May 2010
Sponsor of the Month
Global Fabrication, Inc. is a multifaceted, steel fabricator located in the heart of Western Pennsylvania. Our engineers design, and our skilled craftsmen create all sorts of equip-ment, tanks, pressure vessels, skid mounted equipment, and other custom fabrications to meet the demanding needs of our customers in the Power Generation, Gas, Petroleum, Ethanol, and many other industries.
We offer:
Pressure vessels, flash tanks, dehydration towers, indirect heaters separators, mole sieves, filter vessels, knock outs, receivers, and many other vessels in accordance with ASME Code Section VIII, Div. 1, and ASME Code Div 1.
Storage tanks, hopper vessels, and other shop built tanks in accordance with our customers demanding requirements, API, UL, and other industry specifications.
Pressure piping assemblies fabricated in accordance with ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, ASME B31.8, and other customer and industry requirements.
Frame and skid mounted equipment used for gas monitoring and transmission, fluid and gas processing and metering, steam and pressure applications; Hoppers, chutes, and heavy wall ductwork and assemblies; Suspended platforms, handrails, crossovers, ladders and cages to meet OSHA and other jurisdictional requirements; And many other custom fabrication and machine products and services.
We welcome you to visit us on the web at www.globalfabricationinc.com , or contact us at the numbers below to see what Global Fabrication Inc. can build for you.
Global Fabrication is proud to sponsor this months “Chamber Chatter”.
Global Fabrication, Inc. 235 Beaver Drive Phone 814-372-1500 P.O. Box 626 Fax 814-375-0718 DuBois, Pennsylvania 15801
Chamber Member and Board Events
May Sponsor is Global Fabrication 5 Executive Committee Meeting, 7:30 am, Chamber office.
6 Business Over Breakfast at 7:30 am, DuBois Diner. Hear
and see the entire Hospital Avenue re-alignment project as
presented by PennDOT representatives.
7 PA Outdoor Show at Clearfield Co. Fairgrounds
7 First Fridays in Downtown DuBois-block party runs 5-
8pm.
8 PA Outdoor Show at Clearfield Co. Fairgrounds
9 PA Outdoor Show at Clearfield Co. Fairgrounds
10 Chamber Board Meeting, 12:30 pm in Boardroom
11 Mid-Day Multi-MIXER at Aussies, 11:30am-1pm
24-29 Sandy Township Firemen’s Carnival at the DuBois Mall.
28 Chamber / JC Annual Golf Tournament at DuBois Country
Club; two tee times - 8 am or 1 pm.
June Sponsor is Clearfield-Jefferson MHMR 2-5 Red Cross Carnival in City Park, begins 6 pm Wed., Thurs,
& Fri.; begins 3pm on Saturday.
5 2010 Festival of the Arts in downtown DuBois, 10-5.
11 DuBois Community Days, City Park, begins Friday, 5 pm.
12 DuBois Community Days, City Park, begins Saturday at
11am. Parade at 6:00 pm.
15 Business Basics Workshop sponsored by SCORE, 9-noon,
Hampton Inn DuBois.
17 Silver Ribbon Award Luncheon, 11:30am-1pm, DuBois
Best Western .
