GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY AT IMPERIAL SYSTEMS NEW SITE IN JACKSON COMMERCE PARK

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY HELD AT MUSCLE PRODUCTS CORPORATION IN WORTH TOWNSHIP

JOY CONE ANNOUNCED $12 MILLION EXPANSION

“Funding for these new high-tech jobs that will be created by Eastern Financial Systems is part of my ongoing commitment to the city of Sharon and its aggressive economic development efforts,” said Governor Rendell.   “As we help revitalize the downtown, we are also providing the tools that will help train our workforce to better compete in a global market.”

Eastern Financial Systems has constructed a 5,000-square-foot addition, purchased new computer equipment, furniture and fixtures and added additional infrastructure at its Sharon facility. The company has also started a training program for its new hires and to improve the skills of some existing employees.

“The Eastern expansion project was the latest in a series of projects over a four-year period aimed at maximizing the use of our Sharon facility to accommodate our rapid employment growth,” said Crispin Anderson, controller at Eastern Financial Systems. “The state’s investment in Eastern Financial Systems will aid in our company’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain local qualified employees through competitive wages, advanced training and exposure to leading-edge technology.”

With the help of the Penn Northwest Development Corp., the Department of Community and Economic Development and Governor’s Action Team offered Eastern Financial Systems a financial package that includes a $75,000 Opportunity Grant, $70,000 in Customized Job Training funds and $120,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits.The company is also eligible to apply for up to $250,000 in Enterprise Zone Tax Credits.

Eastern Financial Systems Inc., a division of Fidelity Information Services Inc., is a leading provider of software solutions to the lending community. The company provides loan origination software to the mortgage industry, as well as software maintenance and consulting services. Eastern Financial Systems’ products are used by 28 of the top 100 lenders in the United States.

“Eastern Financial Systems represents the new economy diversification that is needed in Mercer County and Penn Northwest is happy to have been able to assist with their expansion project,” said Larry D. Reichard,
executive director of Penn Northwest Development Corp.

To learn more about Eastern Financial Systems Inc., visit www.fidelityinfoservices.com

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ALCOA REYNOLDS FOOD PACKAGING BREAKS GROUND ON $1.7 MILLION EXPANSION

Alcoa Reynolds Food Packaging plant in Grove City, PA, broke ground January 16, 2006 on a $1.7 million addition to expand its operations to include PET extrusion capabilities. The new department will have the capacity to produce 9 million pounds of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet annually.

The $1.7 million project includes a 1,000 square foot expansion, addition of two resin silos and a new, enclosed loading dock. This project, along with the transfer completed last September of thermoforming equipment from the Alcoa plant recently shuttered Madison, GA, will create 35 local jobs.

“This plan has been an active part of this community for 16 years and Alcoa Reynolds Food Packaging is fortunate to be located in an area that has supported the growth of this business,” said Mark Rath, East Coast Regional Director of Manufacturing for Reynolds Food Packaging. “We believe the 35 new jobs that will be created at the plant are good for Alcoa and good for the community”.

The Grove City Plant, a 250,000 square foot facility, currently employs over 200 people and produces corrugated paper, thermoformed plastic containers and PET extruded roll stock for the food industry.

Photo (L to R): Larry Reichard, Executive Director, PNDC; Joe Svirbely, Extrusion Operator and Mark Rath, East Coast Regional Director of Mfg., both Alcoa/Reynolds Food Packaging; Representative Dick Stevenson; and Senator Bob Robbins

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WOODCRAFT INDUSTRIES MOVING TO

GREENVILLE-REYNOLDS INDUSTRIAL PARK

In addition to five new businesses moving into Greenville-Reynolds’ Industrial Parks during 2005, Woodcraft Industries, a producer of fine hardwood and laminated components based out of St. Cloud Minnesota, purchased property in November 2005 in the Industrial Park. Their operation will create 185 new jobs and they expect to be operating by March 1, 2006. They also purchased on option for an additional thirty acres of Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone designated property for future expansion.

“We are very pleased that an organization of such caliber as Woodcraft has chosen to locate here in Greenville-Reynolds Industrial Park,” said Brad Gosser, Executive Director and Vice President of Greenville-Reynolds Development Corporation. Governor Rendell’s Action Team was instrumental in Woodcraft deciding to locate in Pennsylvania. The Team is comprised of economic-development professionals who report directly to the Governor. GAT offered Woodcraft a financial package that includes low interest loans, grants, and tax credits.

