NEPIRC Announces Benefits and Impacts Reported by Manufacturers According to data voluntarily provided by 575 small and mid-sized manufacturing firms across Pennsylvania throughout 2023, the statewide Industrial Resource Center (IRC) initiative, the Commonwealth’s flagship program for strengthening the competitiveness and resiliency of smaller industrial firms, generated significant positive results among users of their services. Over the past 12 months, manufacturers that utilized IRC professional services avoided 7,197 layoffs while adding 1,462 full-time workers to their rosters. They also realized $796.8 million in retained sales and secured $256.4 million of new customer orders as results of their IRC advisement and engagements. In addition to growing their workforces and increasing their top-line revenue numbers, companies that performed consultative projects with their regional IRC reduced their non-personnel operating costs by $187.1 million over the past 12 months, avoided $36 million of unnecessary expenditures, and invested more than $376.8 million in new equipment, facility expansion, advanced technologies and workforce training. Pennsylvania’s IRC initiative consists of seven affiliates: DVIRC, Catalyst Connection, the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC), MANTEC, the Manufacturers’ Resource Center (MRC), NEPIRC and NWIRC. “Over the past year, more than 1,100 manufacturers called upon their regional IRC to help them grow their business, implement new technologies, overcome strategic challenges and build a more robust and skilled workforce. We’re impressed with the results reported by this sampling of our client base while also acknowledging that the true extent of the IRCs’ impact upon our manufacturing economy are well in excess of those represented here,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, president & CEO of NEPIRC, the IRC that services manufacturers across northeastern, northern and north central Pennsylvania. The revenue, cost savings, regional investment and job impacts reported by 575 IRC clients was gathered by an independent market research firm and confirmed by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
NEPIRC Releases 2023 Impact Study Results Throughout 2023, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) provided assistance to 183 regional small and mid-sized manufacturers. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program office recently released a report summarizing the one-year financial and operational impacts of those services based upon voluntary surveys completed by a sampling of those companies over the past 12 months. In total, 74 companies participated in the survey process. Collectively, they reported dynamic results. The 74 companies attributed a total of $157.9 million of incremental revenue in 2023 to the assistance and advisement they obtained from NEPIRC. These additional revenues, coupled with $12.8 million of annual savings, allowed those same companies to create and retain 1,051 regional manufacturing jobs and invest more than $56.4 million in expansion, modernization and workforce training. More than 93% of the companies surveyed felt that NEPIRC’s services improved their overall competitiveness and nearly 91% indicated that they would refer NEPIRC to other manufacturing firms in need of technical assistance in the areas of continuous improvement, leadership development, technology integration, safety or industry certification. “Throughout 2023, we saw strong demand of our services and training programs and were optimistic that the impact we’re generating for our clients and region would be impressive,” explains Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC’s president and CEO. “But these results exceed even our most lofty internal expectations, and we’re very proud of our staff, the manufacturers we serve and their workforce for being so successful.” Based upon the impact reported by its clients, NEPIRC’s performance places the organization as a top-performer across the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Network and within the top six of more than 50 MEP affiliates nationally in key metrics, such as client reported cost savings, new revenue, retained revenue, regional investment, job creation and job retention. In addition to providing manufacturers with expert services, training programs, and on-site assessments to enhance their resiliency, profitability, workforce practices and long-term growth, NEPIRC also supports the manufacturing community through its Manufacturing Jobs Board, Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team, Manufacturer of the Month campaign and other efforts that support the industrial community. More details regarding NEPIRC’s regional impact and its programs to bolster manufacturing growth are available by contacting Eric@NEPIRC.com.