19 DuBois Area Soap Box Derby
23 Mid-day MIXER from 11:30am-1:00pm. Hosted by KMA
Remarketing on Jared Street. Come for lunch, take the tour
Welding
Machining
Steel Fabrication
Pressure Vessels & Tanks
Skid Mounted Equipment
REINVESTING MEMBERS FOR 2010
Scotty’s Donuts Contact: Scott Walker
Phone: 814-371-8090
Linda Weis State Farm Insurance Contact: Linda Weis
Phone: 814-371-2154
Giancarlo’s Pizza & Italian Restaurants Contact: Joe Grecco
Phone: 814-372-2040
Advantage Forestry Contact: Donald Klinger, Glenn White Phone: 800-748-4855
Global Fabrication Contact: Becky Raybuck, Ken Mitchell Phone: 814-372-1500
BRONZE MEMBER
Owens-Illinois, Brockway
Plant #76, Plant # 18 Contact: Linda Pierce, Jackie Anderson Phone: 814-261-5480
Alvetro Landscaping
& Garden Center, PA 2268 Contact: Joanne Alvetro
Phone: 814-371-6867
Brookville Lanes Contact: Joe Grecco
Phone: 814-849-5050
Torrell & Bernardo Custom Homes
HIC #PA027268 Contact: Rick Bernardo
Phone: 814-375-9559
NCPRPDC, North Central Regional Planning & Development Comm. Contact: Eric Bridges Phone: 814-773-3162
Gulfstream International Airlines
Continental Connection Contact: Brian Swan
Phone: 814-328-5138
Kessler Fencing Contact: Dale Kessler
Phone: 814-375-5515
Women’s Care of Western PA Contact: Dr. Gary Ott
Phone: 814-371-6172
KTH Architects Contact: Robert Hallstrom Phone: 814-371-1541
GOLD MEMBER
Way Office Plus Contact: Peggy Shaw
Phone: 814-371-9100
DuBois Auto Repair Contact: Chuck Kutsel
Phone: 814-371-9262
Clearfield County Commissioners Contact: Joan McMillen Phone: 814-765-2641
Giancarlo’s Pizza & Italian Restau-
Brookville Lanes
Women’s Care of Western Pennsylvania
REINVESTING MEMBERS FOR 2010
Archives Management Warehouse Contact: Marc Gelfand
Phone: 814-268-6951
PA CareerLink Clearfield Co., DuBois Contact: Todd Vanderburgh
Phone: 814-371-0250
First Commonwealth Bank Contact: Patrick Heath
Phone: 814-371-2345
CHAIRMAN LEVEL
Lock Haven University Contact: Valerie Dixon
Phone: 814-768-3041
Guardian Financial Group Contact: Lloyd Johnson
Phone: 814-375-2404
Buck’s Pizza Franchising Corp. Contact: Neil Shindledecker
Phone: 814-371-3076
Uniformity Contact: Patty & Greg Donahue Phone: 814-375-1109
RAK Computer Associates Contact: Randy Mitchell Phone: 814-371-5025
Catalano, Case, Catalano & Fannin Contact: Craig Case
Phone: 814-371-3000
William G. Allenbaugh !!, Psychologist Contact: William Allenbaugh
Phone: 814-371-5565
Keystone Insurance Consultants Contact: Joe Zappia
Phone: 814-371-4901
Zappia Multimedia Contact: Joe Zappia Phone: 814-371-4901
Satelite Auto Glass Contact: Robin Rowe Phone: 814-590-4771
Lowe’s of DuBois Contact: Jaymie Stauffer
Phone: 814-372-8640
BRONZE MEMBER
DuBois Mall Contact: Joe Pletcher
Phone: 814-375-2602
SILVER MEMBER
North Central Pennsylvania Building
& Construction Trades Council Contact: Jeff Miller
Phone: 814-762-8426
SILVER MEMBER
AZTEC Linear Contact: Matt White
Phone: 814-372-4651
Archives
Management
Warehouse
REINVESTING MEMBERS FOR 2010
Priority First FCU Contact: Diane Kendrick
Phone: 814-371-4817, 849-0127
One Communications Contact: Karen Butts
Phone: 814-838-3300
C / J Packaging Contact: Suzanne Coder
Phone: 814-375-7061
Coca-Cola Enterprises Contact: Jim Horner Phone: 814-371-2920
BRONZE MEMBER
The Peaceable Kingdom Contact: Gene Fyda
Phone: 814-371-8061
SHRM, Society for Human Resource Mgt Contact: Mike Knobloch
Phone: 814-653-8265
Peggy’s Sunshine Cleaning Service Contact: Peggy Senior Phone: 814-771-8236
Martin’s Foods Contact: Luke Dreese Phone: 814-371-7299
Ellenberger Excavating Contact: Bryan Ellenberger
Phone: 814-583-5059
Carpet Spa Contact: Bob Hrin
Phone: 814-371-6708
Gardners Candies of DuBois Contact: Joyce Whaling
Phone: 814-371-0846
Osburn Buick Pontiac GMC Truck Contact: Jamie Osburn Phone: 814-371-4600
DuBois Dialysis-DaVita, Inc. Contact: Cynthia Moore Phone: 814-375-0644
NWIRC
