller businesses navigate the sea of regulations and ongoing red tape.

At the MBA, improving the ability of local companies to compete both regionally and worldwide continues to be our primary goal. We look forward to being the cog that helps propel such innovation and growth for years to come!

Sincerely,

Don Hester, Chairman

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

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Your Destination for

World-Class Care With more physicians, more specialists, and more comprehensive services than ever before, more people are choosing UPMC Hamot for their care.

Visit UPMCHamot.org to learn about the latest services available at UPMC Hamot.

Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

UPMC Health Plan Erie Main Office 109 Boston Store Place 814/833-6633 Millcreek Mall Service and Sales Center 5800 Peach Street 814/897-3408 UPMCHealthPlan.com

UPMC Health Plan Raises Visibility in Northwest Pennsylvania UPMC Health Plan continues to grow in Erie in 2016, expanding its presence in the region through many products and services it provides for companies large and small, as well as individuals in northwest Pennsylvania.

Included among those products is one that may have escaped the attention of some employers – LifeSolutions.

LifeSolutions is a nonprofit organization that specializes in employee assistance programs (EAPs). Since 2011, it has had a presence in Erie, replacing what had been Northwest Beacon EAP. In 2013, LifeSolutions moved to its current Erie home at 100 State Street, in downtown Erie.

LifeSolutions has consistently earned praises from Erie-area residents it has helped through times of crisis. LifeSolutions has a staff of Erie-based experts who are trained to help improve employers’ and employees’ ability to successfully respond to personal and workrelated challenges.

“LifeSolutions has assisted a number of our employees in creating and maintaining productive lives,” says Bea Habursky, executive director of Human Resources for Erie’s Public Schools, which offers LifeSolutions as an employee benefit. “We also have used them for manager consultations and mandatory referrals when confidential expertise is needed.

“It has been very easy to communicate with the staff from UPMC when situations arise and immediate needs have been met.”

“Many of the employer groups we serve in Erie may not realize that LifeSolutions is local, has a wide range of programs and that the services they provide are already built-in to our UPMC Business Advantage and UPMC Small Business Advantage products that they have purchased,” says David Weir, president of UPMC

David Weir, president of UPMC WorkPartners

CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E

WorkPartners. “Oftentimes, smaller businesses do not realize that this kind of expertise and this level of service are available to them.”

LifeSolutions can act as a partner with a company’s human resources department providing unlimited management and supervisory consultation covering a wide range of issues such as performance, fitness for duty, and handling change in the workplace.

Employees can receive work-life services such as help with child/elder care, legal issues, education resources, financial wellness, and daily living needs. In addition, LifeSolutions covers not only members, but all of their family members as well.

“Employers may not always realize how an EAP can enhance an organization’s performance, its culture and its business success,” says Weir.

“LifeSolutions can provide value in three ways: By leveraging the value of an organization’s workforce, by addressing the cost of doing business, and by helping an organization mitigate its business risks.

administrative tasks while also providing employees with a wide variety of benefit choices.

All Absolute Choice plans meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Part of UPMC’s global health enterprise, UPMC WorkPartners provides health and productivity solutions to high-performing companies throughout the United States. Formed in 1997, UPMC WorkPartners has continued to expand services in an effort to help its clients strategically manage the health and well-being of their employees. UPMC WorkPartners believes that workplace health is linked to productivity and, ultimately, the bottom line. Its mission is to provide its clients with effective solutions to improve the health and productivity of their employees. Its suite of services includes workers’ compensation, absence management, employee assistance programs, employer health services, health management and wellness, and consulting services. UPMC WorkPartners is part of the UPMC Insurance Services Division, which offers a full range of insurance programs and products to almost 3 million members.

“LifeSolutions can be a key component of an employer strategy to increase employee engagement and improve productivity, morale, and workplace harmony.”

In 2016, UPMC Health Plan again teamed with the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) to continue to offer Absolute Choice™, a private benefits marketplace.

This ongoing partnership with MBA demonstrates UPMC Health Plan’s ongoing commitment to supporting the communities it serves.

Private benefits exchanges are becoming a popular health benefits alternative by letting employers control costs and reduce

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

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Now, three generations strong, pictured above are Andrew Bohrer, Mark Pellegrino, Peter Bohrer, John B. Pellegrino Jr. & John B. Pellegrino Sr., PE

PROUD TO BE

FAMILY-OWNED AND

MADE IN AMERICA FOR

For more than 70 years, RIDG-U-RAK has been family-owned and our products are Made in America. Through constant innovation, process improvements and industry-leading customer care, we’ve become one of the largest rack manufacturers in the nation producing in excess of 100,000,000 lbs. of rack per year.

Now in our third generation, we remain just as committed to growth, our community and our employees.

THREE GENERATIONS

Toll Free: 866-479-7225 • www.ridgurak.com

MADE IN AMERICA

Ridg-U-Rak 120 South Lake Street North East, PA 16428 814/725-8751 or Toll-Free 866/479-7225 www.ridgurak.com

More than 70 Years of Excellence in Serving the Storage Rack Market At the end of WWII, there was a growing need to modernize and expand the nation’s warehousing capabilities. Entrepreneurial business people began to develop innovative storage rack designs to fill those needs.

Company after company was springing up, headed by owners who carved out a market share by providing a high level of personal service. In recent decades, however, most of those early family owned companies have been replaced by holding companies, investment bankers or corporate raiders.

Virtually no companies like Ridg-U-Rak still exist.

Ridg-U-Rak was a minor player in those early years. Although limited in marketing vision and hampered by a lack of manufacturing automation, Ridg-U-Rak had some survival strengths that helped the company to continue to grow. Today, as the operation celebrates more than 70 years of serving the material handling industry, Ridg-U-Rak is commonly acknowledged as a company built on Integrity and Service, guided by the able leadership of its president and CEO,

John B. Pellegrino Sr., P.E., president and CEO

CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E

John B. Pellegrino Sr., P.E., along with his sons, Vice Presidents John B. Pellegrino Jr. and Mark E. Pellegrino.

Capabilities Ridg-U-Rak now has two plants in North East, Pennsylvania, covering 160,000 square feet, with a production capacity of more than 100,000,000 pounds of finished steel products per year. It remains one of the largest storage rack manufacturers in North America and is still a family owned business.

One of the key contributors to the company’s success has been the increased talent base of its staff, with the ability to completely manage large projects from design and code compliance, through manufacturing, to final installation and customer approval.

Major capital investments in its manufacturing plants have been instrumental in improved productivity. Recent investments include the latest rolling mill equipment, a total shop layout revamping, an automated beam manufacturing line, and a 600-foot-long

state-of-the-art powder coating line, which not only improves product quality, but also the company’s environmental imprint by eliminating its liquid paint usage. From recycling programs to major transformations in manufacturing processes, the corporate philosophy includes doing what is necessary to meet 21st century sustainability expectations.

Products Ridg-U-Rak provides an unlimited array of storage options. Whether deep and dense storage systems like Push-Back, Drive-In, and Pick Modules, or Narrow-Aisle and DeepReach systems, design engineers can lay out storage arrangements to meet a customer’s unique load, throughput and capacity requirements. Ridg-U-Rak also provides small storage systems for pallet loads or handstacked cartons, and offers replacement parts that interchange with competitive racks.

Many specialty storage options are available, including a rack-supported crane system to store large dies and tools.

Seismic Base Isolation System Warehouse storage racks have proven to be particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage, and new FEMA guidelines mandate rack structure integrity during a moderate to severe earthquake.

Ridg-U-Rak took a quantum leap in the design of storage racks for earthquake-prone areas when it developed and patented the Seismic Base Isolation System, a design that will resist rack damage and product spillage through the most powerful anticipated earthquake that the country will ever experience. Because of this innovated work, Ridg-U-Rak received the Excellence for Innovation award by the National Earthquake Conference.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

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Meet the Highmark Cancer Collaborative. A new collaboration that unites our patient-centered health coverage with Allegheny Health Network, the region’s top-rated* large health system for cancer care, and world-renowned cancer research institution Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, providing second opinions and access to early phase clinical trials.

Learn how we can help your employees and your business. Visit HighmarkCancerCollaborative.com

I N CO L L A B O R AT I O N WIT H

*ComparionÂŽ Medical Analytics, 2016 National Quality Rating Database. Comparion is a registered trademark of Quantros Inc. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

TAKING CARE OF THE DAILY ROUTINE TAKING TAKING CARE CARE OF OF THE THE DAILY DAILY ROUTINE ROUTINE SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON THE UNIQUE SO SO YOU YOU CAN CAN FOCUS FOCUS ON ON THE THE UNIQUE UNIQUE It’s been said that small businesses are the It’s been said thateconomy. small businesses are and the backbone of the Look closer It’s been said that small businesses are the you backbone of the economy.

Look closer and you will find that theLook economy’s backbone backbone of supporting the economy. closer and you will that the economy’s backbone is anfind employee workforce. over 40 years, will find that supporting supporting theFor economy’s backbone is an employee workforce.

For over 40 with years, ECCA Payroll has provided companies the is an employee workforce.

For over 40 years, ECCA Payroll has provided companies with the products andhas services necessary to support that ECCA Payroll provided companies with the products and services necessary to support that vital workforce. products and services necessary to support that vital workforce. vital workforce.

From time and attendance solutions to WebFrom and attendance solutions to Webbasedtime employee self-service, ECCA Payroll’s From time and attendance solutions to Webbased employee self-service, ECCA Payroll’s comprehensive solutions are tailored based employeeworkforce self-service, ECCA Payroll’s comprehensive solutions are tailored to companies ofworkforce all sizes. As your company grows comprehensive workforce solutions are tailored to sizes.

As company grows and the needsof ofall your workforce ECCA to companies companies of all sizes.

As your your change, company grows and the needs of your workforce change, ECCA Payroll the of solutions necessary so youECCA can and thehas needs your workforce change, Payroll has thecompany’s solutions necessary you can focus on your operation.so Payroll has the solutions necessary so you can focus on your company’s operation. focus on your company’s operation.

So you want to start So you want to start So you want to start a business… a business… a business…

Companies are faced with many challenges and

Companies are faced with many challengesBut and sometimes they may seem overwhelming.

Companies are faced with many challenges and sometimes seem But imagine youthey are may undaunted by those challenges; sometimes they may seem overwhelming. overwhelming.

But imagine are undaunted by those challenges; you wantyou to start a new business – a petting a zoo. imagine you are undaunted by those challenges; you want to start a new business – a petting a zoo.

But not just you want to any startpetting a new business – a petting a zoo.

But not just any petting zoo,not youjust want topetting have But any zoo, you to the first-of-its-kind zoo,area’s you want want to have have the area’spetting first-of-its-kind dinosaur zoo. the area’s first-of-its-kind dinosaur petting zoo. dinosaur petting zoo. that goes There’s a lot of work There’s a lot of work that goes into starting a dinosaur There’s a lot of work thatpetting goes into starting a dinosaur petting zoo -starting from picking a suitable into a dinosaur petting zoo picking a location where your dinos can zoo -- from from picking a suitable suitable location where your dinos can roam to where puttingyour the necessary location dinos can roam to putting the necessary infrastructure inthe place.

Let’s roam to putting necessary PETTING infrastructure in place. not forget about findingLet’s a PETTING infrastructure in place.

Let’s PETTING not forget about finding a Triassic supply company not forget about finding athat Triassic supply company that can provide youcompany with a good Triassic supply thatmix of breeds, can providefrom you with a good mix of breeds, everything a soaring Brontosaurus to a can provide you with a good mix of breeds, everything from a soaring Brontosaurus to a sleek Velociraptor. everything from a soaring Brontosaurus to a sleek sleek Velociraptor.

Velociraptor.

To get your business running, you need a staff.

To your business running, you need a You must hire workers to run the To get get your business running, youticket need counters a staff. staff.

You must hire workers to run the ticket counters and must the concession stands.

You need tour guides You hire workers to run the ticket counters and the concession stands.

You need guides to explain the differences between thetour various and the concession stands.

You need tour guides to explain the differences between the various sauropods on differences display. to explain the between the various sauropods sauropods on on display. display.

ECCA Payroll Inc. ECCA ECCA Payroll Payroll Inc. Inc.

And when you’re running a And whenpetting you’re running dinosaur you a And when you’re zoo, running a dinosaur petting zoo, you definitely petting want a maintenance dinosaur zoo, you definitely a crew with want shovels to help with definitely want a maintenance maintenance crew with shovels to help with Big. Shovels. somewith of the…cleanup.

Really. crew shovels to help with some of the…cleanup. Really. Big. Shovels. some of the…cleanup. Really. Big. Shovels.

Once the dinosaurs are in Once the dinosaurs are in Once the dinosaurs are in their pens, you think the their pens, you think the their pens, is you think the hard work over… hard work is over… hard work isget over…

After all the work to your dinosaur petting

After all thenew work to get your dinosaur petting zoo ready, challenges await.

You still must After all the work to get your dinosaur petting zoo ready, new challenges await.

You still must pay your employees, pay your payroll taxes, zoo ready, new challenges await.

You still must pay employees, pay your payroll taxes, and properly report any Never mind pay your your employees, paynew yourhires. payroll taxes, and properly report any newtracking hires. Never mind worrying if you are properly benefit and properly report any new hires. Never mind worrying if you are properly tracking benefit accruals and garnishments. worrying if you are properly tracking benefit accruals and garnishments. accruals and By turning to garnishments.

ECCA Payroll, those daily By to ECCA those daily concerns giving you the time By turning turningare to addressed, ECCA Payroll, Payroll, those daily concerns are addressed, giving you the time to train your to do you barrel-rows concerns arepterodactyls addressed, giving the time to train your pterodactyls to do barrel-rows fortrain an upcoming aerial showcase! to your pterodactyls to do barrel-rows for an upcoming aerial showcase! for an upcoming aerial showcase!

Whether you operate a hot dog stand Whether you operate a hot dog stand with oneyou employee, Whether operateaamanufacturer hot dog standwith with employee, a thousands, or you’re opening a with dinosaur with one one employee, a manufacturer manufacturer with thousands, you’re opening a dinosaur petting zoo,or each business is faced with thousands, or you’re opening a dinosaur pettingchallenges. zoo, each business is faced with unique Even while confronting petting zoo, each business is faced with unique challenges.

Even while confronting those challenges, stillconfronting recurring HR unique challenges.there Evenare while those there taskschallenges, to worry about. those challenges, there are are still still recurring recurring HR HR tasks to worry about. tasks to worry about.

This is how ECCA Payroll’s service becomes This is howasset ECCA Payroll’s service becomes a valuable your company.

This is how ECCAfor Payroll’s service becomes a valuable asset for your company. a valuable asset for your company.

Giving you the tools to Giving you the tools to Giving you the tools to help manage the routine help manage the routine help manage routine By turning to ECCA Payroll, youthe are assured that

ZOO ZOO ZOO

By turning to ECCA are assured your employees arePayroll, paid inyou a timely manner.that By turning to ECCA Payroll, you are assured that your employees paid in manner.

The Payrollare team becomes your payroll yourECCA employees are paid in a a timely timely manner.

The ECCA Payroll team becomes your payroll team, giving you access to industry knowledge The ECCA Payroll team becomes your payroll team, giving you access to industry knowledge and awareness payroll-related tax laws and team, giving youofaccess to industry knowledge and awareness of payroll-related tax laws and regulations. and awareness of payroll-related tax laws and regulations. regulations.

If small businesses are the backbone of the If the backbone of economy, then at itsare heart the employees.

If small small businesses businesses are the are backbone of the the economy, then at its heart are the employees.

ECCA Payroll is in business of providing economy, then at the its heart are the employees.

ECCA Payroll is inthe the business HR of providing companies with tools to ECCA Payroll is in thenecessary business of providing companies with the necessary HR tools to manage those companies withemployees. the necessary HR tools to manage those employees. manage those employees.