NEPIRC’S Dream Team Expands Outreach to More Than 7,700 Students The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center’s (NEPIRC’s) Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team program continued its mission to educate and inspire the region’s future workforce with more than 40 speaking engagements in 2023. Since the program’s launch in January 2023, NEPIRC’s Dream Team Ambassadors participated in 16 career exploration days, 23 in-school presentations and two summer camps. Collectively, these activities engaged with students from more than 40 schools and led to more than 7,700 student interactions and exchanges at high schools, colleges and organizations throughout NEPIRC’s 11-county region. “In its first year of existence, NEPIRC’s Dream Team has surpassed the PA Department of Education and PA Department of Community and Economic Development goals for the program by more than 100% while recruiting twice as many Ambassadors from twice as many companies and presenting to more than ten times as many students as expected,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO of NEPIRC. The Dream Team Ambassador program has also exceeded the expectations of students and school administrators from throughout the region. “The Dream Team program has exceeded every expectation and goal set forth since its inception. Through student surveys and positive feedback from school administrators, the Dream Team has proved successful in its objective to change the conversation and perception regarding modern manufacturing careers,” said Jenelle Osborne, Dream Team program coordinator. “Every school our Dream Team has been involved with in either classroom presentations or career exploration days has asked us to come back again to speak to another group of students or participate in an upcoming career fair.” Gabrielle Pidgeon, career counselor at the Carbondale Area High School, has had several interactions with Dream Team Ambassadors. She sees firsthand the positive impact the program is having on her students. “I’ve seen how NEPIRC’s Dream Team Ambassadors are connecting with our students in a real way. To date, our school has engaged with the Dream Team several times, with additional presentations scheduled for this school year. The first Dream Team engagement at Carbondale High School consisted of an ambassador coming in to speak with a small group of students. That student group had such a positive response to the presentation. It also helped reframe my thinking of what manufacturing is, so it was a learning experience for all of us in the room that day,” said Pidgeon. “As a result of the numerous Dream Team visits, the Carbondale High School students are having real conversations with the ambassadors instead of just listening to someone talk to them.” Ambassadors typically bring samples of their company’s products with them — including cans, boxes, military helmets, or sections of heavy construction cables — to the classroom and career exploration day events to help spur interest and conversations with the students. Ask any ambassador and they will say they benefit from the student interactions as much as the students do. Dream Team Ambassador Max McCabe, project manager at Cheetah Chassis in Berwick, had the opportunity to speak with high school students at Northwest Area High School where his grandfather was once the principal. He credits his grandfather’s strong work ethic along with his mother’s advice for the reasons behind pursuing a career in manufacturing. McCabe knows the future of manufacturing in the region rests on the interest of today’s high school students pursuing careers with manufacturing companies. “I think it’s important to recognize that if I am going to have a future in manufacturing, I will need the generations after me to be interested as well. That means getting out there and showing people what goes on in the factories and what type of great opportunities are available to them. I take pride in being a voice that advocates for manufacturing careers, and being an ambassador is a great way to do it,” said McCabe. The PA Department of Education recognized the Dream Team’s efforts and invited NEPIRC to present during a virtual Career Ready PA Coalition Best Practices seminar last June. “The Career Ready PA Coalition team serves to support career and workforce readiness opportunities across the state. Their connections are invaluable in creating awareness statewide to build career pathways for all learners. Our topic of discussion was ‘NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team: An Innovative Approach to Career Exploration and Awareness,’ where we shared the Dream Team’s objectives to raise awareness of the amazing products made in our region, modern technologies used by manufacturing companies and the great careers available in the manufacturing sector,” said Esoda. The Dream Team program gained an overwhelming amount of support from school districts and manufacturing companies in year one. The program has also formed partnerships with multiple regional economic development and workforce partners, including the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, the Berwick Industrial Development Association, the Lackawanna County Workforce Investment & Opportunity Act Board and the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission. The Dream Team was also recognized as a best practice at conferences led by the Northeast Intermediate Unit (NEIU) 18 as well as the PA Department of Education. NEPIRC’s school outreach efforts are made possible by the Pennsylvania Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant approved by the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) in 2022. Information about the NEPIRC Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team Program can be found on the program’s new website, NEPIRC.com/DreamTeam. School faculty and administrators interested in having a Dream Team Ambassador speak at a career fair, at a specific classroom or other school event should contact Jenelle Osborne, Dream Team project coordinator, via email at Jenelle@NEPIRC.com.
