Catalyst Connection Honors 25 Top Manufacturing Companies

Celebrating 25 years of success helping manufacturers grow, Catalyst Connection recognized 25 top companies and projected trends that will impact the sector at an event held at the Heinz History Center last evening. The organization, a Pittsburgh-based economic development and manufacturing consultancy, advances the performance of small manufacturing companies.

“Catalyst Connection was created in 1988 by Governor Casey to help small manufacturing companies survive the decline of the steel industry,” explained Petra Mitchell, president and CEO. “Since then, this organization has partnered with more than 1,600 manufacturing companies. To commemorate this milestone and the innovation in this region, we are recognizing 25 manufacturers to represent all of the firms that are setting the bar for success in the industry.”

With more than 300 people in attendance, Mitchell shared data and trend information about the manufacturing sector which included:

-  As of mid-2012, 97,000 people were employed in manufacturing in southwestern Pennsylvania, the highest mid-year level since 2008 and 1.1% higher than mid-year 2011.

-  Total manufacturing wages for the 12 months ending mid-2012 totaled $1.3 billion, almost reaching pre-recession levels.

-  In addition, there were 53 manufacturing expansions announced in 2012, representing 2,832 jobs. In comparison, in 2011, 46 manufacturers announced expansions representing 1,957 jobs.

The top 25 companies recognized by Catalyst Connection:

·                Ace Wire Spring and Form Company Inc.– manufacturer of compression springs, extension springs, torsion springs and wire forms; McKees Rocks.

·                All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC – makers of professional quality cookware; Canonsburg.

·                Angstrom Sciences Inc. – leader in magnetron sputtering technology; Duquesne.

·                Bearing Service Company – distributor and manufacturer of standard and special ball and roller bearings; Pittsburgh.

·                Berkley Surgical Corporation – makers of surgical instruments and apparatus; Uniontown.

·                Berner International Corporation – leading manufacturer of air curtains/air doors and related products for over 50 years; New Castle

·                Cygnus Manufacturing Company – a precision manufacturer of products and components for medical devices, transportation, scientific instrumentation, energy, aerospace and defense applications; Saxonburg.

·                Conspec Controls, Inc. – a leader in the gas detection industry; Charleroi.

·                Creekside Springs –  a full-line supplier of bottled water for private label, contract package (co-packing) and store brand agreements; Ambridge.

·                Ductmate Industries, Inc. – one of the largest HVAC system components manufacturers in the world; Washington, PA.

·                Global SFC Valve Corporation – serves US Navy with products including adapters, clamps, couplings, fittings, hose assemblies and valves; Somerset.

·                Hamill Manufacturing Company – specializing in precision machining, welding, and fabrication of complex components; Trafford.

·                ITI Trailers and Truck Bodies – designs and manufactures oil field trailers and truck bodies, and over the road trailers and truck bodies; Meyersdale.

·                Kerotest Manufacturing Corporation – manufacturer and distributor of metal and plastic valves and equipment for the natural gas, chemical, and steam markets; Pittsburgh.

·                Kongsberg Protech Systems USA Corporation –  an international, knowledge-based group that supplies high-technology systems and solutions to the oil and gas industry; Johnstown.

·                Kopp Glass, Inc. – the world’s leading manufacturer of technical glass products; Pittsburgh.

·                Kurt J Lesker Company – leading global provider of high-quality vacuum products and systems; Clairton.

·                MCC International, Inc. – specializing in casting and centrifugally cast ferrous and non-ferrous products; Washington, PA.

·                MECCO Marking & Traceability – direct part marking, laser marking, laser engraving and dot peen machines for traceability and part verification; Cranberry.

·                Pace Industries, Airo Division – producing aluminum compressor blades for the nuclear industry; Loyalhanna.

·                Proceq USA, Inc. – metal finishing; Aliquippa, Beaver County.

·                Specialty Tires of America, Inc. – producing the highest quality bias ply tires and rubber products for a wide variety of uses; Indiana.

·                The Techs – specializes in the hot-dip galvanizing of both hot-rolled and cold-rolled heavier-gauge steel sheet; Pittsburgh.

·                TIGG Corporation- specializes in manufacturing equipment that uses granular activated carbon; Oakdale.

·                Universal Electric Corporation – manufacturing innovative electrical power solutions; Washington, PA.

In the last five years, these 25 companies have invested over $3 million into the training and professional services offered by Catalyst Connection and its partners. As a direct result, they have reported the following:

• $87 million new sales

• $425 million retained sales

• $58 million cost savings

• $48 million additional investments into plants and people

• 550 new jobs

• 2,035 retained jobs

ABOUT CATALYST CONNECTION

Based in Pittsburgh, Catalyst Connection is an economic development organization dedicated to helping small manufacturers improve their competitive performance. Our advisors, consultants and instructors offer training, consulting and administer financial programs that can provide funding for equipment, machinery, or capital improvements. Learn more at www.catalystconnection.org.

For more bytes of the Pittsburgh region’s tech sector visit techburgher.com