With your payroll, tax, and human resource With your payroll, tax, resource worries addressed, youand canhuman focus on solving your With your payroll, tax, and human resource worries addressed, you can focus on solving your business’s other challenges, like finding new ways worries addressed, you can focus on solving your business’s other challenges, like finding new ways to soothe an iratechallenges, Tyrannosaurus. business’s other like finding new ways to soothe an irate Tyrannosaurus. to anwere iratehurt Tyrannosaurus.

No soothe Dinosaurs in the research for this article.

ECCA Payroll+ ECCA Payroll+ ECCA Payroll+ Established in 1975 by Hank Starr Established in 1975 by Hank Starr Established in 1975Owned

by Hank Starr Locally and Family Locally and Family Owned Locally and Family Owned Douglas Starr Douglas Starr President, Douglas ECCA, StarrInc. President, ECCA, Inc. President, ECCA, Inc. Products Products Payroll+ | Mutual Expert | Primarius Products Payroll+ | Mutual Expert | Primarius Payroll+ | Mutual Expert | Primarius

For more information about For more information about For more information about ECCA please visit ECCA please visit ECCA please visit www.eccapayroll.com www.eccapayroll.com www.eccapayroll.com

PAYROLL PAYROLL SERVICES SERVICES Payroll and Taxes Payroll and Taxes Payroll and Taxes

Human Resources Human Resources Human Resources Time & Attendance Time & Attendance Time & Attendance Affordable Care Act Affordable Care Act Affordable Care Act Benefits Management Benefits Management Benefits Management Employee Self Service Employee Self Service Employee Self Service

Electronic Data Interchange Electronic Data Interchange Electronic Data Interchange

No Dinosaurs were hurt in the research for this article.

No Dinosaurs were hurt in the research for this article.

• 1600 Peninsula Drive, Erie PA 16505 • 1-800-864-2843 • www.eccapayroll.com • 1600 Peninsula Drive, Erie PA 16505 • 1-800-864-2843 • www.eccapayroll.com • 1600 Peninsula Drive, Erie PA 16505 • 1-800-864-2843 • www.eccapayroll.com mbabizmag.com •

OCTOBER 2016

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TEAM RESULTS

Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. has been delivering sound legal advice for over 55 years. Our skilled team of more than 40 attorneys, 20 paralegals, and a dedicated support staff is driven by results. Whether you are the CEO of a large company or a young family developing an estate plan, we understand your needs and strive to fulfill them in a friendly, responsive and cost-effective manner.

When you need a team, we pull together to help you come out ahead.

Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. Erie, PA | Jamestown, NY | North East, PA 814-459-2800 | www.kmgslaw.com

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Business & Tax Elder Law Environmental Law Estate Planning & Administration Family Law Governmental Practice Health Law Intellectual Property & Technology Labor & Employment Law Litigation Public Finance & Bonds Real Estate Workers’ Compensation

COMPANY COMPANY PROFILE PROFILE Tom and Chuck Reams Tom and Chuck Reams

Customized Customized Employee Employee Benefit Benefit Solutions Solutions Our Our business business is is helping helping your your business business Since 1991, C.H. Reams & Associates has Since 1991, C.H. to Reams & Associates has been dedicated providing independent, been dedicated to providing independent, objective and honest insurance services objective and honest insurance services to clients across the nation.

As one of the to clients across the nation.

As one of the leading insurance and employee benefits leading insurance and employee benefits administrators in northwest Pennsylvania, administrators in northwest Pennsylvania, the agency serves a diverse clientele the agency serves a diverse clientele ranging from small, local employers to ranging from small, local employers to large, multistate corporations.

C.H. Reams large, multistate corporations.

C.H. Reams specializes in designing, implementing specializes in designing, implementing and maintaining customized employee and maintaining customized employee benefit plans. In addition, they provide benefit plans.

In addition, they unique administrative services provide that enable unique administrative services that plan enable customers to manage their benefit in customers to manage their benefit plan in the most cost-effective manner. the most cost-effective manner.

What Sets What Sets Us Us Apart?

Apart?

Unlike many other benefit administrators

Unlike manyoffer otherone benefit administrators who simply service for all groups, who simply offer one service for all groups, C.H. Reams & Associates understands that all C.H. Reams & Associates understands that all companies have different wants and desires companies have different wants and desires when building an effective benefits plan. Not when building an effective Not only will C.H. Reams consultbenefits on planplan. design, only will C.H. Reams consult on plan design, implementation and renewal services, but implementation renewal services, but they also provideand billing and customized they also provide billing and customized management reports. While other brokers management While other brokers help clients toreports. buy these products for inhelp clients to buy these products for inhouse use, C.H. Reams actually serves as an house use, C.H. Reams actually serves as an extension of their client’s human resources extension of their client’s human resources department. It’s a service that goes above department. It’s a service that goes above

and beyond and has proven much more and proven much more cost beyond effectiveand for has the companies they serve. cost effective for the companies they “Our systems are really what make thisserve.

“Our reallyChuck what make this work,systems ” explainsare owner Reams.

“We’ve work, ” explains owner Chuck Reams.

“We’ve developed systems that make their lives developed systems that make their lives easier. They aren’t just hiring a broker, they are easier.

They aren’t just hiring a broker, they are” also getting a benefits package administrator. also getting a benefits package administrator.”

Getting Getting the the Most Most from from Your Group Health Your Group Health Plan Plan

With a rapidly changing health care With a rapidly C.H. changing care environment, Reamshealth & Associates environment, C.H. Reams & Associates offers innovative strategies that empower offers innovative strategies empower employers to realize the fullthat potential of their employers to realize the full potential of their employee benefit dollars. In recent years, employee benefit dollars.

In recent years, self-funded insurance plans have been on self-funded insurance plans have been on the rise among larger and even mid-sized the rise among larger and even mid-sized companies — allowing employers to not companies — allowing employers not only cut costs, but, in essence, helpto grow only cut costs, but, in essence, help grow their business. their business.

As a third party administrator, C.H. Reams As third partyrun administrator, C.H. Reams canaeffectively your self-funded plan by can effectively run your self-funded plan by offering the following services: offering the following services: • Consolidated billing • Consolidated billing • Customized management reporting • Customized management reporting • Self-funding claims analysis • Self-funding claims analysis • Medical claims auditing • Medical claims auditing • Enrollment and eligibility services • Enrollment and eligibility services • Cobra FSA and HRA administration • Cobra FSA and HRA administration

Group Group Products Products • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fully Insured Health Plans Fully Insured Health Plans Self-Funded Health Plans Self-Funded Health Plans Dental Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Vision Insurance Life Insurance Life Insurance Disability Income Disability InsuranceIncome Insurance • Long-Term Care Insurance • Long-Term Care Insurance C.H. Reams & Associates is C.H. Reams & Associates pleased to offer samples isof pleased to offer samples their consolidated billingof their consolidated billing statements or management statements or management reports. Contact the office reports. the office for moreContact information. for more information.

C.H. Reams & Associates . 401 Cranberry Street, Suite 100, Erie, PA 16507 . (814) 453.4357 . www. chreams.com C.H. Reams & Associates . 401 Cranberry Street, Suite 100, Erie, PA 16507 . (814) 453.4357 . www. chreams.com

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

11

ASSOCIATION SERVICES

TAKES YOUR TRAINING TO THE NEXT LEVEL 12

OCTOBER 2016 • mbabizmag.com

No matter the product or service, the most valuable asset that a company has is its people. That’s why investing in professional development training remains such a priority among successful companies — an investment that not only benefits their employees, but also their bottom line.

“Superior Tire & Rubber has used the Lean Champion & Six Sigma training to familiarize our employees with the concepts involved in both of these process improvement methods. The programs give our employees the knowledge of the tools needed to take the training to our shop floor.”

— Keith Bertch, Director of Human Resources Superior Tire & Rubber

According to a report in HR Magazine, companies investing $1,500 or more per employee per year on training average 24-percent higher profit margins than companies with lower yearly training investments. The American Society for Training and Development also collected information from 2,500 firms and found that companies that offer comprehensive training have 218-percent higher income per employee than those with less comprehensive training and enjoy a 24-percent higher profit margin than those who spend less on training. For those that don’t invest, the cost of staff turnover can quickly add up. Figures vary, but it can cost as much as $2,500, depending on the position, to replace a frontline employee.

“It’s one of my favorite sayings, ‘Train people well enough so they can leave.

Treat them well enough so they don’t want to,’ ” says Patty Welther, the Manufacturer & Business Association’s (MBA) manager of Member Engagement who also manages the MBA’s Professional Development Training Department. “I’m a firm believer that if you aren’t investing in and training your employees, it’s not good for them or your business.”

For more than 20 years, the Manufacturer & Business Association has been employers’ go-to resource for professional development training in the tri-state region.

The MBA’s professional trainers provide an interactive, engaging class environment that delivers the knowledge, skills and tools to improve performance and help

organizations compete more effectively.

Offerings include half- and full-day classes, onsite and regional training, as well as oneon-one customized coaching.

“Employers look to the MBA for their training needs because of our experience and the quality of the training itself,” says Welther. “Our curriculum and instruction are far superior to anything else out there.”

Learn It Today.

Apply It Tomorrow In addition to its HR Essential Certification, computer courses, one-day Food Safety Certification Series, Leadership for Team Leaders, Six Sigma and Lean courses, one of the most highly sought-after program offerings is the MBA’s Certified Supervisory Skills Series. The five-part series teaches new and experienced supervisors the skills needed to properly motivate and direct their teams to meet company goals, objectives and law compliance. Emphasis is on mastering management techniques essential to the success of both the supervisor and the company.

“They all are such reputable courses,” says Welther. “So many people have taken them, and we heard some people who took the courses years ago were still applying the skills that they learned from the classes.

They’re all real-world experience classes.”

In fact, the courses offered through the MBA are designed so participants can apply those

techniques the next day. The MBA’s motto is, “Learn it today. Apply it tomorrow.”

“Our longest series is also the Supervisory Skills Series and that takes place over 10 days, but it meets twice a month for a period between four and five months with the vision of going to the class, going back to your workplace, applying what you learned, going back into the class and talking about, ‘How did that go?’ ” says Welther. “Most of our classes have that approach. You can go back, apply the skills, and then you come in for either Part II of the class or, in the case of some of the classes like Safety, you come for a whole new class.”

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING TEAM Patty Welther is the manager of Member Engagement for the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA). She also is responsible for managing the MBA’s Professional Development Training Department.

Lisa DeFilippo is a training specialist at the Manufacturer & Business Association.

Tracy Daggett is a training specialist at the Manufacturer & Business Association.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

13

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Experts agree that continuity is key to making the most of a professional development training program, especially when offered in a series. “You have the continuity of instructors and many of the same classmates,” says Welther. “You’re not only learning from the instructor, but you’re also learning from people who are in the classroom with you.”

“The management team here at the Achievement Center has just completed the Supervisory Skills training series. This training was a positive step toward helping us to establish more consistent and positive ways to address everyday concerns when managing people. The training topics covered were in line with the issues our management team struggles with and the information provided has given us a host of new tools to use in managing employee situations.

We recommend this training to senior leaders who wish to refresh their skills and to new supervisors and managers who want to lead off on the right foot with their direct reports.”

— Janice M. Clark, SPHR, Director of Human Resources/Safety Achievement Center

People from nearly every industry participate in the MBA’s training classes, including manufacturing and industrial, health care, education, nonprofit, retail and the government sector. “Everyone has their own unique experiences and best practices to share,” says Welther. “Our instructors help lead the discussions so participants also can learn from their peers.”

Expert Instruction The MBA’s professional training specialists, too, leave a lasting impact on participants.

Not only do these trainers have the skills and expertise to teach, but also bring real-world experience to the program.

Training specialist Lisa DeFilippo has more than 20 years of experience as a former county health department inspector, trainer and independent consultant, while Tracy Daggett has nearly 20 years of general management, finance and production management experience working for big-box stores like Rite Aid and Lowe’s.

Welther herself has more than 20 years of experience in account management and development in industries including manufacturing, telecommunications, publishing and the nonprofit sector.

“Our trainers are not just standing there lecturing,” says Welther. “They’ve taken that management experience, along with our core curriculum, and made that instruction engaging and hands-on.”

The MBA augments its training with contract instructors, as well. These individuals bring a wide range of expertise in communications, safety, fundraising and/or manufacturing, for example.

“Our classes are taught by true experts in their fields,” explains Welther. “We want our instructors and materials to be as timely and relevant as possible.”

Indeed, the MBA is constantly evaluating all classes offered for feedback. This helps keep materials fresh and ensure participants are getting the best instruction and the most current information available. It also helps to generate new programs. Just this year, the MBA introduced several new courses due to increasing interest, such as its three-part

“The Manufacturer & Business Association delivered solid, actionable training through their Lean Champion series. Assisted by that training, we have been able to expand our lean efforts and complete even more kaizen events.”

— Dave Jacquel, PHR, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Manager Modern Industries, Inc.

Safety Series, Fundraising for Nonprofits, and Marketing and Communication Certificate Series. The marketing and communication courses, for example, give participants the chance to hone presentation skills in a real-world setting and from peer and instructor evaluations.

The series also includes the highly soughtafter Writing to WOW! class, social media, as well as marketing strategy courses, among others.

“Whether you are a seasoned communicator or just beginning your career, these are courses that can have an immediate impact on the work world,” says Welther.

For graduates of such series, the MBA also goes the extra mile to acknowledge their completion of the program. Recognition Ceremonies, including a luncheon for participants and their employers, are regularly held to mark the occasion.

“This is a major accomplishment for all involved — from completing the course to investing in it — and that deserves to be recognized,” says Welther. “At the MBA, you can count on us to take your training experience to the next level.”

For more information about the MBA’s professional development training programs, contact Patty Welther at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2600 or visit www.mbausa.org.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

15

E V ERY T H I NG YO U N EED ON E B E AU T I F U L LOC AT I ON If you’re looking for the best location to book your next event, consider the Bayfront Convention Center Complex. With everything you need — all in one convenient location — our staff will take care of all the plans to ensure your event is not only a success, but provides an experience.

55 West Bay Drive • Erie, PA 16507 (814) 454-2005 • 200 guest rooms • Newly renovated and award-winning hotel • Memorable waterfront views • 5,800 square feet of flexible meeting space • Connected via 65-foot-high SkyBridge to the Bayfront Convention Center • Award-winning Bayfront Grille restaurant

1 Sassafras Pier • Erie, PA 16507 (814) 455-1260

2 Sassafras Pier • Erie, PA 16507 (814) 636-1005

• Versatile meeting space to accommodate any needs — from groups of 10 to 5,000 ― 28,800-square-foot Great Hall ― 13,500-square-foot Grand Ballroom ― 14,000 square feet of breakout meeting space

• Brand new hotel with 192 rooms (Totaling 392 in the Bayfront Convention Center Complex), and featuring bayfront suites • 20,000-square-foot outdoor rooftop plaza • Connected to the Bayfront Convention Center • Beautiful views of Presque Isle Bay • Infinity pool • Fitness center

• State-of-the-art facility with data connection throughout • Uniquely located between seven miles of beaches and the heart of downtown Erie, overlooking scenic Presque Isle Bay • Free on-site parking

For more information or for reservations, contact the Bayfront Convention Center at (814) 455-1260, the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel at (814) 454-2005, or the Courtyard Marriott at (814) 636-1005.

Bonnell’s Auto Group is focused on providing superior quality for vehicles and the highest level of customer service for the people who own them.

An Auto Group Where Customers Can Expect

‘The Very Best’ The last thing you remember from your grocery trip was thinking about dinner plans.

The next thing you know, you’re climbing out of your car, which had been pushed through the intersection by someone who saw the red light as a suggestion.

You look at your car. It’s definitely not drivable.

Dazed, you complete the obligatory statements for the police and first responders. No, you don’t want to go to the hospital. You feel fine.

The tow truck arrives. Your car is towed to Bonnell’s Collision on West 26th Street, a friend’s recommendation. You stand at the front door of Bonnell’s, take the proverbial deep breath, and walk in.

An Experience Like No Other Trendy, bright orange decor smiles at you from the walls, the entrance looks like a fivestar hotel lobby, and a warm, beautiful fire flickers in front of you. “This can’t be an auto body repair shop,” you think.