“It is great news that Woodcraft picked Pennsylvania to locate its manufacturing facility,” Governor Rendell said.  “While these jobs could have gone to Ohio, the company’s decision to grow in Mercer County is strong evidence of the positive climate that we have created for business and our highly skilled workforce.”

“Woodcraft Industries is looking forward to becoming a valuable member of the Greenville Community and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said John Fitzpatrick, president and CEO if Woodcraft Industries. “We will bring jobs that offer competitive wage and benefit packages to the area. We appreciate the cooperation that has made our start-up in Pennsylvania possible, especially the assistance we received from the Commonwealth and the Greenville-Reynolds Development Corporation.”

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GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY AT IMPERIAL SYSTEMS NEW SITE
IN JACKSON COMMERCE PARK

Imperial Systems, Inc. was incorporated in October of 2001 and started out as a sales and design company. In March of 2002, the fabrication division was started to feed the already existing market for the sales division. The company purchased equipment, hired new employees, and rented a building to start manufacturing system components. Since March of 2002 the company has ventured into building more equipment and installing thesystems turnkey. This new facility in Jackson Commerce Park will enable Imperial Systems to pursue largermanufacturing projects and take on bigger accounts which will further diversity their growing customer base.

Imperial Systems produces air pollution control equipment and components for industrial applications. The company currently employs 16 and hopes to add five new workers when the new building is completed in thespring.

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RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY HELD AT MUSCLE PRODUCTS CORPORATION IN WORTH TOWNSHIP

Jackson Center, PA – September 12, 2005 - About five miles north of Interstate 80 on Kilgore Road, among corn fields, pastures, and apple orchards, sits the new home of MPC – Muscle Products Corporation.  MPC is one of the leading manufacturers of high technology specialty lubricants, additives and greases. Its products are used throughout the world in industries such as automotive, transmission, steel, mining, metalworking, manufacturing, construction, transportation, etc. Even farmers use MPC products.

“Any industry that uses machinery needs our products,” notes Sharon Murphy Dittrich, Chief Executive Officer of MPC.

MPC products are sold through distributors in the United States, as well as in forty-five countries world wide. In addition to the manufacture and distribution of its own MPC-brand products, the company also serves as a contract packager for a few domestic private-label brands. MPC is in the process of developing a custom
lubricant additive for a Japanese distributor.

Founded in 1985 in Butler, the company recently completed its move into the renovated former apple processing
center on the 150-acre farm it purchased two years ago. The company’s offices are located in the original farm
house. MPC employs nine people at its Jackson Center facility.

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GOVERNOR RENDELL VISITS MERCER COUNTY

During a visit to the City of Hermitage on July 22, Gov. Edward G. Rendell presented three checks totaling more than $3 million for three economic development projects that will create or retain nearly 400 jobs in Mercer County.  The three projects are as follows:

CCL Container Corp., which will be constructing a 50,000 s.f. addition to its existing Hermitage facility and purchasing new equipment in order to accommodate product demand.  The company, a leading international supplier of specialty packaging products, will create 61 new jobs within three years and retain 190 existing employees.  DCED has offered the company a financial package totaling $1.85 million.

Identifi Technologies, a start-up company which is designing and developing technology related to the production of radio frequency identification tags.  At least 35 new jobs will be created within three years and one existing employee will be retained.  DCED has offered Identifi a financial package totaling $156,000 for the project.

Rendell also announced $1 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds for a third project, the expansion of Premier Hydraulics.  The company is proposing to build a 50,000 s.f.

manufacturing facility in the City of Sharon.  Premier Hydraulics is a specialty manufacturing company that designs and manufactures items such as special fittings, check valves, filters and swivels.  The company has already created and retained 105 jobs.

For more information on the Governor’s economic stimulus programs, visit www.NewPA.com.

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Congratulations and thank you to the employees at CCL Container for the ratification of their labor contract.  Union workers at CCL Container approved a new labor contract on March 29, 2005 which will allow for a $35 million expansion at the Hermitage manufacturer.  The expansion will include three additional lines for aluminum can production and will add 60 jobs over the next two to three years. 