Northwest Industrial Resource Center Contact: Erin Dixon
Phone: 814-590-1219
LaRue’s Hillside Contact: Judy Chewning
Phone: 814-583-7794
Goldblum Sablowsky, LLC. Contact: Steven Sablowsky
Phone: 412-464-2230
Joe’s Tux Shop Contact: Ted Fitzer Phone: 814-371-2077
Joe’s Cleaning & Alterations Contact: Laurie Fitzer
Phone: 814-371-2077
REINVESTING MEMBERS FOR 2010
James V. Cherry, DMD Contact: Dr. James Cherry
Phone: 814-371-3452
Comcast Spotlight Contact: Jeff Matter
Phone: 814-235-1783
Toni Kulbacki’s Barber Shop Contact: Toni Kulbacki
Phone: 814-371-8610
Fairman Corporation Contact: Ron Fairman Phone: 814-371-8410
UPMC Health Plan Contact: Kendra Winters Phone: 412-454-5721
Shop-Rite the Ultimate Shopper Contact: Darlene Coder
Phone: 814-773-3161
Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC Contact: John Yount
Phone: 814-371-5062
Express Oil Change Contact: Mark Assalone
Phone: 814-371-2448
Clearfield-Jefferson Co.
PA Council of Blind Contact: Jacqueline Wissinger Phone: 814-765-6768
DuBois Country Club Contact: Scott Choura
Phone: 814-371-7540
DuBrook, Inc. Contact: Rosemary Barber
Phone: 814-371-3113
Scenic View Family Recreation Center Contact: Tim Novak
Phone: 814-771-6465
Barr Wholesale Contact: Scott Taylor Phone: 814-583-5253
B & J Morrison Construction & Remodeling Contact: Becki Morrison Phone: 814-371-4333
Reynolds Financial Advisors Contact: Charley Reynolds
Phone: 814-371-5300
DuBois Area YMCA Contact: Dan Dowling
Phone: 814-375-9622
Marnie’s Salon, Spa & Boutique Contact: Marnie Brubaker
Phone: 814-371-7984
GKN Sinter Metals Contact: Matt Daniels Phone: 814-375-0938
BRONZE MEMBER
ELLENBERGER Excavating/
LARUE’S HILLSIDE
CLEANING & ALTERATIONS
Joe’s
Shop - Rite The Ultimate Shopper
BARR
WHOLESALE
Chamber Sponsor
for May
Stop in the
Chamber Tourist &
Business Information office
to learn what this area
business has to offer the
visitors and residents of
our community.
GLOBAL FABRICATION
by Gary Stormer
This month I‟ll address a question emailed to The Stormer Agency from a business owner who asked, “I often have relatives, friends and customers ask me if there is anything I can do to help make my small business grow….what do you suggest?”
In a previous column I discussed “word of mouth” advertising being your best or worst form of advertising. This is an area where rela-tives, customers and friends can make a huge difference.
There are many ways they can assist you in promoting your busi-ness. Some methods I‟d suggest are: 1) Have acquaintances and customers always say positive things about you and you business‟s service and products. A “friend” who says things like “she‟s hardly ever in her store” or “they have better prices at such and such” is doing more damage than you could ever imagine. Encourage favor-able comments from not just friends and family…but from custom-ers as well. This means going that extra mile for everyone who walks through your door. 2) Referrals…names and addresses of their friends, relatives, and neighbors who would benefit from your products and services. I‟d go as far as suggesting a business owner prepare a letter or flyer and have family members, current customers and friends email it to everyone in their address book. The odds of having an email ad read are far greater when it comes from someone the recipient knows. 3) Have them personally intro-duce you to perspective customers. Have your friends and custom-ers bring new faces into the store and introduce you to them. Talk about how the two of you met and how he or she uses your prod-ucts and services. This up close and personal method drives more business in small establishments than you‟d think. 4) Have them display information and brochures about your business where they work. Make use of bulletin boards and coffee break areas. Where it‟s legal (always check first) put a small sign in their yard.