The receptionist offers you coffee and popcorn and invites you to relax in a massage chair. After today’s events, you accept. She explains that your car is being examined by an adjuster. Almost on cue, an estimator walks through the door and shakes your hand.

“Don’t get up,” he says. He explains the procedure moving forward. He will write up an estimate on the spot. You can either wait, or he’ll call you later to review the estimate and email you a hard copy.

18

OCTOBER 2016 • mbabizmag.com

After you feel comfortable with the process, the estimator walks to an enclosed glass area where you can watch as he and the team move carefully around your car with a computer cart detailing every issue.

The Quality Your Vehicle Deserves While you watch the Bonnell’s estimator complete his work, you reflect on your conversation.

“We are very thorough and give each car the level of quality it deserves as one of your biggest investments,” he says. “Some shops skim what needs to be done in their estimate.

We examine the car from top to bottom to give you the most accurate estimate possible.” The level of detail didn’t stop there.

Your thoughts are interrupted by the receptionist to let you know your rental car arrived. “We work with all the major insurance companies directly, so you don’t have to worry about the back and forth,” she says.

“That’s great customer service,” you think, before taking the keys and heading home.

Bonnell’s Auto Glass is a leader in professional automotive glass repair, window tinting and window replacement services.

For All Your Auto Needs This experience is what you will get at any location of Bonnell’s Auto Group. “It’s the level of customer service our customers have come to expect,” says owner Scott Bonnell, “and the level of attention to detail and care that shocks our new customers.”

For more than 30 years, Bonnell’s Auto Group has been focused on providing superior quality for vehicles and the highest level of customer service for the people who own them. What started as a one-man collision shop in Girard in 1985 has since expanded to locations in Erie and Fairview and includes a group of services, not just collision work.

Bonnell’s Auto Glass offers fast, reliable and mobile glass needs from repair to replace, and window tinting. For those in the market for a new vehicle, Bonnell’s Auto Sales handselects its inventory with something for every household and budget.

Bonnell’s Collision Center has been performing high-quality auto body repair and automobile painting since 1985.

done now while your vehicle is already in the shop so that you don’t have to worry about transportation next month,” says Bonnell.

“Was your classic scratched? No problem.

Even if it is through insurance, our Hot Rod Shop can take care of it.”

Bonnell’s Auto Sales, with locations in Erie and Fairview, is home to one of Erie’s finest selections of used and pre-owned cars, trucks and SUVs.

“Maybe your vehicle was totaled by the insurance company,” he adds, “call Bonnell’s Auto Sales and let us know what the insurance company is giving you for your vehicle. Maybe we can turn your bad situation into the car you’ve always wanted.”

“Our vehicles are Signature Certified — the highest level of quality certification in used car sales,” explains Bonnell. “We carry high-end and classics, trucks, minivans and more. If you’re really a car guru, stop by our Bonnell’s Rod Shop in Fairview. Take a look at the custom builds and restorations we’ve done on these beauties.”

Why Choose Bonnell’s Auto Group?

Bonnell’s not only promises to exceed expectations, but also offers its customers everything at one time. “While your vehicle is in for collision repairs, let us fix the chip in the windshield that has been bothering you for months. Need your vehicle inspected? Have it

Like everything else they do, each Auto Group component was added to enhance the customer experience. Bonnell says this emphasis on quality and service is woven into their fabric. “We continuously focus on elevating the quality of our services and the importance of our customer,” Bonnell says.

“We intensely focus on every detail of your experience because we really do believe ‘you deserve the very best!’ ”

Bonnell’s Rod Shop, which specializes in classic, custom and modified vehicles, offers its customers the ability to perform the smallest repair, such as changing a lightbulb, to the largest, like scratch building a custom, one-off creation.

4230 Franklin Road Fairview, Pa 16415 (814)474-5277

TWO LOCATIONS! 7687 West Ridge Road 2650 W 26th St Fairview, Pa 16415 Erie, Pa 16506 (814)474-3260 (814)833-7300

TWO LOCATIONS! 4230 Franklin Road 2570 W 26th St Fairview, Pa 16415 Erie, Pa 16506 (814)474-5508 (814)835-4351

8000A Middle Road Fairview, Pa 16415 (814)474-2400

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

19

WORLD CLASS AIR

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDER Already providing commercial air service from three major airlines, United, Delta and American Airlines, the Erie Regional Airport Authority has now announced the launching of the activated Erie Foreign Trade Zone (Erie FTZ) powered by Logistics Plus, a globally recognized leader in logistics services.

The ERI FTZ allows Erie International Airport to expand beyond passenger-only transportation – to a capable hub for air cargo and global commerce.

WE’RE IN THE

ZONE Erie Regional Airport Authority - 4411 West 12th Street - Erie, PA 16505 - www.erieairport.org

Smith Provision Co., Inc. 1300 Cranberry Street Erie, PA 16501 Third and fourth generations of the Weber Family (from left): Liz Weber, assistant plant manager; Mike Weber, president; Sara Kallner, vice president, Business Operations; John Weber, senior vice president, Manufacturing; Emily Weber, plant manager

Phone: 814/459-4974 Fax 814/879-0998 Toll-free: 800/334-9151 www.smithhotdogs.com

Committed to Tradition For Nearly 90 Years When Anton Weber and his son Magnus purchased Smith’s in 1949, they hardly envisioned that the small butcher shop founded in 1927 would eventually occupy more than 100,000 square feet of space, two locations and see annual sales of $16 million.

At the time, Anton and Magnus were too busy formulating their own recipes and stuffing sausages, wieners and bologna by hand to focus on that sort of planning. But their work ethic and the example that they set for future generations of the family owned and operated business set the stage for growth and expansion.

As president of Smith Provision Co., Inc. for the past 25 years, Mike Weber never strayed far from the basic principles that his father and grandfather used to guide the business: never compromise on quality; treat people with respect; and, give back to those who support you. Those who know Mike will tell you his mantra has always been that the customer comes first. This tenet has served Smith’s well over the past eight decades. The Company sees growth year over year, and while proud of that growth, the Weber family is careful to manage it in conservative steps, which has served customers, the community and Smith’s employees well.

As the Erie community braces for changes in the future, Smith’s offers a small but important example of what community commitment means and why it is important.

Weber is proud to note that while the employee group is relatively small, with 47 full-time employees, the Company has never had a layoff and offers family-sustaining wages and a health-care and retirement plan that is almost unheard of in this day and age. Says Weber, “In my view, dedicated, knowledgeable

employees are the key to consistently preparing safe, delicious and memorable foods to our friends, neighbors and community.”

Mike Weber, president

CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E

With a limited marketing budget, Smith’s has been creative in the path it has chosen to grow its business, leveraging relationships with iconic sports teams, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, to expand its geographic footprint and brand itself in a way that encourages customers to try the product for the first time.

Weber nears retirement, he takes great pride in passing the reins to his brother, John, as the new president; as well as watching the fourth generation: three of his five daughters and his son-in-law continue to leave their mark on the family business. “If I have a legacy to leave, it is the commitment to quality products that was passed down to John and me from our grandfather Tony, and our dad Max, and that we are happily instilling in the fourth generation to operate Smith’s,” he says.

Smith’s also has rolled out several new items in the past decade enjoyed by loyal customers who appreciate product that is smoked the way it would have been 100 years ago: by burning real, locally sourced, sugar maple wood. Smith’s sliced bacon; old fashioned hams and the iconic Ox Roast are all products that die-hard fans will ship across the country if they can’t make it home to Erie to find it on the store shelf.

Recently, the Company rolled out the family’s oldfashioned kielbasa, branding it Boski Kielbasa, an homage to “divine sausage.”

Weber will tell you that there is no greater compliment than the customers who will stop him to tell a story about Smith’s products being enjoyed with family and friends, and that it is those moments that make him feel both humbled and incredibly grateful. As

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

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111TH ANNUAL EVENT | KEYNOTE SPEAKER

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OCTOBER 2016 • mbabizmag.com

ROBERT HERJAVEC

‘SHARK TANK’ STAR AND TECHNOLOGY EXPERT SHARES HIS LESSONS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP “I don’t think anybody ever started a great business because they wanted to make a little more cash.

They had a dream. They wanted to better their life.”

— Robert Herjavec Next to the ruthless software mogul “Mr. Wonderful” Kevin O’Leary and larger-thanlife dotcom billionaire Mark Cuban, it’s easy to see why Robert Herjavec is considered one of “Shark Tank’s” most amiable “Sharks.” But his good nature and genial demeanor, which make him a fan favorite among the Emmy Award-winning TV show’s more than 7 million viewers, shouldn’t be mistaken for weakness among the cutthroat panel of investors or in the business world’s school of hard knocks.

As a matter of fact, Herjavec’s rags to riches story, as a Croatian immigrant working to pay the bills to building a global technology empire, is proof of how perseverance and hard work and the ability to sell yourself can lead to success. Today, the founder of Herjavec Group is one of North America’s most recognizable business leaders and TV stars who also has the distinct honor of adding bestselling author, racecar driver and ballroom dancer to his impressive resumé.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

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YOU CAN’T BUILD THE ERIE OF TOMORROW ON YESTERDAY’S NETWORK. Technology is changing the way we work and live. Although demand for next generation services at work and home have increased exponentially, the legacy network delivering service has not kept pace with the needs of our region.

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According to his biography, Herjavec was born in Eastern Europe, and he and his family arrived in North America on a boat after escaping Communism in the former Yugoslavia.

From delivering newspapers and waiting tables, to launching a computer company from his basement, his drive to achieve has led him to the fulfillment of a better life for himself and his family.

Hailed as a “dynamic entrepreneur,” Herjavec has built and sold several IT companies to major players such as AT&T. In 2003, he founded Herjavec Group, which quickly became one of North America’s fastest-growing technology companies. These days, Herjavec Group is recognized as a global leader in information security specializing in managed security services, compliance, incident response and remediation efforts for enterprise level organizations.

Herjavec’s inspiring books, Driven and The Will to Win, were simultaneously Top 10 bestsellers that earned him the title of “bestselling author.” Most recently, he released his eagerly awaited third book, You Don’t Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success, published by St. Martin’s Press, on May 17.

Highly sought-after for his motivational business advice, Herjavec shares his expertise with other entrepreneurs each week as a leading “Shark” on “Shark Tank” and receives millions of impressions through TV, print, radio and digital media.

Herjavec also placed sixth with his partner Kym Johnson, competing for the mirror ball trophy on the popular show, “Dancing with the Stars,” and walked away with an even greater prize by marrying Johnson this past July.

For the past several years, Herjavec has competed as Ferrari #007 for Herjavec Group Racing in the Ferrari Challenge North America Series, achieving multiple podiums and winning 2011 Rookie of The Year. To Herjavec, according to his biography, running a business is a lot like one of his greatest passions — racing cars. He believes, “You have to stay laser-focused when driving a car over 200 miles an hour, and the same approach is required when growing a business in today’s world of rapidly changing technology.”

Here, in an exclusive interview with the Manufacturer & Business Association’s (MBA) Business Magazine, the savvy investor and global technology expert talks about his journey and lessons in entrepreneurship, ahead of his keynote address at the MBA’s 111th Annual Event on October 5 in Erie.

To get our readers more familiar with you beyond your fame on “Shark Tank,” we wanted to speak with you about your background and growing up as a Croatian immigrant in Canada and how that influenced your determination to succeed. Could you give us a better idea of your experiences and the influence of your parents that molded you into who you are today?

I was 8 years old when my family left Croatia (then former Yugoslavia). My dad had been arrested for speaking his mind… again, and so he grabbed my mom and I in the middle of the night and we fled for Canada. We took a boat

Robert Herjavec is one of North America’s most recognizable business leaders, star on the hit TV series “Shark Tank,” and CEO of Herjavec Group, a global IT security firm.

Born: September 14, 1962 in Varazdin, Croatia Spouse: Kym Johnson Bestselling Books: Driven: How to Succeed in Business and in Life, The Will to Win and You Don’t Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success Children: Brendan, Caprice and Skye

here, and when we arrived in Canada, we faced a lot of challenges. We didn’t speak the language, my parents didn’t have jobs; it was very, very tough. I grew up quickly in that environment because I acted like a translator of sorts for my parents. I remember being 10 years old and having to review our rental contract with my dad to make sure he understood it. Not many kids get or have to do that — depending on how you looked at it. I had a huge chip on my shoulder from being bullied as a kid, but my parents were always there for me. They loved me and supported me. They taught me that no matter what the bullies were saying, they were no better than me, and I was no better than anyone else. I wanted to be successful to justify all the work they had put in to give me this opportunity for freedom.

You once told a story about how your mom had saved up several weeks’ worth of pay to buy a vacuum cleaner. How did that experience influence you and your drive to succeed?

Two things happened after my mom was taken advantage of by that salesperson. 1) I was angry and never wanted to see my family hurt again because we didn’t understand or were too poor. I wanted to change that situation. 2) I was amazed at the power of persuasion and wanted to know more about sales and the level of influence this man had exerted to convince my mom she needed this vacuum. To be clear, I was more mad than anything, but it was the first time I really realized that an individual has that kind of power to persuade.

As many entrepreneurs can relate, you had several jobs such as waiting tables, delivering newspapers, retail sales and collections, but you were determined and

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

25

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jumped at the chance to interview with an IT company when the opportunity presented itself. What lesson(s) could you share with our readers about persistence and opportunity — and how it opened the doors to your first company BRAKSystems?

You have to treat every day like a new opportunity to succeed. I often refer to a Mark Cuban quote that says, ‘Everyday, someone wakes up with the sole intention of kicking your ass.’ I would add — don’t let that happen today.

Everything I’ve learned in business is because I made a mistake, learned and didn’t do it again. You have to try, but if you fail, you need to be resilient and bounce back. I found a problem, solved it and managed to evolve as our industry grew. I would tell entrepreneurs today to ensure they have a problem to solve and customers who believe they have a solution, before they go all in. There’s nothing wrong with testing before you jump in. I sold my first order with BRAK before I even had a registered company name or tax ID. But I knew I had a customer, so I was on the right track.

Even then I didn’t give up my other job until it became so overwhelmingly tiresome that I couldn’t physically do both.

You have to be able to push through the pain — mental, physical, emotional and keep the end state in mind in order to be persistent and seize the opportunity.

What is the hardest business lesson you have learned?

That’s a tough one — because I’ve made so many mistakes and learned along the way. I would say that the hardest lesson is to dream bigger. It sounds corny but no one comes to you and says “this is how successful you’ll be if you only do x, y, z… .” When you run your own business, you set the pace. You set the goals. You drive the team. It’s on you. The biggest mistake I would say is not accelerating my business quicker into other regions. Were there reasons? Sure. But could it have worked? It did eventually, and I look back thinking that I could have positioned us for that exponential growth earlier in our cycle.

What do you believe is the true secret to success?

The ability to be resilient. You have to bounce back.

Tell us more about your Herjavec Group. In 2003, I understand it was a little known company with three employees that is now one of Canada’s fastest-growing and largest IT security providers, with approximately $160 million in sales. Describe those early days — the struggles and challenges — and when you realized it would be successful? What’s the state of the company today, and what is your vision for the future?

We started Herjavec Group in 2003. We were three guys and had a goal of $5 million in sales. We did $400K that year and realized the market wasn’t quite ready for our vision. We had to work hard, adapt and understand what our customers really wanted and needed. We were ahead of the curve in terms of offering managed security services and have found a way to scale our technical operations as demand has increased globally. Today we are 275 people, with operations across Canada, U.S., UK and Australia. We focus on enterprise security, offering cybersecurity products and services that

“Business is a sprint until you find an opportunity, then it’s the patience of a marathon runner.”

— Robert Herjavec make big businesses more secure. We have expertise in consulting, professional services, managed services and incident response. We will do over $160 million this year, and I really feel like we are just getting started. Our space is so hot.

I see us continuing to grow across the U.S., expanding into Asia Pacific and growing our services. We’re evaluating an acquisition into the Identity and Access Management space that will allow us to continue to deliver outstanding services to meet our customers’ complex needs.

