BUSINESS BUZZ

LOGISTICS PLUS NAMED FINALIST FOR 2020 HEAVY LIFT AWARDS

Logistics Plus has been selected as a Project of the Year finalist for the 2020 Heavy Lift Awards presented by Heavy Lift & Project Forwarding International (HLPI) magazine. The Project of the Year award is based on the following three criteria: • Unique techniques and innovative approaches to overcome project challenges • The use of multiple transport modes • The employment of advanced equipment and/or technology Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Heavy Lift Awards will be hosted as a virtual event this year. The awards will now begin on October 5 and run until October 21 with 13 days dedicated to the different award categories. As the leading publication reporting on the heavy lift, break bulk, and project cargo industry, HLPFI has established the Heavy Lift Awards to recognize and reward excellence for complex logistics, transportation, and engineering projects around the world. Logistics Plus Inc. (LP) is a leading worldwide provider of transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, technology, and supply chain solutions. The company is also a logistics partner of the Manufacturer & Business Association. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.net or www. mbausa.org/services-and-benefits/logistics-services.

MAGEE PLASTICS CREATES NEW PROTECTIVE DEVICE

Magee Plastics Co., headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, recently unveiled a new protective device that safeguards front-line medical workers while treating patients suffering from COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses. According to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the company developed a transparent plastic box that is placed around a patient’s head while they undergo procedures such as intubation. The box helps limit exposure to coughed droplets and aerosol products used during medical procedures. The device was developed with the help of a $150,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. They are being tested by Carnegie Mellon University, which is using aerosol sprays to determine their effectiveness at containing airborne substances. According to the report, the devices are being shipped to AHN hospitals as well as the Butler Health System, Excela Health, Heritage Valley Health System, St. Clair Hospital Group and hospitals in the Erie area. Magee Plastics is an AS9100 approved manufacturer and FAA repair station with 50 years of experience supplying interiors to the airlines worldwide. For more information, visit www.mageeplastics.com.

Logistics Plus, headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, recently unveiled an updated version of its mural on the overpass above Peach Street near 14th Street. The company is also a finalist for the Heavy Lift Awards for 2020.

FOSTERMATION, INC. UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

Fostermation, Inc. recently updated its website, showcasing the company and its different product offerings including Rods, Shafts, Scaler Needles, Pins, Screw Machine Products and CNC Swiss Machining Products. “Being found online by potential customers is, now more than ever, very important for suppliers like us to stay competitive,” said John Ritchey II, Fostermation’s president. “This upgrade to our online presence creates a first impression that’s on par with the quality of our work.” To view the website, visitors can go to www.fostermation.com. Fostermation has also launched its social media platforms and a video blog to help provide relevant news and articles with all audiences. You can now connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to network and follow industry-specific news. The video blog, titled Pins and Pints, will feature educational topics meant to help engineers, procurement professionals, distributors and others in the supply chain. For more information, visit www.fostermation.com.

ERIE INSURANCE, ERIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PARTNER WITH NATIONAL INVESTOR ON ERIE OPPORTUNITY ZONES

Erie Insurance (ERIE) and The Erie Community Foundation (ECF) have joined forces with Arctaris Impact Investors, LLC (Arctaris Impact or Arctaris), a national impact investor located in Boston, to bring new capital investments to Erie, Pennsylvania through a program called Arctaris Erie. This program will provide public and private sector investment capital to transform the city center into an inclusive space where all residents will want to work, live, eat and play. Through this partnership with Arctaris Impact, ERIE and ECF will enable $40 million of investments in Erie. The intention is to invest the majority in Erie Downtown Development Corporation (EDDC) shovel-ready projects and the remainder in other mission related investments (MRI) within Erie County Opportunity Zones. An impact dashboard will be developed to assess and evaluate the social and community benefits of a potential investment in an Opportunity Zone project. “We’re thrilled that we’ve attracted an investor of Arctaris Impact’s caliber to Erie,” said Tim NeCastro, president and CEO of Erie Insurance. “This significant infusion of capital accelerates our work to revitalize Erie’s downtown and encourages other potential investors.” Arctaris Impact is focused on revitalizing disinvested cities and targeted rural communities. They have partnered with multiple foundations, federal and state government agencies to invest in Opportunity Zones, inner cities and targeted rural communities throughout the United States, with the aim of delivering above-market investment returns alongside positive social impact. The Kresge Foundation selected Arctaris Impact to develop best practice models for investments in Opportunity Zones across the nation. Based on Arctaris’ interest in investing in the city, discussions began with EDDC, Erie Insurance and ECF to design a collaborative approach to investing in Erie projects. Erie Insurance is initially investing $25 million in the Arctaris Opportunity Zone Funds and is looking to expand to $50 million during the second half of 2020. The Erie Community Foundation has made a $5 million commitment to invest in mission related projects. For Erie Insurance and the ECF, investing in Arctaris’ Opportunity Zone Funds allows for an infusion of new capital investments in the city’s revitalization efforts at a higher level than either organization could invest independently. Arctaris Erie will be replicated in cities throughout the country as part of Arctaris’ new Opportunity Zone Investments initiative. Arctaris has successfully invested in similar programs in Washington, D.C., Maine, Baltimore, Michigan and Ohio.