Something else that works very well in your advertising is testimoni-als. Every time I hear an “On-Star” ad on the radio…I say to myself “what a great commercial!” Hearing those testimonials of how On-Star got someone‟s car unlocked…a traffic accident reported…or a break down taken care of makes me wish I had the system in my vehicle. The two things I‟d suggest before airing or printing a testi-monial are make sure it‟s their wording (and not something you asked them to say) and to get written permission from the customer. Just design a form they sign with a copy of the ad attached. This covers any question about the validity of the testimonial and proves you have permission to use the person‟s likeness, voice or com-ments.
Another great inexpensive way to get information out through friends (ok, is free cheap enough?) is start a Face book page for your business. Invite all of your Face book friends to become “fans” of your business and ask them invite their friends to become “fans.” Post daily information about your business on your page and all the “fans” will get the information. Face book is simple, free, and fun if it‟s done right.
Hopefully these ideas will help you better promote your business by making use of friends, relatives and customers who want to help you succeed. If you have a question or comment…or would like to find out about how you can become a client of The Stormer Agency…email me at [email protected] or call my cell phone (814) 590-3968.
NEW MEMBERS FOR 2010
Yard Works PA 006025 801 Levis Way
Brockway, PA 15824
Contact: James Burkholder Phone: 814-594-6421
Email: [email protected] www.yardworksco.com
Profile: Yard Works has an expanded range of services which includes: complete mowing and trimming, spring clean-up, fall clean-up, fertilizer programs, small tree
removal, mulching, landscape design, landscape maintenance, complete landscape
installations, shrub trimming and snowplowing.
Kurt Johnson Auto Sales 27 N. Franklin St. DuBois, PA 15801
Contact: Kurt Johnson
Phone: 814-375-7030 Fax: 814-375-7040 Email: [email protected] www.kurtjohnsonauto.com
Profile: Kurt Johnson Auto Sales strives to be a different and unique used car business.
We bring over 50 years of auto experience and consider ourselves experts. Kurt, Jennie and Bob will make every effort to help our customers through the common fears
and pitfalls associated with used car buying. We will sell only good cars, offer Carfax
histories, include the best warranties, and guarantee a pleasurable shopping experience. Shazam!
Oxifresh Carpet Cleaning 300 Trails End Road
Rockton, PA 15856
Contact: Ted Rosselli Phone: 814-590-8875
Email: [email protected] www.oxifresh.com
Profile: Oxifresh uses a low moisture cleaning process that allows your carpets to dry within an hour. (approx.) Our products are non-toxic and biodegradable and our revo-
lutionary machines save energy with every job. Our process also removes dust mites,
allergens, soils, and contaminates from your work area. We are the world’s greenest carpet cleaner®.
Gibson Upper Cervical Chiropractic, LLC 23 Beaver Drive, Ste.3
DuBois, PA 15801
Contact: Dr. Andy Gibson
Phone: 814-553-9469
Email: [email protected]
GIBSON Upper Cervical
Chamber‟s New Website to Launch in May
After a few months of adding, collecting and verifying member and area information, we‟re pleased to be able to our new website to our members, businesses, and visitors. Although a tedious learning and training experience for chamber staff, we feel strongly that we can provide more, to and for, the mem-bers of our Chamber and people from all around the world who are looking to see what‟s happening in the Greater DuBois Area.
www.duboispachamber.com
April is always a busy month for the Jaycees. Beautiful weather helped drive a huge turnout for the Jaycees Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt at the City Park. Tons of eggs, toys and treats and a visit from the Easter Bunny himself makes this a great time for kids. Thanks to all our sponsors for helping to keep the cost of this event down. Jaycees were also hosts of a bloodmobile last month, and just about hit our goal for units collected. The community may have also seen us at the American Cancer Society‟s Kids Day at the DuBois Area Middle School and at the United Way Celebrity Waiter-Waitress event. We are pleased to announce the organizations which will be receiving financial support from the Jaycees in 2010 through our Charitable Giving committee. What a great mix of human services and community projects we were able to support this year, thanks to the MANY people and businesses who support our annual fundraising events. (Our next ones are a hoagie sale ongoing through the first week of May, and the Chamber / Jaycees Annual Golf tournament on May 28th.) This year we are proud to support:
Clearfield-Jefferson MHMR to purchase 2 TV/DVD units for use in staff
training and therapy.
Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging to supply 50 Blizzard Boxes
for homebound seniors in the DuBois Area.
Downtown DuBois Revitalization Group to support promotion of down-
town activities.
DuBois Area Historical Society for website improvements.
DuBois Continuum of Care for support of a landscape project which will
enhance quality of life for residents.
First Book Clearfield County to purchase 75 books for local libraries
and families.
Free Medical Clinic to support medical attention for the area‟s working
poor.
Special Olympics of Clearfield & Jefferson counties to provide lunches,
t-shirts and new equipment for Special Olympians.
PA Free Enterprise Week to support one local student.
I teared up a bit writing that list because these are all people in our community that we able to help, even in a small way, thanks to other people in our community. People like you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
“Service to humanity is the best work of life.” Erin Dixon, President
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Business Over Breakfast
Thursday, May 6th at 7:30 am - DuBois Diner PennDOT representatives talk ‘construction’
First Fridays Block Party Downtown May 7th from 5 - 8 pm
Central PA Outdoor & Sports Show
May 7, 8, 9 Clearfield County Fairgrounds
Mid-Day Multi-MIXER
Tuesday, May 11 from 11:30am - 1 pm Join us for a FREE lunch at Aussies while visiting with
a variety of local businesses.
Sandy Township Firemen’s Carnival
May 24-29 at DuBois Mall
Chamber / JC Annual Golf Tournament Friday, May 28 - DuBois Country Club
For Reservations to events, call 371-5010 or email [email protected]
Downtown DuBois Matters By Julie Stewart, Downtown Manager
Spring Clean-Up 2010 is complete! What a great group we always have for this fun and worthwhile event. The groups that participated this year run the gamut from individuals and families just wanting to help our to our regulars like ABBA’s Coffeehouse, DuBois Rotary, Down to Earth Garden Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, S & T Bank, St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. A crucial part of the clean-up each year is the DuBois Fire Department who do a big sidewalk spray down the night before the Clean-Up. Big effort from a great group! Thanks to the City of DuBois and Sandy township. The folks who donate the lunch deserve specials mention, so we thank: Logan’s Quick Lunch, Pizza Hut, Fezell’s Shop ’n Save, Sheetz, Prontock Distributors, Scotty’s Donuts, DuBois Restaurant Supply, Ponderosa Steak House, Julio’s Tavern, Luigi’s Ristorante, Fox’s Pizza, The Fort Worth, Super Sub & Six Pack and Subway! Spe-cial thanks to Kay Boyd-Rowe at First Commonwealth Bank for gather-ing the lunch donations and all the other volunteers who help get everything set up. We had approximately 160 bags of trash, which doesn’t include all the Adopt-a-Highway trash that was picked up the same day. Great Job, Everyone! Our group does a mini clean-up through the summer and we have supplies year round, so call us at 371-3064 if you’d like to help. There are always areas that need attention.
Call or e-mail us for information (814) 371-3064 or [email protected]
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Chamber Members with Commercial Real Estate
CNB Bank Complex-Two 1,500 sq. ft., retail/office space's for lease. For
more information please contact Jim Baker at 375-6800.
DuBois Mall & DuBois Mall Plaza - The only enclosed mall within a 50
mile radius. Retail/Office space available for lease.
Locations available range in size from 120 to 5,005 square feet. Come
join JC Penneys, Old Navy, Ross Dress for Less, and Sears. Rental rates
are negotiable. For more information, please call Rudy McCarthy, Zamias
Services, Inc. at (814) 532-6112.