You’ve now been an expert in the technology field for over 30 years. Tell us where IT security is headed and why business owners, in particular, should have IT security on their priority list.

The keyword I always use is more. More of everything. More devices, more connectivity, more risk. The Internet has become the new electricity. It just is. You don’t walk into a room and say, ‘Man, those lights are bright.” You just expect them to be on. The Internet is like that now. We demand connectivity and with that comes new threats to defend.

Business owners of all sizes need to have IT security as a priority because their financial reputation, brand reputation and credibility are on the line.

Now, I did want to talk to you more about your “Shark Tank” experience and how that came to be. Just like fellow “Shark” Kevin O’Leary, you had been a part of “Dragon’s Den” and really caught the eye of Mark Burnett. Tell us about that and why you decided to be a part of “Shark Tank.”

It was actually Kevin who encouraged me to do ‘Shark Tank.’

He was already cast, and they were looking for someone to be the good guy to his bad guy persona. Mr. Wonderful isn’t always so wonderful! I was honored to be considered, and we picked up right where we left off on ‘Dragon’s Den.’ Now that you’re in your eighth season of “Shark Tank,” tell us the difference between the first seasons and now. How has this experience impacted you and your business?

The difference in the show is that it’s bigger and better. The entrepreneurs are far more sophisticated, and our fan base has been educated in the language of entrepreneurship.

It’s a real movement across America, and it’s so incredible to see families gathering around the TV on a Friday night and talking about investments, about businesses and about being innovative. The show has given our business a platform to elevate what we are passionate about — cybersecurity. With breaches constantly in the headlines, it’s important that I use my position on TV to create awareness around the threats we face from a security standpoint — at the consumer, SMB and enterprise level, and try to share my opinions on what business leaders and politicians need to know. My business has benefitted from increased brand

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

27

C E L E B R AT I N G 1 1 0 Y E A R S pennsylvania of building northwest and southwest new york It is with great pride and honor that we celebrate E.E. Austin & Son’s 110th anniversary. Companies that reach such a landmark universally share certain traits, such as honesty, integrity, and a consistently high level of service that meets their customers expectations. Our clients come back to us time and again for these very reasons and we are grateful for their support.

It’s the Austin Difference.

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awareness for sure, and that’s important as we continue to grow in the U.S. What people don’t ever realize is we only shoot for 17 days a year. ‘Shark Tank’ is really fun, but I am full time, every day, 24/7 invested in our company, Herjavec Group.

The Sharks are like family to me. We can go toe-to-toe (or fin-to-fin — get it?), in the ‘Tank,’ and yell and scream. But then we go for drinks after and have each others’ backs. I’m always asking questions and learning about each of their businesses. It’s a great focus group to have around!

You always seem to work with people who are looking to solve a problem and have a client base that needs said product/service. How would you describe your business approach?

You recently wrote a new book, You Don’t Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success, and have authored two other books — Driven and The Will to Win. How is this new book different from others that are out there? Why should our members pick up a copy?

That’s exactly my philosophy. Find a problem, identify a customer base, and make sure they’ll buy from you before you jump in. You need to know you have customers.

You once said that running a business is a lot like racing cars. Please explain.

I love racing. I’m a bit of an adrenaline junky to be honest.

When you’re driving a race car at 200 mph, you can’t look right or left. You have to look exactly where you’re wanting the car to go because when you turn your head, you’ll drive into the wall. You have to be laser focused. In business, it’s the same. There’s all kinds of noise and distractions, but you need to keep your eyes on the long-term vision and not drive into the wall!

You appear to be one of the sharks who people really want to work with. Why do you think people gravitate to your business approach when making a deal?

I always want to learn, and I have a passion for what I do. I want to work with similarly minded people. Sometimes you just click with someone who engages you in the ‘Tank,’ and you know it’s going to be a great partnership.

What has been your favorite experience/investment on the show? What has been your most successful “Shark Tank” investment? What was the worst pitch?

One of my favorite investments is Chord Buddy. I just love the team there so much. They had a vision for an educational musical product, and they want to do good in the world. I love that. My most successful investment so far has been Tipsy Elves — inappropriate ugly holiday sweaters.

Not exactly what you’d picture for an IT guy to invest in, but that shows that we all have transferable skills, and when you recognize a product that you think consumers will love, you have to jump on it.

The worst pitch? I’d say anyone who comes out and can’t get our attention. We all have a lot going on. We’re hungry, we’re tired, we’re trying to run our businesses. You walk out and you need to make an impression quick, otherwise you’re going to feel the pain of the ‘Shark Tank!’

What do you think of the other sharks, and what have you learned from them?

This book is all about you selling your best asset — yourself.

I’ve put in a lot of my personal experiences. Everything from my business, to ‘Shark Tank,’ to ‘Dancing with the Stars’ to make people realize that we can all feel uncomfortable in certain situations, but it’s how you influence, engage and position yourself that matters. It’s a book about sales for the non salesperson so you can walk away motivated, with very tangible tips on how you can improve your positioning.

Since “Shark Tank,” it seems you are everywhere — “Beyond the Tank,” “Dancing with the Stars” (congratulations to you and your wife Kym, by the way), racecar circuits — but you also seem to find time to get involved in things that are making a difference. Tell us why you decided to get involved with helping that boy who lost his prosthetic leg and your involvement with the C3 prize. (Note: We just so happen to have Easton LaChappelle, the rockstar of the robotics world and prosthetic arm, coming to our Mfg Day event on October 5 — the same day you will be in Erie).

Thank you! It really comes down to doing some good. I’ve been very blessed, and I try to work with organizations or people that motivate me and my team. We are very close to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission and to PLAY (an organization that supports active lifestyles for Autistic youth). When I heard about Liam’s incident, I just thought that it was so unfair and cruel. I’m fortunate, and if there was something in some small way that I could do so that he wouldn’t have a negative experience, I wanted to help. Astellas approached me about supporting the C3 prize and as someone who has been a care provider for my mom, a cancer patient, I just resonated with their initiative. I also appreciate any time an organization wants to encourage new ideas and innovation.

It’s an exciting program to be part of.

Do you believe that giving back goes hand-in-hand with success?

People look at this differently, but it is a part of my philosophy and approach in life. I want to do good and make the world a little bit better. I think in some way we all do. If I can help, or if I’m able to make a difference in some small way, I will certainly try.

What’s next for Robert Herjavec?

“What is great about entrepreneurship is that entrepreneurs create the tangible from the intangible.”

— Robert Herjavec

Back to my key word — MORE. Herjavec Group is my focus, and we are accelerating so quickly. Global expansion, bigger team, more complex challenges to solve. It’s exciting!

To learn more about Robert Herjavec and Herjavec Group, visit www.herjavecgroup.com.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

29

IMC has provided us with excellent service since our relationship began in 1999 and has performed admirably for MFG in every respect.

Richard Morrison, President/CEO Molded Fiber Glass Companies 2100 Teammates, Fiber Glass Reinforced Plastics IMC continues to provide exemplary service and constantly monitors our business to ensure that our Company is well protected. It is nice to have such a responsive service provider that is always on the ball.

IMC plays a vital role in our global risk management program. I enjoy working with the team because I always receive prompt, reliable, and accurate advice. They are committed to providing quality service with integrity and a client-driven approach which delivers peace of mind every single day.

Joe Fisher, Director, Business Analysis and Assistant Treasurer LORD Corporation 3000 Employees, Adhesives, Coatings, Motion Management Devices, and Sensing Technologies IMC has been our insurance partner for over 20 years and continues to provide professional guidance for our insurance needs.

Stephen M. Sada, Secretary/Treasurer Channellock, Inc. 400 Employees, Hand Tool Mfg. IMC’s highly dedicated and well qualified team has consistently delivered on its commitment to provide the best value and service to our company for over thirty years. Simply put, they are best in class.

Doug Currie, President Erie Press Systems 68 Employees, Manufacturer of Hydraulic & Mechanical Presses IMC has done an excellent job in handling our property and workers’ compensation insurance needs.

Given the constantly changing insurance market, we rely on their experience and expertise to bring us the best possible options in insurance coverage as well as keeping us current as to any new products that might be beneficial to our Company. IMC’s service level, as well as that of the carriers selected, has far exceeded our expectations.

Robert A. Johnson, Treasurer Ridg-U-Rak, Inc. 250 Employees, Manufacturer of High Density Storage Rack and Specialized Rack Systems IMC consistently provides us quality, personal service with world-class resources that support our growth, both domestically and internationally.

Michael J. Dzurik, Vice-President Finance/CFO Plastek Industries, Inc. 1081 Employees, Plastic Injection Molding,Tool & Die Mfg. I am completely satisfied and impressed with the high level of customer response and business knowledge. They are a great partner!

Joseph A. Pacinelli, President N.E. Foods Inc. 532 Employees, Frozen Food Products

John T. Johnson, President Port Erie Plastics 450 Employees, Plastic Injection Molding

The IMC philosophy and culture fits perfectly with our goal of providing the fastest, most reliable service to our customer.

Tim Hunter, President & CEO McInness Rolled Rings 80 Associates, Forged Steel Rings

IMC personnel are extremely knowledgeable and an excellent resource in all areas of business risk management.

Raymond P Seth, Treasurer Greenleaf Corporation 425 Employees, Ceramic & Carbide Cutting Tools

We are happy with our relationship with IMC! We feel they are a true partner by helping us manage our business risk in a very professional and friendly way.

Robert Marut, CPA, Vice President of Finance C&J Industries 325 Employees, Plastic Injection Molding and Contract Mfg. IMC personnel are both professional and knowledgeable in all areas of risk management. They go the extra mile to insure comprehensive coverage with competitive pricing.

Dave Tullio, President Custom Engineering 190 Employees, Contract Manufacturing, Fabrication, Machining, Heated Platens

IMC has provided insurance consultation to Great Lakes for nearly 10 years. Their team is responsive and knowledgeable. IMC has been a tremendous asset to Great Lakes in regards to risk management both domestically and internationally.

The team at IMC is an essential part of our team at ISM. They provide value above measure in regards to our property and liability insurance needs.

Rob Lowther, Executive VP Great Lakes Case & Cabinet Co., Inc. 200 Employees, Manufacturer of Data Center Thermal Management Solutions

You Are Known By the Company You Keep For nearly 20 years IMC professionals have exceeded expectations proactively and reactively. Their knowledge and integrity is world class.

Scott P. Kalmanek, Secretary/Treasurer/CFO Joy Cone Co. 583 Employees, Bakers of Cake, Sugar and Waffle Cones IMC is not your typical small town, family owned insurance agency, but rather a sophisticated, service intensive company. They have made a difference in limiting our exposures via tighter controls which allows us to focus much more on the daily challenges of running the business.

Beth Nury, President Beth’s Barricades 70 Employees, Supplier of Traffic Control Devices and Services IMC has been providing our property casualty risk management solutions for more than a decade. The IMC team has tremendous depth in experience, knowledge and contacts with relevant experts. They have brought value as an integral part of our risk management program to include plant inspections, disaster planning initiatives, coordination of global policies. They understand the subtle details which insure that insurance will work as expected while keeping the cost under control.

John A. Ross, CFO Kurt J. Lesker Company 340 Employees, Manufacturer Vacuum Deposition Systems and Components IMC is always reliable! I trust their knowledge and interpretation of the insurance nooks and crannies; I depend upon their selection of coverage that fits our particular business risks; and I am confident IMC will be by our side navigating the details of the claims process. IMC is a Professional Partner with reliable service – just what meets our business needs.

Lou Stack, General Counsel Seco/Warwick Corporation 101 Employees, Manufacturers of Heat Treatment Furnaces IMC provides outstanding professional and personalized service. They take the time to understand all aspects of our business to make sure our company is protected with the best coverage at the most reasonable cost.

Vanessa Whitehead, Controller Foretravel, Inc. 149 Employees, Manufacturer of Luxury Motorcoaches

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Industrial Sales & Manufacturing 176 Employees, Machining, Fabrication, Assembly, Testing and Finishing of Machined Products

IMC guys are nuts about risk management…so I don’t have that worry.

Tim Shuttleworth, President & CEO Eriez Manufacturing Company 1,000 Employees, Magnetic, Vibratory and Metal Detection Solutions Since March of 2000 IMC has been delivering to Jamestown Container Corporation what they promised, “SERVICE BEYOND EXPECTATIONS”. We have found their knowledge, expertise and follow through to be unmatched in the industry; truly a world-class organization.

Richard Weimer, VP of Finance Jamestown Container Corporation 350 Employees, Serving all your Packaging Needs We feel very fortunate to be doing business with IMC and consider them to be an extremely reliable and highly trusted business partner. They bring a level of professionalism, industry knowledge and subject matter expertise that is greatly valued by our company. Insurance and business risk can be difficult and complex areas to understand and manage, particularly for a chemical manufacturing company of our size. IMC has worked hard to educate us, to gain a keen understanding of our business and to help us craft an insurance and risk management strategy that has been both effective and affordable. And, after several years as a strategic partner, they remain engaged in our business and sincerely focused on customer satisfaction.

Bradley J. Westfall, President ASHTA Chemicals Inc. 96 Employees, Manufacturer and Marketer of Potassium Based Chemical Products IMC takes the time to understand our risk management needs. More importantly, they take the time to implement solutions.

Bill Kane, Chief Financial Officer Iten Industries 176 Employees, Manufacturer of Thermoplastic and Thermoset Stamped, Molded, and Machined Plastic Parts Your service is outstanding. Your representation of our interests with the various companies has likewise been excellent. We continue to be very pleased with all aspects of our relationship with IMC. Jason Steiner, CFO Morris Coupling Company 143 Employees, Pipe & Tube Couplings, Pipe Bending & Fabrication

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111TH ANNUAL EVENT | ENTERTAINMENT

A STAR-SPANGLED SINGING SENSATION MARLANA VANHOOSE TO DELIVER POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AT MBA’S ANNUAL EVENT

Marlana VanHoose, 21, stole the spotlight at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this summer with her stirring performance of the National Anthem. VanHoose will perform at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s 111th Annual Event on October 5 at the Bayfront Convention Center.

Marlana VanHoose is an extraordinary young singer and recording artist who has warmed the hearts of many throughout the world.

The Kentucky native was born with cytomegalovirus, but by the time she was a few weeks old, it was discovered that she was blind. Her optic nerve never formed, and she was not expected to live past one year. At the age of two, VanHoose was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy, yet her gift for singing and playing the piano began to soar.

According to VanHoose’s biography, “God had other plans for her. Marlana sees nothing but has a beautiful vision of life.

Even though she faces many challenges, she just sees it as a way of life.”

Today, the 21-year-old spirited singer has become a star performer at sporting events

and political gatherings, where she performs her own songs, gospels and the National Anthem. Most recently, VanHoose stole the spotlight at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland with her stirring performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

well as NBA games for the Brooklyn Nets, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns.

She even performed at the playoffs for the Indiana Pacers and, most recently, the NBA Championship Game 6 for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“She has a joyful nature and beams with confidence that she can take on the world — and win,” states VanHoose’s biography.

“She actively demonstrates that every day, even though she was born with the cytomegalovirus and unable to see…

Marlana has amazing confidence in her abilities to perform. “

VanHoose is a fixture at other major sporting events, as well, including for the Cincinnati Reds, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals.

Some of her biggest performances have been at Carnegie Hall in New York City and, of course, at the opening night of the Republican National Convention, which catapulted her into the spotlight before millions of viewers.

VanHoose, who will sing at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s 111th Annual Event on October 5 in Erie, is a member of the Artists Music Guild where she is a three-time Heritage Award recipient. She has been featured on “CBS News” and “Fox & Friends.” She has performed at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at the Kentucky Speedway. In 2014, VanHoose was featured in “Loud and Proud” on ESPN’s “E:60” for her performances at the University of Kentucky (UK) Women’s Basketball games.

VanHoose also has performed at the UK Men’s basketball game this past season, as

VanHoose’s powerful performance was one of the most talked about moments of the convention, leading to numerous interviews including “Inside Edition,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” and others.