NEPIRC CEO Appointed to Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced the appointment of 10 individuals, including Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC), to the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC). The full roster of appointees, consisting of tribal, local, regional and state representatives, includes: Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO, Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center Sam Cho, commissioner, Port of Seattle James Collard, director of planning and economic development, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Emily Desai, deputy director of international affairs and trade, California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Yusuf Hakeem, Tennessee State House Representative Rory Hoskins, mayor of Forest Park, Illinois Mike Matson, mayor of Davenport, Iowa Laurence Reszetar, director of international business strategy, Minnesota Trade Office Daphnee Sainvil, division manager, Government Affairs and Economic Development, City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida Eugene Seroka, executive director, The Port of Los Angeles “This highly qualified group of stakeholders and elected officials represent diverse backgrounds, interests and priorities, and I congratulate them on joining this important committee,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “The IGPAC is a critical link that ensures USTR’s work is responsive to needs of all people in the United States,” she added. The new appointees will join five existing members of the committee. The IGPAC provides general policy advice to the United States Trade Representative on issues involving trade and development that have a significant relationship to the affairs of U.S. state and local governments. Advisement areas may include negotiation objectives and bargaining positions prior to entering into multinational trade agreements, the anticipated or actual impacts of implementing trade agreements, ongoing or other matters relating to previously executed trade agreements or general matters regarding the trade policies of the United States. The Committee is comprised of members who have expertise in general trade, investment and development issues. As a member of the committee, Esoda will represent the concerns and opinions of small and mid-sized domestic manufacturers. Esoda brings more than 20 years of economic development experience, coupled with private consulting and business advising expertise. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Scranton, a master’s degree in accounting from Binghamton University and certification in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University. He is currently pursuing a business strategy certificate from Cornell University.
NEPIRC Marketing Manager Appointed to National Steering Committee The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) announces that Chelsey Coslett, manager of marketing and stakeholder engagement, recently accepted an appointment to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network’s (MEPNN’s) marketing steering committee. As a member of the MEPNN marketing steering committee, Coslett joins 10 other marketing professionals from across the nation. The committee is responsible for setting the overall direction of, and planning the activities for, the MEPNN marketing working group and community of practitioners as well as providing input on tactics for the MEPNN national awareness campaign. The steering committee also provides support, guidance and oversight to the marketing working group and identifies communication and branding priorities for the National Network, which consists of 51 MEP Centers working across 430 service locations with over 1,450 professionals. MEPNN marketing steering committee members are committed to upholding the values and objectives of the working group and actively participate, provide thoughtful input and focus on the best interests of the group and the National Network. “The MEP National Network marketing and branding effort strives not only to make sure that our nation’s small and mid-sized manufacturers know about the services available through Network affiliates but, of equal importance, create a more accurate public image and impression of manufacturing and raise awareness about the criticality of manufacturing to our nation and the value of industrial careers,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC president and CEO. “We’re delighted that Ms. Coslett was chosen, based upon her expertise and what she’s done for our organization, clients and region, to be a leader in moving the National Network’s marketing strategies forward.” NEPIRC looks forward to Coslett’s participation on the MEPNN marketing steering committee, as it further positions NEPIRC as a national player in the Network.