3.88 acres located on Shaffer Rd. Zoned Commercial. Prime frontage
near DuBois Mall. $388,000. Contact Joe Varacallo, CCIM, GRI @ 375-
0200 or email [email protected].
Shared Class A office space and facilities available at the Coldwell
Banker Developac Realty office located in Treasure Lake. Call Joe Vara-
callo, CCIM, GRI for details, 375-0200 or [email protected].
Treasure Lake Towne Center Plaza - Storefront retail/office space for
lease. High volume traffic. Various sized units. Post Office and YMCA
also in Plaza. Call 814-236-7442.
Industrial Land For Sale @ $34,500 per acre in the Sandy Town-
ship/Developac Industrial Park north behind DuBois Walmart. KOEZ
incentives. Municipal infrastructure in place. Contact Joe Varacallo,
CCIM, GRI @ 375-0200 or email [email protected] .
Alliance Park Multi-tenant Building space available at Spruce Street in
Clearfield. We have newly renovated manufacturing space ranging from
13,950 sf to 21,395 sf available, full infrastructure, loading docks, HVAC,
parking, sprinkler, secured environment, office and wet lab space avail-
able, KIZ. Rates starting at $3/sf. For more information contact Rob
Swales, Clearfield County EDC at 768-7838, ext.204.
Unique Development Property Available at the DuBois Regional Air-
port - Shovel-ready lots and office space available now at the DuBois
Regional Airport, a business-friendly site with Foreign Trade Zone #254
and a KOZ. Call Bob Shaffer, Airport Manager, at 814-328-5311 for more
information
Office space: 1800 sf with 8 rooms, 2 restrooms, kitchenette, possible
attic storage and 1200+ sf warehouse adjoining. Concrete parking lot,
heated sidewalk entry, HVAC, nicely landscaped. Located on Hoover
Ave. between Fastenal and The Meadows. Call Jack Ogorchock, Green
Dot, Inc. at 371-3222 or 814-541-4998.
Office space: 1200 sf with 5 offices, 2 restrooms, small kitchenette,
possible attic storage, large double entry. Located on Hoover Ave. behind
The Meadows. Call Jack Ogorchock, Green Dot, Inc. at 371-3222 or 814-
541-4998.
Retail space available: 3000+ sf open space with large windows along
front. 30 ft wide. Located on Hoover Ave. beside The Meadows. Call
Jack Ogorchock, Green Dot, Inc. at 371-3222 or 814-541-4998.
Office space available in Downtown DuBois, both first and second
floor. Phone 375-5260. Add your commercial listings by calling 371-5010.
Business
Spotlight
Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc.
Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. is a family-owned heavy construction company
serving customers from the PA/Ohio border to Hazelton, PA and from
southern New York to Harrisburg, PA. We provide earthmoving, under-
ground utilities, stone base, asphalt paving, concrete curbing, sidewalks,
bridges, pile driving, site development, and milling services. GOH, Inc.
sells limestone, sandstone and gravel aggregate and hot-mix asphalt prod-
ucts. Civil engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, permitting,
gas well drill and frac support services are available through Hawbaker
Engineering Associates.
Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. opened a regional facility in DuBois in 1989 and
has been a member of the chamber ever since. The company employed
103 individuals based out of DuBois alone in 2009. The company sup-
ported the community over the past year by cosponsoring the 3rd annual
Touch-A-Truck event, sponsoring a Little League team, and supporting the
DuBois Free Medical Clinic through the Annual Hawbaker Charity Golf
Outing.
Glenn O Hawbaker Inc. is helping to build a better community in more
ways than one. The DuBois operation is located along Rt 219 between
DuBois Street and SR 830 just north of DuBois Feeds.
Address: Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc.