According to VanHoose’s biography, “Her soaring and majestic voice continues to give joy and peace to all who are in her presence.”

For more information about Marlana VanHoose, visit www.littlemarlana.com.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

35

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Trauma Informed Therapy Helps Youth and Families When Trauma Strikes Family Services of NW PA is a leading nonprofit service provider in Northwest Pennsylvania that touches the lives of more than 7,500 children and families each year. Family Services of NW PA offers a comprehensive continuum of care and high-quality, innovative programs and services that include Adoption and Kinship Services, Office-Based Counseling, Youth and Family Support Programs, and In-Home Family Programs.

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CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E

old who have experienced traumatic life events such as traumatic grief, physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, accidents, disasters, and other forms of trauma and victimization. TF-CBT is the most researched and supported of all current treatments for childhood PTSD and child trauma.

Family Services of NW PA proudly offers seven evidence-based programs, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). This practice targets

TF-CBT was first introduced to the Erie region by Family Services of NW PA thanks to a four-year grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). In 2015, Family Services of NW PA received an additional two-year grant from PCCD to expand services to reach children

children and adolescents 4 to 18 years

and families living in the inner city of Erie.

Because of this expansion, Family Services of NW PA now offers TF-CBT at six satellite locations throughout Erie County.

Much of the success of TF-CBT is due to the rigorous standards required of all certified trauma therapists. In addition to training provided by the model developers, therapists must participate in monthly consultation sessions with an approved professional. Fidelity to the model is strictly monitored and evaluated.

Family Services of NW PA currently employs four trauma therapists. Three are certified in the TF-CBT model, and one is preparing to become certified. All therapists in TF-CBT are Master level, licensed clinicians.

Since 2007, Family Services of NW PA has seen consistently positive results working with children and adolescents.

Last year alone, TF-CBT therapists served 162 children and families throughout Erie County. Of the children and adolescents who have completed pre- and post-assessments throughout the life of the program, 90 percent reported statistically significant improvement with trauma symptoms.

To learn more about TF-CBT at Family Services of NW PA, visit FSNWPA.org or call 814/866-4500. Paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

39

Global Growth Through Sustainability It sounds like bad math: Two existing facilities plus 22 percent additional square footage, plus the latest in technology equals a decrease in energy consumption. Many would say someone added incorrectly.

However, for the employees of LORD Corporation, it makes perfect sense. This equation of innovation while reducing environmental impact is deeply rooted in LORD’s values.

“LORD strives to be a great company and a great corporate citizen,” says Mark Rose, a 29-year employee of LORD and current director of aerospace operations and supply chain. According to Rose, LORD does this by providing high-quality products to their customers while also providing positive benefits in the community through daily goals of safety, quality and customer service.

In 2011, this commitment was tested when LORD was faced with a seemingly impossible task — merge its two Erie facilities into a larger facility while reducing its environmental footprint.

The Situation LORD’s first building was constructed in the late 1930s on the heels of the Great Depression. As the company expanded over the next 75 years, the original 23,000-squarefoot building located on West 12th Street and Greengarden Boulevard in Erie was augmented with 34 additions, quickly becoming landlocked.

“By the time we moved, the facility was inefficient — both in production and in energy consumption. We knew that the mothership had served us well for 75 years, but she had seen her useful life,” Rose says.

By the mid-2000s, the need for a new facility was eminent.

The relocation project gained steam in December 2011 when LORD purchased the former Bush Industries plant on Robison Road, a 1.1 million-square-foot facility on

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OCTOBER 2016 • mbabizmag.com

87 acres. The new building would mean a 22-percent increase in LORD-occupied square footage not only providing opportunities for current and future space needs but also posing the threat of an increased impact on the environment.

The Process A 20-person team comprised of LORD’s leading process experts was assembled. For two years, the team traded their positions and office space for a full-time spot on the relocation team and work space inside a trailer. “The team was essentially handed a blank page and told to design a layout that would improve efficiencies both in energy and production,” Rose says. The primary goal facing the team was to combine and synergize the two Erie facilities — its aerospace manufacturing plant on 12th Street and its West Grandview facility, which housed LORD’s engineering, chemical labs and support services. They focused on several objectives that would merge the two facilities and plan for the future by incorporating LORD’s commitment to sustainability, including “develop a worldclass facility” and “improve efficiencies.”

“Our old operations had incredibly talented employees working in facilities that didn’t say

‘high-tech aerospace’. We wanted to build a facility our employees could be proud of and that was a physical demonstration of our commitment to quality, technology and sustainability for our customers,” Rose says.

After two years of planning and construction and a yearlong transition, in January 2015, both sites had been successfully merged and were fully operational within the Robison Road facility. It was time to measure results.

More Does Equal Less According to Ben Jones, facility manager, despite increasing the facility’s size by 22 percent, the energy usage per square foot plummeted 20 percent, negating any increase in energy use associated with increases in space utilization.

He attributes the decrease to a list of more than 40 areas including changes in production, controlled LED lighting, a centralized building management system, the latest energy-efficient features in HVAC, and additional insulation on roofs, walls and doors.

One of the most impactful changes, according to Rose, was climate control, which benefited both production and employee satisfaction.

“The manufacturing process we employ is

LORD Corporation Erie Facility serves as the primary aerospace & defense manufacturing site for the company with nearly 750 employees. The property consists of a 1.1 million-square-foot facility located on an 87-acre site.

After a year of operations at the Robison Road facility, 30 additional areas of improvement were identified. Today, four major projects are underway in 2016 and are estimated to net an additional annual savings of 330,000 gallons of water and 1.5 million kWh.

Large press manufacturing lines produce High Capacity Laminate bearings for aerospace rotary wing applications.

A Global Commitment LORD’s commitment to sustainability is global. While the Robison Road facility is touted as the largest investment in company history — a price tag of $100 million — LORD is involved with many sustainability projects in both production and facilities. very environmentally sensitive,” Rose says.

“The new facility’s climate management dually enhances our process control and provides our employees a much more comfortable working environment in a cost-effective manner.”

However, the biggest impact, according to both Rose and Jones, was the 93-percent reduction (71 million gallons) in water usage per year. This was due in part to a closed circuit chilled water cooling system, counter flow rinses on chemical lines and an onsite waste water treatment plant.

“These commitments contribute positively in the communities where we work and live and help us advance toward our long-term goals of global growth, expansion beyond our traditional markets and continuously serving our customers,” Jones says.

Rose agrees. “We view sustainability, safety and quality as part of our DNA — it’s just what we do.”

Automated chemical process lines used to prepare metal components prior to bonding rubber aerospace products.

About: LORD Corporation is a diversified technology and manufacturing company developing highly reliable adhesives, coatings, motion management devices, and sensing technologies that significantly reduce risk and improve product performance. For more than 90 years, LORD has worked in collaboration with its customers to provide innovative oil and gas, aerospace, defense, automotive and industrial solutions. With world headquarters in Cary, North Carolina, LORD has approximately 3,000 employees in 26 countries and operates 18 manufacturing facilities and nine R&D centers worldwide.

Northwest Pennsylvania Locations: • 2455 Robison Road W, Erie, PA 16509; • 601 South Street, Saegertown, PA 16433; • 124 Grant Street, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403 Phone: 814/868-3180 (Erie) Website: www.lord.com

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41

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Hoffman Industrial Company 1510 Irwin Drive Erie, PA 16505 814/452-2698 hoffmanindustrial.com

Let Hoffman Industrial Do Your Heavy Lifting If your business needs a company that specializes in rigging and machinery moving, there are a few things to consider and questions to ask before making that decision.

Experience How long has the company been providing rigging services and is it your core business?

Hoffman Industrial Co. has been in business for 170 years and is the oldest manufacturer in Erie. The core business for all of these years has been in rigging and machinery moving.

Several longtime employees with more 20 years in the industry bring invaluable know-how and experience to every job.

Safety and Training What safety and training is provided to employees?

Hoffman Industrial Co. goes beyond the required OSHA training by requiring its entire workforce to attain a Qualified Rigger certification. Hoffman accomplishes this goal by having employees attend a weeklong, off-site hands-on workshop and passing an independent certification exam offered by the Crane Institute of America Certification program.

Safety is priority No. 1, and committing to a significant industry specific training program is an

investment that provides dividends to customers and employees.

Art Hammond, president/owner

CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E

Equipment and Crew When was your last equipment purchase and how do you maintain your equipment?

Hoffman Industrial Co. is the first and only rigging company in our market to purchase a new Hoist FR 15/25 forklift. This innovative forklift has features you don’t find in older model forklifts, and its footprint is exceptionally compact to go where others just can’t.

In addition to the Hoist FR 15/25, Hoffman Industrial Co. also recently added to its fleet a Gradeall Telehandler. This is a four-wheel drive telescopic forklift to handle smaller, elevated jobs with speed and efficiency.

Hoffman Industrial Co. takes pride in the reliability and presentation of its equipment and crew. Strict maintenance standards are required and accomplished on all equipment. There’s a difference clients can see with their own eyes.

Insurance Do you have industry specific insurance and can you provide a Certificate of Insurance?

For your protection, Hoffman Industrial Co. is the industry leader in rigging specific insurance and will provide an independent Certificate of Insurance.

Hoffman Industrial Co. understands the risks are too great to cut corners in this area. Customers don’t need to take a chance on a rigging company that doesn’t have the financial backing to deal with the unexpected with insurance that doesn’t cover the value of their asset.

Conclusion Hoffman Industrial Co. continues to differentiate its business from the competition with investments in safety, training, equipment, crew and customer satisfaction. As Hoffman draws on experience, it also focuses on developing the culture and structure of the business to meet the ever-changing environment. The company identifies that competing on integrity can be as important as competing on price.

“We are riggers, movers and installers of industrial plants and equipment serving the Tri-state area. Projects range from single machines to complete facility relocations.

Let Hoffman Do Your Heavy Lifting.”

- Art Hammond

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Get Involved Today!

Follow ERMP on Facebook and LinkedIn Contact J. Diane Karlin, ERMP project manager, for more information at dkarlin@tpma-inc.com or 330/501-0081.

Committed to a Strong Manufacturing Future

By Championing Solutions The Erie Regional Manufacturer Partnership (ERMP) is an industry-led partnership dedicated to ensuring that manufacturing remains a strong contributor to the regional economy.

ERMP was formed in 2014 by a group of 20 local manufacturers to develop and implement a plan to identify, qualify and recruit individuals for manufacturing jobs today and in the future.

ERMP founding companies put financial “skin in the game” and led the collaborative approach among manufacturers, educators, workforce development professionals and other leaders to align efforts and champion solutions.

In October 2015, ERMP held a Workforce Summit that brought together 200 stakeholders to address the declining pipeline of skilled workers. The ideas generated from the Summit enabled ERMP to finalize a strategic action plan.

The first two priorities identified were: • Manufacturing Readiness with the goal of identifying common tools and processes to determine an individual’s “fit” for manufacturing careers and provide

Visit www.industryneedsyou. com/about-us/ermp/.

George Currie, president and chair of ERMP and executive vice president of Erie Press Systems

CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E

guidance into the appropriate entry point along the career pathway • Work-Based Learning focusing on providing a higher-quality workforce to businesses, including highly credentialed and certified workers through internships, co-ops and apprenticeships As a notable early success, ERMP led the development of the Greater Oh-Penn Manufacturing Apprenticeship Network and secured a $2.99 million Department of Labor American Apprenticeship Initiative Grant to increase manufacturers’ ability to meet their needs for highly skilled and credentialed employees. More specifically, the grant calls for 300 apprentices to be registered by the end of the grant period.

The grant includes employer reimbursements to help offset training costs and innovative programs to help manufacturers develop apprenticeship programs that work best for their unique needs.

Registered apprenticeship programs benefit

employers by: helping to recruit and develop a highly skilled workforce, improving productivity, boosting employee retention, creating industrydriven and flexible training solutions, and increasing product improvement via a highlytrained workforce.

ERMP is also focusing efforts on: • Building a collaborative system • Rebranding the image of manufacturing Recognizing that membership is critical to sustainability and growth, ERMP has opened up membership to a wider group of manufacturers, educators, workforce and economic development professionals, government officials, and other community leaders.

ERMP Membership Benefits: • Creating a single, powerful voice influencing education and training • Decreasing recruitment and training costs • Improving perceptions about careers in manufacturing • Providing an ongoing forum for information sharing and strategic discussion • Maximizing funding for workforce development and training While there is much work to be done, ERMP is committed to addressing these challenges.

“These partnerships can allow for more opportunity to leverage government and community assets in a cohesive way,” said Jim Rutkowski, Jr., Industrial Sales & Manufacturing Inc. general manager and treasurer and ERMP vice chair. “With this collective force, we can enhance our community’s world class workforce to bring more business to our community.”

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

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OCTOBER 5, 2016

MANUFACTURING DAY SUPPORTERS AINSWORTH PET NUTRITION Address: 18746 Mill Street Meadville, PA 16335 Phone: 1-800-219-2558 Website: ainsworthpets.com A fifth generation, primarily family-owned and operated pet food manufacturing company.

INDUSTRIAL SALES & MANUFACTURING Address: 2909 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505 Phone: 814/833-9876 Website: www.ismerie.com Quality contract machining, fabrication and assembly for OEMS since 1967.

LORD CORPORATION Address: 2455 Robison Road West Erie, PA 16509 Phone: 814/868-3180 Website: www.lord.com A diversified technology and manufacturing company developing highly reliable adhesives, coatings, motion management devices, and sensing technologies that significantly reduce risk and improve product performance. For more than 90 years, LORD Corporation has worked in collaboration with its customers to provide innovative aerospace, defense, automotive and industrial solutions.

AMERICAN TURNED PRODUCTS Address: 7626 Klier Drive Fairview, PA 16415 Phone: 814/474-4200 Website: www.atpteam.com Specializes in contract precision machining of high-volume complex parts for the automotive industry.

CUSTOM ENGINEERING COMPANY Address: 2800 McClelland Avenue Erie, PA 16510 Phone: 814/898-2800 Website: www.customeng.com Custom is a leading supplier of heavy fabrication, machining and assembly of large weldments to a wide variety of world-class companies.

DNP IMAGINGCOMM AMERICA CORPORATION Address:1001 Technology Drive Mount Pleasant, PA 15666 Phone: 1-888-569-7222 Website: am.dnpribbons.com One of the largest printing/coating technologies companies in the world.

EASTERN ALLIANCE INSURANCE GROUP A subsidiary of ProAssurance (NYSE:PRA) Address: 25 Race Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603 Phone: 855-533-3444 Website: eains.com A best-in-class provider of workers’ compensation products and services.

GANNON UNIVERSITY Address: 109 University Sq. Erie, PA 16541 Phone: 814/871-7407 Website: www.gannon.edu Private, co-educational Catholic university offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and certificates.

HOWARD INDUSTRIES Address: 6400 Howard Drive Fairview, PA 16415 Phone: 814/833-7000 Website: www.howardindustries.com Leading experts in exterior and interior architectural signage planning, design, manufacturing and installation for colleges/universities, banks, hospitals and senior living facilities.

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OCTOBER 2016 • mbabizmag.com

MacDonald Illig A T T O R N E Y S

MACDONALD ILLIG JONES & BRITTON Address: 100 State Street, Suite 700 Erie, PA 16507 Phone: 814/870-7600 Website: www.MacDonaldIllig.com MacDonald Illig provides legal counsel to manufacturing and business clients.

MATRIC GROUP Address: 2099 Hill City Road Seneca, PA 16346 Phone: 814/677-0716 Website: www.matric.com Provides electronic contract manufacturing services, contract design, cable and electro-mechanical assemblies.

MCINNES ROLLED RINGS Address: 1533 East 12th Street Erie, PA 16511 Phone: 814/459-4495 Website: www.mcinnesrolledrings.com Manufactures seamless rolled ring forgings in carbon, alloy and stainless steel.

MICRO MOLD CO., INC. Address: 4820 Pittsburgh Avenue Erie, PA 16509 Phone: 814/838-3404 Website: www.micromolderie.com Provides custom mold design and fabrication services along with plastics engineering support services to the medical device and electronics industries.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION Address: 1100 State Street Erie, PA 16501 Phone: 814/871-8200 Website: www.natfuel.com Sells or transports natural gas to more than 740,000 customers through a local distribution system located in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.