Members of the International Union of Electrical Workers – Communication Workers of America Local 88648 ratified a new four-year contract.   The local represents 152 production and maintenance workers at the aluminum aerosol and beverage can plant.  CCL had informed workers that if the contract were approved the company would commit to an expansion in Hermitage, but if the contract were rejected that the expansion would have  been made at it’s Canadian plant instead, said Mike Feldser, vice president of operations in Hermitage.  “The decision to add these lines was already made,” Feldser said.  “The question that remained was where were they going to go – here or Toronto.”

Planning is underway for the first line which is expected to arrive this summer.  The line could begin producing cans as soon as late September, depending on the arrival of equipment from Europe.  The second new line will be added between 12 and 18 months after the first, and the third line following.  The addition of three lines requires an expansion to the existing 120,000 square foot facility by an additional 50,000 square feet. 

CCL is the leading North American manufacturer of aluminum packaging for the beverage, food, personal care, pharmaceutical and household markets.  In addition to its Hermitage and Toronto plants, the company has a plant in Mexico City.

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JOY CONE ANNOUNCED $12 MILLION EXPANSION

On March 17, 2005, Joy Cone Co. announced plans for a $12 million expansion and modernization at its production facility in Hermitage, PA that will result in the creation of 100 jobs within three years and the retention of 325 jobs.   

Announcement of the expansion was made by Gov. Edward Rendell during a visit to Sharon.  “This project is great news for Mercer County,” Rendell said.  “The fact that a global leader like Joy Cone chose to expand here sends a clear message that manufacturers are attracted to Pennsylvania as a result of the programs we have in place to benefit their operations.”    

Joy Cone’s president, Joseph George said that the company’s rise can be credited to its workforce.  “I salute them,”  George said.  Rendell noted workers in the greater area have an enviable reputation.  “Whenever anyone talks about the Shenango Valley they always cite the work ethic here as being second to none,” Rendell said. 

Joy Cone will renovate its current manufacturing facility, construct an addition of approximately 104,000 square feet, and convert portions of its warehouse into extra production space.  The upcoming expansion will also include the purchase and installation of new electronic automation equipment in its warehouse.    The estimated $12 million project will take approximately three years to complete.   

With competition being fierce, the family and employee owned cone maker made the decision to expand its operations to increase production to solidify their position in the market.  In 2004, Joy Cone manufactured the equivalent of 1.9 billion ice cream cones, according to Mr. George.  When the expansion in Hermitage is complete, Joy will produce the equivalent of well over two billion cones a year, George projects, if not more. 

With its fleet of 12 tractor-trailers in Hermitage and one in their Flagstaff, Arizona facility, as well as common carriers, Joy Cone Co. delivers its cones to customers in the food service industry, such as Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, Friendly’s and Ben and Jerry.  Retailers supplied by Joy Cone include Wal-Mart, Giant Eagle and almost every other supermarket chain in the country. 

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PENN-NORTHWEST HELPS BUSINESS RE-LOCATE TO MERCER COUNTY

February 23, 2005.  Industrial Machine Designs, LLC is a manufacturer of aluminum molds for use in the blow molding industry.  The company makes custom molds for bottles and other containers as well as other parts made of plastic, and employs four full-time workers.  The machinery used for this operation can also be used for tool and die, and job shop operations.

In September, Industrial Machine Designs will celebrate its first anniversary in Wheatland, having moved to that location from Lawrence County.  Penn-Northwest Development Corporation was instrumental in helping Industrial Machine Design’s president, Bob Sinibaldi, make that move. 

“We had wanted to expand our operation beyond just production of custom molds,” noted Sinibaldi.  “In Wheatland we are surrounded by lots of prospective customers for our tool and die and job shop services.”  “Bob’s timing was perfect,” added Ehrhart.  “Although we have a rather extensive inventory of underutilized industrial buildings in Mercer County, smaller buildings are not as easy to find.  I had heard that J. & L. had closed and thought that site might work for Industrial Machine Design.”  Sinibaldi and his employees have added about ten minutes each way to their daily commutes, but the location is more convenient for current customers in addition to its proximity to prospective new customers.

“We like this area because it is convenient to a large customer base for our mold operation.  In addition to the many plastic firms in Lawrence County, we serve customers in Geneva, OH, Paducah, KY, and several locations in North Carolina,” said Sinibaldi.  “In Wheatland, we are only minutes from Route 60 and major east-west, north-south Interstate highways.  Now we have a more convenient location for existing customers, and are also in a great place to expand our business.  We’re glad we made the move, and are grateful to Penn-Northwest for all their help.”

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