627 Rich Hwy.
DuBois, PA 15801
(814) 371-2005 Fax: (814) 371-3384
E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.goh-inc.com
Office Hours Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 5:00pm
Mid-Day Multi-MIXER scheduled for May 11
Aussie‟s will be the host and location for our next MIXER. After a similar event last fall, and it‟s huge success, we‟ve decided to do it again. Maureen “Mo” Kovalchick is the new manager for Aus-sie‟s Steakhouse, corner of Brady St. and Washington Ave. in Down-town DuBois. To celebrate their opening and help promote their neighbors, Aussie‟s is providing a FREE lunch to those attending the MIXER from 11:30-1:00pm on Tuesday, May 11th. Other vendors include: Norm‟s Service w/Fezell‟s Shop „n Save Gas Perks; Stew‟s Brews Coffeehouse; Diane Lowe, Mary Kay Consultant; Carol Jones, Tastefully Simple Consultant; Day Spa du Bois; Chamber Visitor Cen-
ter; Merle Norman Boutique; and of course, Aussie‟s. There will be door prizes, great information on these businesses and net-working with all attendees. The Chamber will be selling their $5 Chips for Cash ($1,000). Are you coming? Please reserve by calling 371-5010.
Business
Spotlight
Jefferson County Development Council in Brookville is the lead economic development corporation for Jefferson
County. It is a non-profit corporation that was created in 1969 with a sole
mission of helping to create jobs within Jefferson County.
Council has 85 current members with an 18 member board of directors.
Council’s professional staff support is provided by the Jefferson County
Department of Development.
Council’s primary services/activities include the development of industrial
parks, multi-tenant buildings, financing assistance (low-interest loans, grants
and tax incentives) and general business consulting.
For further information, please contact us at Jefferson County Development
Council, c/o Jefferson County Department of Development, 155 Main Steet-
2nd Floor, Brookville, PA 15825.
Mr. Craig Coon, Director of Community and Economic Development
814-849-3047 (office)
814-849-5049 (fax)
www.jeffersoncountypa.com
Helping Business Succeed Chamber Economic Development Team
The following article is part of a series prepared by the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce - Economic Development Team.
Engaging the Workforce with Lean Manufacturing
Given the recent economic conditions, there is a tendency for many companies to pull in expenses and wait for better times to return. While there are instances where this is essential, it should be noted that there is no time like the present to begin putting a company‟s greatest asset to work in a structured manner. Doing so will not only help a company position itself to survive the immediate downturn, but also lay the ground-work to be able to capitalize on growth opportunities when the situation becomes more favorable. What is this asset and approach mentioned? Well, the asset is simply an organiza-tion‟s workforce and the approach has been referred to in multiple ways: Henry Ford‟s Ford Production System, Toyota Production System, Danaher Business System and the most commonly used term today being Lean Manufacturing. While Lean Manufacturing is a collection of principles, meth-ods and tools; it is really the empowering of the workforce and engaging them in the problem solving process that makes it so powerful to improving a business. The focus is on rooting out those items which hamper profitability and de-crease customer satisfaction. The term “Lean Manufacturing” is focused on five elements that are described in the book Lean Thinking (1996) by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones. These five elements are as follows:
Specify the value desired by the customer
Identify the value stream for each product providing that value and challenge all of the wasted steps currently necessary to provide it
Make the product flow continuously through the remain-ing value-added steps
Introduce pull between all steps where continuous flow is possible
Manage toward perfection so that the number of steps and the amount of time and information needed to serve the customer continually falls
While “Lean Manufacturing” is the most commonly seen term when it comes to this approach, referring it as a Lean Man-agement system is perhaps more appropriate since it goes beyond manufacturing environments and applies to service industries and the healthcare industry equally as well. An article in the October 16
th (2009) edition of the Pittsburgh
Business Times (http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com) discusses how the Toyota model has effected significant, positive change at the St. Claire hospital proving the ability of this approach to reach across industries. What kind of results can I expect and how does one get started? Some of the results, depending on the situation of course, can include:
Lead times reduced by more than 75%
On-time delivery improvements of 99+%