2016 Manufacturing Day – one of the largest manufacturing celebrations in America – will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie. In conjunction with TechFest, the event is presented by the Manufacturer & Business Association, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Northwestern PA Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association, Advanced Diversified Manufacturing Industry Partnership and Career Street, along with more than 25 area sponsors. Thank you for your support!

PORRECO COLLEGE OF EDINBORO UNIVERSITY Address: 2951 West 38th Street Erie, PA 16506 Phone: 814/836-1955 Website: porreco.edinboro.edu Porreco College offers career-ready education at true Community College rates.

NORTHWEST Address: 800 State Street Erie, PA 16501 Phone: 814/461-6999 Website: www.northwest.com Experts in all business banking products.

NORTHWEST INDUSTRIAL RESOURCE CENTER (NWIRC) Address: 5340 Fryling Road, Suite 202 Erie, PA 16510 Phone: 814/898-6893 Website: nwirc.org The NWIRC enhances the competitiveness and growth of small- and medium-sized manufacturers in northwest Pennsylvania by working with clients to improve productivity and technological performance.

PSB INDUSTRIES INC. Address: 1201 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16501 Phone: 814/453-3651 Website: psbindustries.com Specializes in the Design and Fabrication of compressed air, gas, and liquid dehydration and purification systems.

REDDOG INDUSTRIES, INC. Address: 2012 East 33rd Street Erie, PA 16510 Phone: 814/898-4321 Website: www.reddog-erie.com Manufacturing capabilities include design & manufacturing of highpressure plastic injection molds; aluminum & zinc die-cast dies and specialized machining.

NORTHWESTERN PA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL TOOLING AND MACHINING ASSOCIATION Address: P.O. Box 203 Meadville, PA 16335 Phone: 814/720-0094 Website: nwpa-ntma.com NWPA NTMA is a trade association focused on promoting the advancement of excellence in precision custom manufacturing through cooperation between members, educators, associated organizations, and government in the regions served.

REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY Address: 1738 West 20th Street Erie, PA 16502 Phone: 814/455-8023 Website: rehrigpacific.com Manufactures recycle bins, milk crates, and dairy crates, to name a few.

PENN-ELKCO SPRING COMPANY Address: 1017 Delaum Road St. Marys, PA 15857 Phone: 814/834-4304 Website: pespring.com Penn-Elkco is a leading manufacturer of compression springs, extension springs, torsion springs, continuous length springs, wire forms, four-slide machining and metal stampings, since 1956.

RIDG-U-RAK, INC. Address: 120 South Lake Street North East, PA 16428 Phone: 814/725-8751 Website: www.ridgurak.com Designs and manufactures a full array of storage rack solutions.

PENN STATE BEHREND Address: 4701 College Drive Erie, PA 16563 Phone: 814/898-6000 Website: behrend.psu.edu Penn State Behrend offers more than 40 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s and associate degree levels; a range of minors and certificates; education and training programs for business, industry, and community organizations; and numerous outreach programs for area youth and adults.

WELDERS SUPPLY COMPANY Address: 1628 Cascade Street Erie, PA 16502 Phone: 814/454-1563 Website: www.wscrc.com Northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York’s leader in the supply of medical, industrial gasses and welding supplies to the manufacturing, construction, health care and laboratory industries.

PHB INCORPORATED Address: 7900 West Ridge Road Fairview, PA 16415 Phone: 814/474-5511 Website: www.phbcorp.com Manufacturing capabilities include zinc die casting, aluminum die casting, machining, plastic and rubber molding, tool & die, injection molding and product assembly.

WIDGET FINANCIAL Address: 2154 East Lake Road Erie, PA 16511 Phone: 814/456-6231 Website: www.widgetfinancial.com A not-for-profit credit union - geared to enrich lives throughout the Erie region.

PLASTIKOS, INC. Address: 8165 Hawthorne Drive Erie, PA 16509 Phone: 814/868-1656 Website: www.plastikoserie.com Provides custom precision injection molding services along with plastics engineering support services to the medical and electronics industries.

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Judy Rosatti Manufacturer & Business Association EnergyAdvisors Phone: 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660 Fax: 814/833-4844 Direct Phone: 814/314-1933 jrosatti@mbausa.org

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© 2016 Citizens Financial Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Citizens Commercial Banking is a brand name of Citizens Bank, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. Member FDIC. CMAV4086L_515068

2016 MANUFACTURING DAY

presents...

“There’s other ways to learn and to actually go out and be successful in this world.

It’s not always within a conventional path.”

— Easton LaChappelle

OCTOBER 5, 2016

INSPIRATIONAL INVENTOR EASTON LACHAPPELLE

When you think of America’s greatest inventors, the names Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison come to mind. Their discoveries and inventions have made a profound impact on society and technology as we know it.

As Edison so famously said, “I found out what the world needs.

Then I go ahead and try to invent it.”

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OCTOBER 2016 • mbabizmag.com

Fast forward to today, and 20-year-old Easton LaChappelle is doing just that. As founder of Unlimited Tomorrow with partner Tony Robbins, the inspirational inventor has caught the attention of the world with his revolutionary technology — advancing 3D printing robotic arms for the use of prosthetics. His story is not only about innovation and technology, but also what is possible when you put your mind to it — especially at such a young age.

Photo courtesy of Theo Stroomer

“What’s amazing is that a young person that is 18 can actually start a company and launch their idea and really take things to the next level,” says LaChappelle, during an interview with the Manufacturer & Business Association’s Business Magazine in advance of his keynote address at the Manufacturing Day celebration on October 5 in Erie. “I travel all over the world now, and I love talking to kids because there’s more opportunities at your fingertips that you can go out and find your passion and really run with things. There’s very little bounds with that, and there’s so many resources to do what you actually want to do.”

The Colorado native has been taking apart things since he was a child, tinkering with anything he could put his hands on.

“I was one of those kids that took apart everything I got when I was little. Every toy or every appliance that stopped working, I would just rip apart,” says LaChappelle.

“Once it got into a real, actual advanced project, it’s not just taking things apart, it’s actually putting things back together and making them work. That was an interesting part.”

Growing up in Mancos, a small town of about 1,000 people, LaChappelle didn’t have a ton of resources for research and development, so he turned to the Internet and taught himself programming, electronics and 3D modeling.

“I was always looking for ways to learn more than just what’s offered,” he explains. “That’s really when I turned to the Internet and found there’s so much information and resources.”

At 14, he says, he created his first robotic hand out of LEGOs, fishing wire and electrical tubing. With gradual improvement, the hand turned into an arm and advanced to a 3D-printed brain-powered invention that he could operate with his mind.

However, it wasn’t until an encounter with a 7-year-old girl at a science fair whose prosthetic arm cost $80,000 that LaChappelle was inspired to turn his prototype into a practical and affordable device.

“I noticed a small girl come up and kind of caught my attention because she was really focused on some of these smaller details,” he says. “Then, I noticed her parents were standing behind her. I started talking to them and realized she had a prosthetic limb. It was a very basic prosthetic where it was essentially kind of a human-like cloth.

It was just like a small hand that could open and close. There was no individual finger movement, and it was pretty much one

motion. It also had one sensor to be able to control and work the muscles.”

As he talked with the girl’s parents, LaChappelle describes his “aha” moment. He knew he could make a more functional and affordable option for her and others.

“Pretty much after that it went back to the drawing board and that was at the time where I had started getting a 3D printer,” he says.

“I got my first 3D printer when I was 16 from a kickstarter project. I got it for a birthday present from my parents where I split half of the cost. It was a big thing.”

So LaChappelle taught himself robotics and combined open-source designs with 3D printing to create a completely functional prosthetic arm. The prototype cost just $350 to produce; it’s also open-sourced — which means that the design can be downloaded by anyone online, free of charge.

Since then, LaChappelle has become a rockstar in the robotics world. He has traveled the globe spreading the message that you can learn outside of the education system giving a TED talk and meeting the president at the White House Science Fair. He’s even worked at NASA on the Robonaut project, developing a new telerobotic interface.

As fate would have it, it was following his TED Talk in 2013 that LaChappelle was approached by motivational speaker Tony Robbins. “He helps people all around the world psychologically, and he was looking for a way to go further and help them physically,” says LaChappelle. “That’s where the prosthetics and some other medical devices that could help people regain the ability to walk and stuff like that, really started to come to life.”

At 18, Easton founded Unlimited Tomorrow with Robbins, which is advancing 3D-printed robotic arms for the use of prosthetics.

Robbins provided the capital to get the company out of LaChappelle’s parent’s home to a small garage and now a 3,500-square foot-building in Durango, Colorado.

Unlimited Tomorrow’s goal is to try and help everybody who is missing a limb regain their independence and be able to have technology that’s acceptable, but also functional and low cost.

“It’s moving up in the world. We have windows now so that’s good. It’s a really cool place,” LaChappelle says. “Currently, we have about eight 3D printers. We have a big fancy machine. We have shop, as well as office and so there’s a lot of things going on,” he says.

“Unlimited Tomrrow is growing more and more pretty much every day.”

The company recently partnered with Microsoft and Stratasys — using video game software that scans people easily and effectively in an effort to potentially 3D print an exact copy of their arm. The company is also working with several nonprofits to secure a new robotic prosthetic for a girl in Florida very soon.

“Really what it comes down to is you have to have the technology and ability to scale this properly, as well as the business side of operating within the medical guidelines,” he says. “It’s just a lot of other things that kind of had to happen to be able to really make that the reality of the robotic prosthetic.”

At 20, Easton is also busy with his other business Impyrium, which focuses on industrial control systems that help make heavy machinery and advanced robotics work better with the operator. LaChappelle’s technology is now being used similar to joystick systems to control heavy equipment, as well as in advanced robotics for cranes and mining equipment to full robotic systems for the government that have a tremendous amount of movement.

“With Impyrium on the industrial side, I’ve been developing new products for that and all sorts of different, really cool things that the business is growing pretty fast,” says LaChappelle. “The big goal is that that’s an enabler for the future.”

If anyone can do it, LaChappelle and his team seem to have the drive and determination to make it happen.

“Some people may go through life and never find a passion but they find things that they enjoy. Some people like me, I was fortunate enough to find something I really loved doing when I was really young. I was able to take advantage of that and find ways,” LaChappelle says. “Really what it comes down to is the educational system; there’s other ways to learn and to actually go out and be successful in this world. It’s not always within a conventional path. If there is an opportunity, you can make so much of these opportunities by using the Internet and making a name for yourself and being able to take one thing and turn it into another.

“Hopefully along the way you can impact someone’s life through that, whether it’s creating a new product or creating technology or helping people communicate better,“ he continues. “There’s so many examples that everybody can find that rewarding side of whatever they do.”

For more information about Easton LaChappelle or Unlimited Tomorrow, visit www.unlimitedtomorrow.com. mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

51

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

ELECTION 2016:

WHY YOUR VOTE COUNTS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL The 2016 elections are going to be historic for many reasons, both at the state and federal level. The Keystone State is a pivotal and essential part of the election map and is considered a battleground state, and every vote counts. This election year is not just about the candidates and their platforms and promises, but more importantly, the future of manufacturing and business.

Presidential election years historically bring more voters to the polls. The primaries and conventions are over, and we now know the Party choices for president — Democratic nominee Hilary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump. Everyone is well aware of the presidential race and its historic importance, but there are issues equally important to consider when casting your vote — the corporate tax structure, immigration and border control, federal regulations, the war on coal and other industries, banking and lending issues, job creation, education and skilled labor, and most importantly, the make-up of the Supreme Court.

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OCTOBER 2016 • mbabizmag.com

The next president could name three, four, or more justices that could set the direction of the Court for a generation. The issues decided by the Supreme Court have a direct impact on America’s companies and the economy. For example, cases dealing with the Americans with Disabilities Act, patent protection, class action litigation targeting business, corporate property rights, employment law and the Affordable Care Act are just some examples of how the Court’s decisions affect business. The presidential election will definitely impact the future of the Supreme Court and its decisions rendered.

Regulatory Issues

Federal regulations and over-reaching regulations are a huge burden on businesses across the country and in Pennsylvania. The next president will appoint the secretaries of every agency in the federal government. Those agencies make regulations based on the administration’s viewpoints and ideologies.

In addition, Congress makes laws that require the regulatory process to jump into action. It is important to know where a candidate stands on the regulatory issues.

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, states, “Our economy has been underperforming for years due, in part, to the avalanche of heavy-handed regulations levied by the Obama administration. During my time in the Senate, I have prioritized cutting excess red tape and pushing back on particularly egregious regulatory overreaches.”

While incumbent Toomey and his opponent, Democrat Katie McGinty, have very different platforms and vary on their approach to business issues, both agree on reducing regulations and additional burdens on business. McGinty, however, has favored a minimum wage hike, saying, “As senator, I will fight to bring home good paying jobs and advance policies that enable families to get ahead. That’s why I support boosting the minimum wage to $15 an hour.”

Taxes

Reforming the tax code is an issue that has been discussed by both presidential candidates but brought to the forefront by Donald Trump. This issue affects businesses both globally and domestically and has far-reaching consequences. The corporate tax system is so complicated and contains the highest rate in the world. As a result, some American companies have resorted to relocating to countries that have more favorable tax rates. Lowering the corporate tax rate and streamlining the tax code will enable American companies to be more competitive, both domestically and globally and would encourage companies to open and relocate to the United States, and Pennsylvania. These kinds of reforms are necessary and would enable small businesses to devote more resources to expanding and growing their workforces, as opposed to navigating the burdensome tax code.

Wiley’s opponent, Republican candidate Dan Laughlin, says that the low economic business state in Pennsylvania is due to the over taxation and overregulation. “We now have two economies in Pennsylvania: One for the private sector, and the other for our government. The problem is that government derives its revenue from its citizens and businesses, and feels little constraint when it comes to spending. We must recognize the connection between state spending and the burden this places on the private sectors that generate revenue.

The races in Pennsylvania are just as important as those at the federal level. It is crucial for PA businesses to pay attention to the races within the state as the candidates widely vary on their approach to business issues such as regulations, taxes, and health care and the general economic status of the state.

In many surveys, overregulation is one area that businesses cite as a top reason they are struggling and why many new businesses fail in Pennsylvania. While some steps have been taken with the administration to cut through the red tape, other agencies like the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection continue to promulgate destructive regulations that would put many PA businesses out of business, even after being directed to halt efforts. Laughlin states that burdensome and unnecessary regulation is the companion to overtaxation. “EPA regulations currently force our manufacturers to ship jobs to China, where companies use coal for power, and then make the products we should be manufacturing on our own soil. The result: American jobs are lost to a place where coal is burned with no regulations at all,” he says.

Pennsylvania is not known for being a business-friendly state. Taxes are high, the corporate tax structure is antiquated and regulations are burdensome. We have been warned that next year’s budget will not be able to be balanced without huge tax increases, both personal and business.

State Senator Sean Wiley, D-49th District, has an optimistic outlook on the economic state of the Commonwealth, but he supports an additional severance tax on Marcellus Shale drilling to strike economic balance. “I have long advocated for a severance tax on Marcellus Shale drilling in the Commonwealth and will continue to work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help make this a reality in Pennsylvania,” he says. “Granted, early projections of just how much revenue this would generate are no longer accurate as the market has seen a decline, but there is yet an opportunity to relieve some of the burden from the taxpayer in this regard.”

“I am flat-out opposed to any tax increases,” he says. “We don’t have a revenue problem.

We have a spending problem. And you don’t cure a spending problem by spending more.”

“This Commonwealth is indeed open for business and has begun to work collectively between and within all levels government and industry to find that sought-after common ground. Regulations serve as a necessary way to ensure certain protections, but cannot go so far as to cause impediment to progress effective government understands and encourages that balance,” says Wiley. “This Administration appears receptive to ongoing conversations with business and industry about what is necessary to move away from once-strangling regulation and prevent possible overregulation moving forward as we’ve seen pro-business policies come out of those dialogues.”

