Wendell August Forge enlisted SEWN's help in the spring of 2009 with its financial restructuring services. Read SEWN's success story on Wendell August Forge.
By Deborah M. Todd / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The week that Grove City metalcrafter Wendell August Forge celebrated winning the largest orders in its 90-year history was almost the same week it mourned its demise.
In March 2010 -- fresh off of six-figure deals with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Robert Morris University -- the handcrafted metal company's flagship store and workshop burned to the ground. In about an hour, millions of dollars in equipment and materials housed at the Exton location since 1934 were reduced to embers on the collapsed factory's floor. The fire, which started in a ventilation fan being used by workers applying lacquer to products, was ruled accidental.
Three years after what typically is a death blow for small businesses, Wendell August Forge has upped its workforce from a team of 70 to 120, struck distribution deals with 600 stores nationwide and broken ground on a new facility behind Grove City Premium Outlets. The new location, which is scheduled to open this fall, puts the company in the sights of more than 6 million shoppers who hit the outlet mall every year.
Bucks County Turnaround
Fall 2012
Fortunately, Bucks County has an Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) with a professional staff watching for those signs of trouble within its member companies. When one of the BCEDC members showed early signs of trouble, they called on one of their partners, the SEWN Program. Read the full article in the Bucks Prospectus
Manufacturing Firms Get Proactive On Training
Posted: May 11, 2012
Much of the shortage can be traced to an aging manufacturing workforce, according to a December2010 study done by the PA Center for Advanced Manufacturing Careers, a Program managed by the Steel Valley Authority
Mike Taylor tried college. In fact, he tried it a couple of times. “School was not for me — not every day, at least, for four or five years,” he said.
Turns out, what was for him were night classes once a week plus five days of on-the-job training. As a journeyman apprentice for advanced manufacturer Jennison Corp., he is now in his third year of a four-year program that is simultaneously giving him an education and a paycheck.
At the same time, he’s solving a problem for Jennison, which is just one of several manufacturers finding it increasingly challenging to hire skilled workers.
State-funded turnaround experts help crunched companies cope
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2012
A statewide program with a new local office is helping financially crunched companies avoid bankruptcy, layoffs and even closure — at no cost to the company.
The Strategic Early Warning Network office, which opened in Bristol early last month, works with companies that may be too small to afford professional help.
“We work with companies in distress. Usually, they have 20 to 200 employees and sales of $5 million or less. We work with companies that can’t afford a consultant,” said Gregory Olson, who heads up the Bristol office, one of four statewide.
State-funded Strategic Early Warning Network works to save PA jobs
Posted: December 18, 2011
Bill Wallace's company, William J. Labb Sons Inc., a small manufacturing firm in Philadelphia, survived the recession - but barely.
Whether it would make it through the recovery was another question entirely, one extremely important to the 20 people who work at Labb's Bridesburg factory.
Group Wants To Save Jobs in Bucks
Posted: December 8, 2011
Local manufacturers that are struggling to pay their bills and stay in business may be able to find help at a new, free service being offered in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Jobs In The Making: Economic Development Strategies To Grow Manufacturing
International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
The IEDC recently released a report, "Jobs in the Making...Economic Development Strategies To Grow Manufacturing". Tom Croft, Executive Director of the SVA, contributed to Chapter Four of the report on Layoff Aversion. There were also two case studies which were reported on; Spring Windows on Page 48 and another SEWN case study on Page 138. Mr. Croft also provided background on his book, "Up From Wall Street: The Responsible Investment Alternative" and on responsible capital funds.
Program Works To Preserve Manufacturing Industry
Posted on October 5, 20111
Like so many manufacturing companies, the recession of 2008 took its toll on Miller Welding and Machine Company. Faced with an uncertain economic future but also a desire to expand its services, the owners of the Jefferson County-based metal fabricating and machining business took the necessary steps to protect its 30-year legacy, which included entering the Strategic Early Warning Network (SEWN) program.
West Pittston Business Finds Filling Jobs Difficult
Published: September 29, 2011
WEST PITTSTON - After falling on hard times with the recession, a local manufacturing business is trying to grow and add more high-paying positions, but filling them is the problem.
Additional contracts for companies working in the Marcellus Shale will allow Finch Technology in West Pittston to add 10 to 15 machinist and welding jobs this year, paying $20 an hour with health benefits, to its current workforce of seven skilled manufacturing jobs, said Cliff Fay, managing partner.
Fish Tales
Sunday, June 5, 2011
It is not unusual to hear politicians talk about teaching people to fish. As the adage goes, if you give people fish, they can eat for only a day but if you teach them to fish, they can eat for life. This fishing analogy, which really is about providing jobs, succinctly embodies the economic policy of many of its proponents.