NEPIRC Adds SafeLandUSA Certification to Expanded Safety Training Portfolio The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) announces that Brian Matyjevich, Lean enterprise consultant and authorized OSHA outreach trainer, recently obtained SafeLandUSA trainer certification from West Virginia University. SafeLandUSA training is an eight-hour course that meets the requirements of several regulations pertaining to safety standards applicable to the natural gas and Marcellus Shale industry, particularly API RP 75 and API RP T-1. SafeLandUSA training enables employees to recognize potential workplace hazards and follow the safety requirements of an industry with which they may have limited familiarity. Although SafeLandUSA was developed with the oil and gas industry in mind, many topics presented are applicable to other energy and manufacturing sectors. “I’m honored to offer training that will empower oil and gas workers to make safe decisions for their livelihood,” said Matyjevich. “The results of this training include creating a more efficient, sustainable and productive workforce that drives progress and shapes the future of energy,” he added. As NEPIRC continues its mission to support the manufacturing sector by providing exceptional consulting and training services, its SafeLandUSA offering adds another element to its comprehensive safety training portfolio. NEPIRC is confident that this development will contribute to a safer working environment for clients and their employees. NEPIRC offers OSHA 10 & 30, HAZWOPER, Forklift and 35 other safety courses along with a free confidential EHS Gemba walk.
NEPIRC CEO Appointed to Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced the appointment of 10 individuals, including Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC), to the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC). The full roster of appointees, consisting of tribal, local, regional and state representatives, includes: Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO, Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center Sam Cho, commissioner, Port of Seattle James Collard, director of planning and economic development, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Emily Desai, deputy director of international affairs and trade, California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Yusuf Hakeem, Tennessee State House Representative Rory Hoskins, mayor of Forest Park, Illinois Mike Matson, mayor of Davenport, Iowa Laurence Reszetar, director of international business strategy, Minnesota Trade Office Daphnee Sainvil, division manager, Government Affairs and Economic Development, City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida Eugene Seroka, executive director, The Port of Los Angeles “This highly qualified group of stakeholders and elected officials represent diverse backgrounds, interests and priorities, and I congratulate them on joining this important committee,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “The IGPAC is a critical link that ensures USTR’s work is responsive to needs of all people in the United States,” she added. The new appointees will join five existing members of the committee. The IGPAC provides general policy advice to the United States Trade Representative on issues involving trade and development that have a significant relationship to the affairs of U.S. state and local governments. Advisement areas may include negotiation objectives and bargaining positions prior to entering into multinational trade agreements, the anticipated or actual impacts of implementing trade agreements, ongoing or other matters relating to previously executed trade agreements or general matters regarding the trade policies of the United States. The Committee is comprised of members who have expertise in general trade, investment and development issues. As a member of the committee, Esoda will represent the concerns and opinions of small and mid-sized domestic manufacturers. Esoda brings more than 20 years of economic development experience, coupled with private consulting and business advising expertise. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Scranton, a master’s degree in accounting from Binghamton University and certification in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University. He is currently pursuing a business strategy certificate from Cornell University.
NEPIRC RELEASES STATEWIDE MANUFACTURING REPORT Report highlights Pennsylvania as sixth greatest industrial economy in the nation The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) today released its Pennsylvania Manufacturing Industry Report 2023, an in-depth report on the impact of manufacturing across the Commonwealth. NEPIRC researched and produced this report independently of any other organization. “This report objectively presents the most important metrics, trends and measures relative to Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy and uses unbiased data and rigorous analysis to compare the Commonwealth’s industrial economy to other sectors within the state and to those of our peer group states across the nation,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO of NEPIRC, when announcing the publication. Esoda went on to explain that while, for the sake of analysis, the report occasionally presents the manufacturing sector as “vertical” – meaning a sector distinct from other segments of the economy such as agriculture, energy or health care – “manufacturing is actually much more “horizontal” than “vertical” because it is essential to the success of a multitude of other sectors. “Simply put,” said Esoda, “Pennsylvania cannot compete and win in arenas such as aerospace, agribusiness, alternative energy, biotechnology, infrastructure, pharmaceutical readiness or natural resource utilization without the resident manufacturing capability to support those sectors.” The statistics detailed within the report illustrate the importance of manufacturing throughout the Commonwealth. For example, across Pennsylvania manufacturing accounts for: More than $116 billion in Gross State Product (GSP) – or 13.8% of the Commonwealth’s total GSP Over 575,000 full-time jobs Nearly $41 billion in annual wages paid to employees Over $43 billion in exports to other nations. “While impressive in its own right, the data in the report actually understates the true impact of Pennsylvania’s manufacturers because it reflects only the employment, wages, output and economic activity directly related to Pennsylvania’s nearly 15,000 manufacturing firms. Economists recognize that manufacturing has among the highest employment, earnings and sales multiplier effects of any industry – meaning that each dollar of sales and net earnings recorded by a manufacturing firm and each direct manufacturing job supports a multitude of sales, earnings and jobs in downstream industries such as services, transportation and logistics, retail and so forth,” explained Esoda, “So the true impact of our great manufacturers is exponentially higher when those indirect benefits are considered.” The report highlights that over the past 15 years Pennsylvania’s manufacturing output increased by 49.3% – from $77.8 billion to $116.3 billion. That rate of growth surpassed that of competitor states Michigan (39.6%), Ohio (39.6%), North Carolina (28.1%) and New York (22.2%). Pennsylvania’s industrial growth even surpassed that of high-growth states like Indiana (46.9%) and Texas (45.9%). The expansion of Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy also enabled the state to move from the eighth largest industrial economy in the nation to the sixth largest. In addition to being the sixth largest goods producing state in the country, Pennsylvania holds the sixth position in terms of number of manufacturing jobs. Except for during the pandemic, Pennsylvania has consistently added manufacturing jobs and has risen to become home to nearly 4.5% of America’s total advanced manufacturing workforce. Nearly one in ten working Pennsylvanians report to a manufacturing profession each workday. Each of those workers share in $41 billion in wages paid annually and exceptional benefits packages, which frequently include employee-sponsored retirement plans, healthcare coverage, tuition assistance and generous paid vacations and holidays. NEPIRC published the report as part of its ongoing efforts to support the manufacturing industry, raise awareness of manufacturing careers and keep the manufacturing support programs at the forefront of the minds of legislators and policy makers. “It’s sometimes easy to overlook a cornerstone of our economy that has upheld the Commonwealth for decades in favor of things that seem more trendy or glamorous on the surface but generate only a fraction of the benefits and impact,” said Esoda. “Our intention with this report is to ensure that leaders across Pennsylvania recognize the criticality of our manufacturing industry and the value of the programs and entities that contribute to their enhanced competitiveness, resiliency and success in a global economy,” he added. NEPIRC is one of seven Industrial Resource Centers (IRCs) across Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania IRC Program, supported by the Manufacturing PA initiative within the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce, represents the Commonwealth’s flagship program for enhancing the vibrancy, strength and growth of the Commonwealth’s small and mid-sized manufacturers. The IRCs are also supported by the National Institute of Standards & Technology as Manufacturing Extension Partnership affiliates. According to the report, over the past 10 years, Pennsylvania IRC clients have realized the following benefits by working with their local Center: $1.76 billion in top-line growth $5 billion in retention of at-risk sales $846 million in operating cost savings 55,477 jobs created and retained. The IRCs also enabled their clients to invest nearly $2 billion in expansion, modernization and workforce upskilling in Pennsylvania over the past 10 years. The complete 20-page Pennsylvania Manufacturing Industry Report 2023 can be viewed on and downloaded from the NEPIRC website, www.nepirc.com. Hard copies are also available by contacting NEPIRC. For questions about the report, and for more information, please contact Eric Joseph Esoda via email at Eric@NEPIRC.com. NEPIRC is a not-for-profit organization providing world-class technical, engineering, consultative, and training services to small and mid-sized manufacturers across an 11-county region of northeastern, northern and parts of central Pennsylvania. More information can be found at www.NEPIRC.com or via email to Eric Joseph Esoda at Eric@NEPIRC.com. Download Report