The issues that face businesses — from state and federal taxes and regulations to health care and skilled labor are important and will be a part of the 2016 election discussions.

Every issue affects how businesses are run and whether they succeed or fail. Before going to the polls, make sure that every candidate has answered your questions to the fullest and is worthy of your vote.

“Republicans have taken initial steps in pushing back against these excessive regulations since regaining majority control of the Senate in 2015.

I have been deeply troubled by the various power grabs initiated by the EPA in recent years. To that end, I have fought for Pennsylvania’s energy sector and workers by pushing back against the ‘War on Coal.’

“I have repeatedly proposed tax reform in my budgets and as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over the tax code.

I look forward to pursuing legislative options which pursue these worthy goals.”

— Pat Toomey, Republican incumbent for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania “Having worked in both government and the private sector, I understand how important it is to cut through red tape that puts our businesses at a disadvantage. In the Senate, I will look for commonsense ways to cut down on regulation to help businesses thrive here in Pennsylvania.

“In the Senate, I will be a leading voice for strengthening our clean energy economy by investing in renewable energy and innovative infrastructure technology, while cutting carbon emissions and lowering energy costs.”

— Katie McGinty, Democratic challenger for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania “I have long maintained that government doesn’t create jobs – the private sector creates jobs when there is an atmosphere of economic growth spurred by government. As small businesses remain the backbone of the Pennsylvania economy, supporting their creating and growth through innovation is key to the success of those companies and to the larger economy of the Commonwealth.”

— Sean Wiley, Democratic incumbent for Pennsylvania’s 49th Senate District

“Rather than constantly looking for ways to increase revenue, I would spend my time looking for ways to reduce spending so business could once again flourish in Pennsylvania, restoring Pennsylvania to a manufacturing powerhouse and state of opportunity. Raising taxes on the private sector is like spraying Round Up on jobs!”

— Dan Laughlin, Republican challenger for Pennsylvania’s 49th Senate District

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

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ASSOCIATION SERVICES

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MBA HR & LEGAL SERVICES -

THE REGION’S LEADING RESOURCE FOR HR SUPPORT The business world is constantly changing and so, too, are the demands placed on HR. Today, companies can find themselves overwhelmed with changing needs of the workforce while managing employee hiring, administering benefits and processing payroll. Navigating the sea of regulatory alphabet soup — ACA, ERISA, COBRA and FMLA, for instance — can pose even more challenges for their Human Resource department, but especially for small employers with limited personnel.

“The regulatory environment has become increasingly burdensome for small businesses. Often, they need an added level of expertise to ensure they are in compliance, and we can help,” says Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) HR Services Director Stacey Bruce, SPHR, SHRM-SCP. “We ensure that our members comply with the federal and state employment laws. We can assist them with wage-and-hour laws.

We can talk with them about job description development, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updates — all of those compliances and all the changing employment laws, especially the Affordable Care Act. Between our department and the Insurance Division, that’s one of the many areas in which we excel.”

The MBA provides member companies with the guidance, direction and best practices in HR and compliance. From employee handbooks, professional development training, surveys and performance evaluations to recruiting assistance, the MBA’s HR & Legal Services Division is the region’s leading resource for HR support.

“Whether it is part-time HR, writing an Affirmative Action Plan, developing an employee handbook, conducting background checks or answering a hotline call, we can provide the HR assistance that employers need so they can focus on their

day-to-day operations and get back to running their business,” Bruce explains.

The MBA has a team of HR experts — the majority of whom are PHR/SPHR certified — as well as a staff employment law attorney to assist member companies with their HR and legal needs. At the MBA, these professionals have nearly 70 years of combined experience working with employers from a variety of industries and sizes, from 10 employees to more than 200.

“Whether it’s for a restaurant, manufacturing company or nonprofit organization, the MBA’s professionals have the HR knowledge and experience to get these companies the answers they need,” says Bruce. “All they have to do is call.”

those laws that are always changing to ensure that their businesses are compliant,” Bruce says. “By bringing us in as experts, it frees up their in-house HR professionals to concentrate on strategic matters and growth.”

Typically, a company will turn to the MBA when they need someone for recruitment or part-time HR. But the MBA HR Services Division also can help assess where it can improve its HR function.

“We go into the organization and look at what they’re doing right now as far as in the HR areas to see what the critical areas are that they need to focus on or where they need more attention,” explains Bruce. “That’s how we start the process to outline where we need to focus and how much time they may

Just a Phone Call Away

The MBA’s free HR/Legal Hotline is one of the many ways that member companies can benefit from the Association valueadded programs. The hotline receives approximately 1,500 calls a year, and there is no limit on the number of calls that a member can make.

“The HR/Legal Hotline is an invaluable tool for our members,” explains Tammy LamaryToman, JD, PHR, SHRM-CP, vice president and employment counsel for the Association.

“We are able to offer confidential and personalized attention on a variety of employment situations unique to their organization.”

In addition to the volume of calls being received by the MBA, demand for the HR Services Division’s Part-Time HR Support Service (also known as HR Advantage) has grown exponentially in the past two years. Many of the clients are smaller to midsize companies that utilize the service and need assistance navigating complex compliance issues.

“The smaller companies especially want someone that has the expertise to handle

MBA HR & Legal Service Team Tammy Lamary-Toman, JD, PHR, SHRM-CP is vice president and employment counsel for the Manufacturer & Business Association’s Legal Services Division.

Stacey Bruce, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is the director of Human Resource Services at the Manufacturer & Business Association.

Rose Bruno, PHR, SHRM-CP is a PHR-certified HR generalist at the Manufacturer & Business Association.

Robyn Hopper is a HR specialist at the Manufacturer & Business Association.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

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At Mercyhurst University, we believe higher education is best served through strong leadership, dedicated faculty and staff, and data-driven strategies to support an inquisitive and passionate student community. As we look forward to ever-expanding academic opportunities and cutting-edge innovations, we celebrate these achievements in the Mercyhurst community during this past year: • • • • • •

The largest and most academically accomplished freshman class in our 90-year history.

A record-setting fundraising year that saw $6.57 million in contributions.

Campus renovations, including a multimillion-dollar dining hall remodel and renovations to the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

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need us. If they decide they want to hire a full-time person, then we can help with the recruiting process. We recruit in other areas and all levels of positions.”

Certification and Training

In the area of training and development, the MBA’s HR Essential Certification Series can be invaluable to a company’s HR role.

The series covers such topics as hiring and interviewing, terminations, harassment, and compensation and benefits, just to name a few. For those who want to further their HR certification, the MBA can help professionals get or maintain their PHR, SPHR or GPHR certification; it also provides a PHR/ SPHR study course, as well as an annual conference specifically for HR professionals in the region.

This year, the fourth annual HR and Employment Law Conference is planned for October 21 at the MBA’s Conference Center in Erie. The daylong conference, which qualifies for 5.75 PHR/SPHR credits, will focus on generational differences, workplace wellness and employment law updates. Keynote speaker Scott Warrick, JD, MLHR, CEQC, SPHR-SCP will present on “7 Myths and 7 Skills of Strategic HR,” including the tactical aspects, or nuts and bolts, and the strategic partner role that makes human resources invaluable to any organization.

According to Bruce, “We wanted to focus on strategic HR because there’s always been this perception of HR as administrative, but this is how it takes the organization to the next level. The strategic partner role can be anything from professional planning and leadership development to profitization – examining benefits and being part of the whole process with developing the structure within the organization.”

More Value-Added Resources

One of the recent trends in HR Services has been for employers to offer financial literacy programs as an employee benefit.

Earlier this year, the MBA joined forces with SmartDollar to introduce a new employee benefit for MBA members.

Created by financial expert Dave Ramsey, SmartDollar is a financial wellness tool that educates, inspires and empowers employees to proactively take control of their money and get on track for retirement.

The mission of SmartDollar is to help participants change their behavior toward

money and, in turn, use their largest wealthbuilding tool, their income, to save and invest instead of paying consumer debt.

“We want employers to get involved in that and recognize those issues do affect the workplace,” says Bruce. “Employers need to be aware of the advantages it can mean for them and their employees.”

To keep abreast of such timely programs and other information, the MBA HR Services Division offers free legal and HR briefings and webinars, as well as a monthly roundtable, a highly interactive discussion group of employers and HR professionals that meets to discuss the latest legal issues that could have a big impact on their businesses. Facilitated by the MBA’s HR professionals, the roundtable offers effective solutions for common and uncommon workplace-related issues. All roundtables are HRCI accredited.

“Our roundtables are a great way for professionals to bounce ideas off of each other and to hear a different topic by a different presenter each month,” Bruce insists.

Employers can also register on www.mbausa.org to receive the MBA’s monthly HR in Review newsletter and read the HR and legal articles published in the MBA Business Magazine to stay up-to-date on the latest HR news and trends.

Additionally, the HR Services Division provides a host of surveys to keep members current on updates in wages and salaries, regional policies and benefits, and shutdowns and vacations. The MBA All-in-One poster program also is available to member companies to stay current with posting requirements, while the automatic poster program offers a stress-free and immediate update on any changes to Pennsylvania or federal posting requirements. The most recent updates to the federal law poster went into effect August 1.

“All these programs and services go back to our goal of being the leading resource for HR services in the region,” says Bruce.

“If you have a question, we can get you the answers guaranteed.”

For more about the Association’s HR & Legal Services, call 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or visit www.mbausa.org.

TESTIMONIALS “The Manufacturer & Business Association membership is a true asset to the Bianchi Honda organization and its management team. In addition to their many webinars, onsite training and educational programs, their HR & Legal Services and hotline is most impressive. You can be in the middle of a personnel matter, telephone their office, and someone will be available to quickly review your situation and offer instruction and guidance based on government regulations. This is a truly exceptional benefit to being a member! Most companies have management who are familiar with government regulations, procedures and employment practices, but having someone available to review a particular situation before you proceed is priceless. I highly recommend becoming a member.”

— Denise Benim, Corporate Secretary, Bianchi Honda “We have been using the Manufacturer & Business Association’s Part-Time HR Services for about 12 years now and have found it to be priceless. The professionalism and quality of service are unequaled. We don’t worry about HR issues anymore because we know our questions will be answered in full and within legal standards. Our handbook and our policies are kept up-to-date, and payroll is processed efficiently and correctly every week. We would have to employ at least one full-time person to cover all the areas that the MBA takes care of for us with their Part-Time HR Services.”

— Dan Ignasiak, President, Sepco-Erie “As the CEOs of Robert Benjamin Wiley Community Charter School, we understand the many challenges schools face in today’s tough economy. For the past three years, the Manufacturer & Business Association has provided us with quality human resource support through their HR Advantage program.

They provide us with all types of invaluable HR assistance whenever we need it. Having access to talented experts is essential to ensure best practices and legal compliance.

HR Advantage is a service offered by the MBA that has helped the R.B. Wiley Community Charter School continue to carry out our mission to develop responsible citizens who are prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow.”

— Kathryn Olds, CEO, Principal and Peter J. Russo, CEO R.B. Wiley Community Charter School

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

63

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MBA LEADERSHIP

2016-2017

MANUFACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

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Executive Committee

Chairman Donald Hester, President and Chief Executive Officer MAJR Products

Vice Chairman Harry Eighmy, Chief Operating Officer American Turned Products

Treasurer Phil Katen, President and General Manager Plastikos, Inc.

Board Members

Andrew Foyle, President H&H Machined Products Co.

Bruce Kern II, President Curtze Food Service

Secretary Mark Rose, Director of Aerospace, Operations & Supply Chain LORD Corporation

Nonmanufacturing Rep Jeff Plyler, Ex-Officio President Plyler Enterprises

Greg Sbrocco, General Manager, Global Supply Chain - Services GE Transportation

Mike Weber, President Smith Provision

Scott Bonnell, Owner Bonnell’s Collision Center

Mike Mankosa, Executive Vice President – Global Technology Eriez Magnetics

Immediate Past Chairman William Hilbert Jr., President Reddog Industries

New Board Members

Message from the Immediate Past Chairman

Steve Jones, President Ron Jones Hardwood Sales, Inc.

As immediate past chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) Board of Governors, it has been my honor and privilege to work with such a dedicated group of individuals who so passionately believe in the Association’s core mission — to help businesses succeed.

To my fellow Board members, thank you for your inspiring leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of a grateful membership. Because of all of you, the Association continues to be a recognized leader in professional training and development and an unparalleled resource for the thousands of employers that represent our dynamic and diverse membership.

To the MBA’s professional staff, thank you for your commitment and dedication to make our programs and services both a value-added benefit and success. Your work, often behind the scenes, is the heart of all we do.

I also want to take a moment to wish my sincere congratulations to 2016-2017 Chairman Don Hester, president and chief executive officer of MAJR Products, as well as the rest of the Executive Committee — Harry Eighmy, Phil Katen, Mark Rose and Jeff Plyler — on their appointments this year.

I wish you, Board members Andy Foyle, Bruce Kern, Greg Sbrocco, Mike Weber and new Board members Scott Bonnell, Mike Mankosa and Steve Jones the best of luck in the year ahead.

Finally, I want to thank you, our members, for your faithful support of the Manufacturer & Business Association. As always, we appreciate your trust and will continue to do our best to give you the kind of service you deserve.

Sincerely,

William Hilbert Jr., Immediate Past Chairman of the MBA Board of Governors and president of Reddog Industries

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

67

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PROFESSIONAL STAFF

2016-2017 MANUFACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Front row, from left: Bea Blenner, Robyn Hopper, Amy Pontillo, Christine DiLuzio and Judy Rosatti.

Second row, from left: Tammy Polanski, Pam Durst, Melissa Damico, Terry Nunez, Rose Bruno, Patty Welther and Christine DeSantis.

Third row, from left: Tammy Lamary-Toman, Ann Miaczynski, Casey Naylon, Stacey Bruce, Sarah Vincent, Laurie Mattis, Lisa DeFilippo, Dianne Wodarski, Lori Joint and Karen Learn.

Back row, from left: Karen Torres, Angela Zaydon, Ralph Pontillo, Brad Phillips, Ryan Murphy, Tracy Daggett, David Thornburg, John Krahe and Norm Zymm.

DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE BEST QUALITY, VALUE AND SERVICE At the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA), our professional staff is dedicated to helping employers face challenges by delivering services that lower the cost of doing business, ease the burden of compliance and increase productivity for our members.

We accomplish this mission by providing exclusive, valued-added services that can help businesses navigate ever-changing federal and state laws, and can provide them with the training to take their workforce to the next level.

From comprehensive HR and legal support, exclusive HR services and products, professional development and computer training, competitive group insurance, expert logistics services, reduced energy costs, premium meeting space and timely legislative information, as well as thought-provoking business news, the MBA provides access to the resources that employers in our membership region want and need.

The MBA also offers members exciting and dynamic networking and educational opportunities, including the annual Manufacturing Day celebration — recognized as one of the largest in the country — monthly Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefings, legislative luncheons and the highly anticipated Annual Event, which features some of the top business leaders, politicians and journalists in the world today. The MBA and its professional staff seek to provide our members with a plethora of opportunities that will excite and engage them, allow them to share ideas and introduce them to new strategies that will help their businesses grow.

On behalf of the Manufacturer & Business Association professional staff, thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!

To fully appreciate the many benefits of an MBA membership and to see all of the resources that are available to MBA members, please visit www.mbausa.org.

mbabizmag.com • OCTOBER 2016

71

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IN MEMORIAM

ASSOCIATION REMEMBERS INFLUENTIAL BUSINESSMEN, COMMUNITY LEADERS The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) was deeply saddened by the passing of influential businessmen and community leaders John Masterson and Louis J. Porreco this past year.

Masterson passed away on June 6, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 61.

A native of Erie, Masterson spent his entire career in the financial services industry, starting in Warren, Pennsylvania. He was a Wealth Management adviser with Merrill Lynch and also served as the resident director of the Erie office.

Merrill Lynch awarded him the prestigious David Brady Award in 2014, which acknowledges an employee who continually enhances the lives of their colleagues, clients, and the communities in which they serve.