Productivity (sales dollars per employee) increases >35%
Inventory (working capital) reductions of more than 75%
Defect reductions of 50% per year, with zero defects per-formance possible
Return on assets improved by 100+%
Continued next column>>>>
What is particularly important is that the results you accomplish today then become the building blocks for future improve-ments. The ultimate goal is to create an organizational culture that is focused on constantly striving to get better each and every time an operation or service is performed. This is not a „once and done‟ approach by any means. Getting started can be as simple or complex as you would like to make it. It might simply take the form of bringing a small group together to try and solve a reoccurring problem, or it could be a more formalized approach that is often referred to as a kaizen event. Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning “to change for the better” and when associated with Lean Manu-facturing, is usually a three or five day event focused on im-proving an area or specific problem in a structured manner. You might also see it referred to as a kaizen blitz in some lit-erature. While there are a number of books available on kaizen and kaizen events, one recommendation is finding and utilizing an experienced facilitator initially. There is a tendency in most people to resist change and a good facilitator will identify that resistance and engage all the participants, thereby helping to ensure a more successful outcome. The only real caveat to this approach is that this a hands-on,
get out there and try approach. It isn‟t meant for a group of
people to sit around and philosophize about the potential op-
portunities, but to go out into the place where the opportunities
are present and try to effect positive change. It is about learn-
ing about what really goes in a workplace, and then taking
steps to make it better (kaizen). My challenge to every reader
then, is find some small area and strive to make it better. By
doing so you will become more knowledgeable about the proc-
esses involved, thereby strengthening your organization. Like
the slogan for Nike says, “Just Do It”.
On behalf of the Workforce Development Team for Economic
Development, this article has been prepared by
Wayne A. Marhelski, VP of Global Sourcing for Sensus
For more information, contact the Greater DuBois of Chamber of Commerce at 814-371-5010 or [email protected].
KNOW WHAT COUNTS “No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on
having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?”
Lee Iacocca
3 South Brady St., Suite 205
DuBois, PA 15801
814-371-5010 phone
814-371-5005 fax
www.duboispachamber.com
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
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If not, fax or mail the changes today.
The Greater DuBois Chamber accepts these major credit cards:
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DUBOIS, PA 15801
PERMIT NO. 229
Think Local Before You Buy
Chamber Board of Directors
Chamber Staff
Nancy J. Micks President and CEO
Susan G. Loskoski Jackie K. Allen Administrative Assistant Member Services
Carl Lias, Chairperson
Absolute Settlement Company
Colette Dushac, Vice-Chair.
Clearfield-Jefferson MHMR
John Oberlin, Sec/Treasurer
S & T Bank
Nancy Anthony Paris Companies
Todd Arnold Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc.
John Blasdell Penn State DuBois
Kay Boyd-Rowe First Commonwealth Bank
Pete Brown Walmart
Louise Christofor Carriage House Creations
Jim Curtis Swift Kennedy Group
Tracy Draa Paris Companies
Chuck Ferra DuBois Area School District
Susan Ford Clearfield-Jefferson D & A Comm.
Carol Foltz Coldwell Banker
Dawn Foringer Helpmates, Inc.
Jeff Gasbarre Gasbarre Products
Harry Howard All About A Party & Costumes
Dan Johnston TLPOA
Brian Kline DRMC
Erin Morgan Northwest Savings Bank
John Shimko Penelec First Energy
Matt Snyder Way Copy Solutions
Kristen Vida DuFAST Transit
BLOODMOBILE SCHEDULE
Mark your calendars NOW!
May 1 First United Methodist Church 9 am -3 pm
Sponsored by the DuBois Barbershop Chorus
May 27 First United Presbyterian Church 1 pm -7 pm
In honor of Mona Wilson
June 14 DuBois Area Middle School 1 pm -7 pm
DuBois Volunteer Firemen’s Challenge
Schedule is subject to change.
Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE to schedule appointments or visit the e-
donor site at www.redcrossblood.org .
Call 1-866-236-3276 to ask questions about donating blood.
Notice: Newsletter inserts and articles provided by members are intended as an informational service for
members of the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce▪Economic Development. The content and opinions
expressed within are those of the authors/represented companies and are not necessarily shared by the
Chamber or its membership. The Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for any actions
taken from use of content and opinion expressed within the publication.