Masterson was considered by many to be a true champion for the Erie community and dedicated his time, talent and leadership skills to many organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Erie County, acting as chairman of the Board in 2008 and 2009. He also was a member of the Mercyhurst University Board of Trustees, Erie Arts & Culture, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, and the French Creek Council of Boy Scouts. He previously served on the Fairview School Board, the Erie Regional Library Foundation, Junior Achievement, and Kiaros Prison Ministry. He also will be remembered as the founding member and the first Trustee Committee Chair for the American Cancer Society Erie Golf Premier Tournament.

Porreco too was a well-respected business and community leader and native of Erie. His legacy was honored during the Association’s 2015 Annual Event, shortly after his passing on May 3, 2015, in Palm Beach, Florida. He was 78.

A graduate of East High School who attended Western Reserve University and then Gannon College, Porreco served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division from 1955-1958. He was manager of the Tourist and Convention Bureau and director of Public Relations for the Greater Erie Chamber of Commerce.

Porreco was extremely entrepreneurial, owning a wide and diverse range of businesses. He formed the Rad-Safe Fallout Shelter Co. He formed the Canadian Holiday Lines Steamship Co. in 1962, and purchased and operated the largest passenger ship on the Great Lakes, the S.S. North American. He also was regional director for the John B. Rogan Producing Co, as well as vice president of the Mrs. America Pageant. In 1965, he became an auto dealer, owning and operating more than 20 different franchises in South Florida and northwest Pennsylvania, including Porreco Nissan and Bianchi Honda in Erie. In addition to serving as a past president of the Erie County Auto Dealers Association, he organized and produced Erie County’s first Auto Show in 1970.

As a community leader, he was a leader on multiple boards and civic organization. Porreco served as a board member and twice as president of the Erie Municipal Airport Authority. He was confirmed by the Board of Directors of the Erie Regional Airport Authority as its president emeritus in 2009, and, in 2013, he was honored for his leadership role in the successful completion of the runway extension project — the largest capital project in the 60-year history of the airport. He was a Gannon University trustee, promoter of regional sports, founding the Gannon University Porreco Cup Basketball Tournament in 1974, and the World Bout Championship of Horseshoes in Erie in 1970. He promoted the WBA lightweight championship of the world between Lou Bizzarro Sr. and Roberto Duran and was a prolific manager and promoter of boxing from 1969 to 1985. He also was an active supporter of Commodore Downs racetrack in Fairview, serving as a member of the board of directors. He was inducted into the NWPA Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

One of Porreco’s greatest contributions was in the area of education. Based upon a 1986 handshake with the Edinboro University president, Foster Diebold, he gifted his 27-acre estate home in Millcreek to Edinboro University, to honor the aunt who raised him, Mary A. Porreco, who was a two-time graduate of Edinboro College. That gift became what is now known as the Porreco College of Edinboro University.

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Banking

Banking Name: James F. Stevenson

Name: Kenneth D. Slaney, CPA, CFP

Title: Regional President of PNC Bank, Northwestern Pennsylvania and Market Director for PNC Corporate Banking

Title: Senior Vice President – Fiduciary Market Director for PNC Wealth Management in Northwest Pennsylvania Market

Company: PNC Bank

Company: PNC Bank

Products/Services: Operating primarily in 19 states and the District of Columbia, PNC’s services include retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.

Contact Information: Phone: 1-888-PNC-BANK Address: 901 State Street Erie, PA 16501

pnc.com

Education: Stevenson earned his finance degree from Gannon University and has more than 25 years of Corporate Banking experience.

He joined Marine Bank (predecessor to PNC) through the management development program in 1989. Over the course of his career, he worked as a credit analyst and was promoted to relationship manager for Corporate Banking. He was named regional president in February 2016.

Professional Associations: Member of the Star Foundation Board of Directors, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Finance Committee, United Way of Erie County Resource Development Committee. In addition, served on the United Way of Erie County Board of Directors and coached basketball for Cathedral Prep and Strong Vincent High School.

Awards/Recognitions: Through Stevenson’s leadership, PNC’s Corporate Banking division has experienced consistent business growth throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York state. He is a three-time member of PNC Bank’s Chairman’s Circle.

Products/Services: Slaney directs and oversees the fiduciary function within the Northwest Pennsylvania market, ensuring consistent execution of fiduciary activities within legal and fiduciary regulations, policies and procedures. He is also responsible for executing strategies to deliver the full breadth of the fiduciary platform in order to grow the fiduciary business and assure the highest level of client experience.

Education: Undergraduate degree from Clarion University and MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a certified public accountant and certified financial planner.

Contact Information: Email: Kenneth.slaney@PNC.com Phone: 814/871-9234 or toll-free 888/438-7878 Address: 901 State Street Erie, PA 16501

pnc.com

Name: Gregory Reese

Name: Erin Green

Title: Senior Vice President of Corporate & Institutional Banking

Title: President

Company: PNC Bank

Products/Services Provided: Verify! is a team of trained professionals specializing in the management of commercial-related expenses including phone, Internet, cellular, gas and electric.

Company: Verify Services, LLC

Products/Services Provided: Financial services, including strategic insight and financial solutions for businesses, organizations, municipalities and nonprofits.

Education: BS in marketing/ management from Gannon University

Email: Gregory.Reese@pnc.com Phone: 814/871-8462 or 814/598-3987 (Cell) Address: 901 State Street Erie, PA 16501

pnc.com

Awards/Recognitions: Earned BEST Award for exceptional sales performance and nominated for PNC’s highest Performance Award.

Business Services

Banking

Contact Information:

Professional Associations: President of the Estate Planning Council of Erie; trustee of the Metropolitan Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Erie; former trustee of the North East Community Foundation; volunteer on Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership’s Chamber Committee and the United Way’s Funding and Program Review committee; past president of Community Nursing Services of North East; Executive Committee member of the Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants; graduate of Leadership Erie.

Awards and Recognition: Central Atlantic Advanced School of Banking-Academic Honors, Central Atlantic School of Commercial Lending-Top Honors

Contact Information: Email: erin.green@verifyservices.net Phone: 1-800-400-7180 Address: 706 Turnpike St. Waterford, PA 16441

verifyservices.net

Professional Associations: Founding board member and current secretary of the Innovation Collaborative. Active member of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Small Business Committee, the Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce, and the Pittsburgh Social Exchange.

Current Advanced ATHENA panel coordinator and business mentor at the Erie Technology Incubator.

Awards and Recognition: 2014 ATHENA PowerLink Program recipient, 2016 finalist for Commitment to Erie Business Award for Community Service - 50 or fewer employees, current mentee at the Erie Technology Incubator.

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US – UK – Brazil – Mexico Family Owned since 1956 by the Prischak Family, Plastek is a Global Plastics Manufacturer with locations in Erie, PA – Hamlet, NC – Mansfield, United Kingdom – Indaiatuba Brazil – Queretaro, Mexico. Employing more than 1,700 people worldwide, Plastek manufactures a wide variety of Cosmetics, Laundry Care, Home Care, Personal Care, Food & Beverage and Pharmaceutical Products around the world.

(Front Row): Dennis Prischak – President/CEO, Joseph Prischak - Chairman, Douglas Prischak – VP of Global Tooling & Engineering (Back Row): Daniel Prischak – VP of Manufacturing, Donald Prischak - Sales

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Credit Union

Education Name: Gail J. Cook

Name: H. Fred Walker, Ph.D.

Title: President/Chief Executive Officer

Title: President Institution: Edinboro University (EU) Products/Services Provided: EU, a public regional comprehensive university, provides high-quality undergraduate and graduate education, with special emphasis on addressing regional needs for a well-educated workforce in business, STEM fields, health care, education and other disciplines.

Company: Widget Financial

Contact Information: Email: gcook@widgetfinancial.com Phone: 814/456-6231 Address: 2154 East Lake Road Erie, PA 16511

About: Gail Cook is a dynamic leader with nearly two decades at the helm of Widget Financial, one of the region’s largest credit unions.

She has helped build the former GE Federal Credit Union to its current size of nearly 40,000 memberowners and $300 million in assets.

Her commitment to enriching lives and civic volunteerism remains unsurpassed in her industry and the hallmark of her tenure as CEO. Education: Bachelor of science in business administration and accounting from Mercyhurst University.

Products/Services Provided: Widget Financial offers a full range of banking solutions and is open to the entire community.

WidgetFinancial.com

Email: Jeffrey.Evans@northwest.com

Contact Information: Email: hfwalker@edinboro.edu Phone: 814/732-2711 Address: Office of the President Reeder Hall 219 Meadville St. Edinboro, PA 16444

edinboro.edu

Professional Associations: Member, Foundation Board of Directors, the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE); The American Society for Engineering Education; The Society of Manufacturing Engineers; and American Society for Quality Awards/Recognitions: American Society for Quality’s Rudolph H. Woodward Award, Golden Quill Awards (2), and Outstanding Service Award; RIT Divisions of Academic Affairs and Diversity and Inclusion’s Changing Hearts and Changing Minds Award; American Society of Engineering Education’s Best Session Awards (2); National Association of Industrial Technology’s 2001/2002 Outstanding Division President’s Award

Medical Equipment

Insurance

Contact Information:

Education: Ph.D., Industrial Education and Technology, Iowa State University; Master of Systems Engineering, Iowa State University; Master of Business Administration, California State University - Fresno; BS, Industrial Technology (Automated Manufacturing), California State University - Fresno

Name: Jeff Evans

Name: Roland Reznik

Title: Employee Benefits Consultant

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Company: Northwest Insurance Services

Company: KD Smart Chair

Products/Services Provided: In his role, Evans works with employers to help them address the critical challenges of cost, compliance and employee satisfaction associated with their employee benefit programs.

Evans concentrates his efforts on developing cost-containment strategies that will be necessary for employers as they adjust to the challenges of health-care reform in order to comply with upcoming laws and regulations.

Products/Services Provided: KD Smart Chair is a leading manufacturer of power wheelchairs.

The company’s wheelchairs have been featured on The Doctors Show, New Mobility Magazine, Mobility Basics and in other media outlets.

Education: West Orange High School Professional Associations: New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Strathmore’s Who’s Who Contact Information: Email: roland@kdsmartchair.com

Phone: 814/920-1063

Phone: 877-827-6278

Address: 4740 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509

Address: 20314 NE 16th Place Miami, FL 33179

northwest.com

kdsmartchair.com

Awards and Recognition: ALS Association, Association for Corporate Growth, National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association

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Building Solutions Kessel Construction, Inc. Kessel is a leader in design-build construction including concrete construction of all types, pre-engineered metal buildings/roofing, and building retrofits.

With family roots that span more than 80 years, Kessel has the experience and reputation to handle the most sophisticated and complex projects. Kessel prides itself in offering a turn-key solution for industrial and commercial construction from pre-site preparation through project completion.

For award winning excellence and unsurpassed performance, Kessel has the design-build solution that will work for your budget. Call Kessel today to review your project.

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345 High Street Bradford, PA 16701 814.362.4696 www.kesselco.com

Complexity. Growth.

Cutting Edge Technology.

Since 1984, over 1.0 billion precision machined parts produced in northwest PA and still counting…

Corporate Headquarters 7626 Klier Drive Fairview, PA 16415

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OCTOBER 2016 • mbabizmag.com

Erie Plant 1944 Wager Road Erie, PA 16509

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Nonprofit

Nonprofit Name: Amanda Brown Sissem

Name: Denise L. Kolivoski, MBA

Title: Executive Director

Title: Executive Director

Company: Erie Arts & Culture

Contact Information:

Products/Services Provided: Partner to the PA Council on the Arts and an Erie County Lead Asset, Erie Arts & Culture’s mission is to help strengthen the vibrancy and vitality of the Erie Region and enrich the lives of its people through the advancement of arts and culture.

Services include programs to unite and strengthen arts and cultural providers, grants to nurture arts and cultural activities and increase access, artist residencies including the Art & Industry Project, advocacy and opportunities for individuals, businesses, and foundations to invest in the sector through the Annual Arts & Culture Campaign and the Erie Arts Endowment.

Email: amanda@erieartsandculture.org Education: Master of Nonprofit Management, Regis University; Phone: Bachelor of Social Work, University of 814/452-3427 Georgia Address: Professional Associations: Emerge 2040, Steering Committee; Board 23 West 10th Street, Suite 2 Member for the following organizations: Erie, PA 16501 Citizens for the Arts, VisitErie, Erie Downtown Partnership and Partnership for Erie’s Public Schools Awards/Recognitions: Erie’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2013, Erie Reader

erieartsandculture.org

Nonprofit

Company: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Erie County Products/Services Provided: Mental health education and workforce development programs Education: MBA from Gannon University Professional Associations: Manufacturer & Business Association; Board of Directors, the Erie County Department of Human Services Contact Information: Email: denise@namierie.org Phone: 814/456-1773 Address: 1611 Peach Street, Suite 105 Erie, PA 16501

namierie.org

Nonprofit Name: George R. Trauner

Name: Stephen Westbrook, CPA

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Title: Executive Director

Company: Bethesda Children’s Home

Company: Erie City Mission

Products/Services: Bethesda Children’s Home is considered one of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s premier providers of behavioral and mental health services to children, youth and families. Serving more than 600 clients per day, Bethesda has facilities in Erie and Crawford counties and impacts the region’s economy by employing nearly 200 individuals between the two counties.

Products/Services Provided: Nonprofit Management of a Gospel Rescue Mission

Education: MS in Organizational Leadership from Mercyhurst University, BS in Parks and Recreation from Slippery Rock University, graduate – Leadership Meadville

Contact Information: Email: george.trauner@ bethesda-home.org Phone: 814/724-7510 Ext. 223 Address: 15487 State Highway 86 Meadville, PA 16335

bethesda-home.org

Awards/Recognitions: Erie Community Foundation and The Nonprofit Partnership’s Community Report Award in 2015 and two additional awards for the Community Report 2015 from the Advertising Association of NWPA, and two Telly (Pennsylvania) Awards for Excellence in Marketing for NAMI’s Fabulous Golf Outing, “The Boas are Back” promotion (2016)

Professional Associations: Current President, Board of Directors, Tri County Intermediate Unit # 5; Current Vice President, Board of Directors, Union City School District; member, Lutheran Services in America; member, Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services.

Awards/Recognition: Trauner was named the CEO of Bethesda Children’s Home in June of 2015. Under his leadership, Bethesda has undergone many significant changes, including a reorganization of the Board of Directors, an updated strategic plan, and the initiation of a rebranding process to commemorate Bethesda’s Centennial Celebration in 2019.

Contact Information: Address: 1017 French Street Erie, PA 16501 Phone: 814/452-4421 Ext. 230

eriecitymission.org

The Erie City Mission exists to provide quality services and care that restores individuals, families and communities impacted by the effects of addictions, poverty, homelessness and lack of hope. The Ministry’s commitment to residents, staff, volunteers, donors and community drives its vision to be a leader in the field of rescue and recovery; providing a continuum of innovative programs and services that encourage and support personal, educational and spiritual growth.

Education: BS in business/ accounting – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Professional Associations: American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA) ; Pennsylvania Institute of CPA’s (PICPA) Awards and Recognition: CPA License; Graduate of Faith-Based Leadership Institute

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ERIE, PA PERMIT #199

The only health insurer in Pennsylvania to receive the J.D. Power award this year.

It takes a lot for a health plan to be ranked highest in member satisfaction according to J.D. Power. They talk to members from more than 135 health plans nationally to get their impressions on a variety of factors that affect the member experience. UPMC Health Plan was not only ranked highest in overall member satisfaction in Pennsylvania, we also achieved the highest score in customer service and coverage and benefits. Which means our members are the ones who get the real reward. To learn more, visit www.UPMCHealthPlan.com/jdpower.

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UPMC Health Plan received the highest numerical score among commercial health plans in Pennsylvania in the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Member Health Plan Study, based on 31,867 responses from 9 plans measuring experiences and perceptions of members surveyed October-December 2015. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

MANUFACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT

OCTOBER 2016