Officials at a manufacturing caucus on Tuesday said Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry was the eighth-largest in the country, with an economic impact of $92 billion.
The comments came during the Manufacturing Caucus Roundtable held in-person and online on Feb. 1. The event drew participants from all over the state, including 12 companies and 12 lawmakers, who discussed how to make the state’s economy stronger.
“From Erie to Philadelphia, manufacturing in Pennsylvania is important to our caucus because Pennsylvania is a place where businesses want to come and stay,” said Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, (D-Erie) chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee. “We want to hear from manufacturers on what they need to make Pennsylvania more attractive for businesses.”
Participants in the caucus included Metal Integrity East and West, Restek Corporation, Lake Erie Rubber and Manufacturing, GeorgeKo Industries, ILSCO Extrusion, The Fredericks Company, C.L. Sturkey Inc., and Lehigh Valley Plastics. State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus,
Manufacturing companies participating in today’s roundtable included various sectors from plastic fabrication to consumer goods. Participants from across the Commonwealth traveled to participate in person or logged on, including Metal Integrity East and West, Restek Corporation, Diamondback Covers, Lake Erie Rubber and Manufacturing, GeorgeKo Industries, ILSCO Extrusion, The Fredericks Company, C.L. Sturkey Inc., and Lehigh Valley Plastics.
The House Democratic Policy Committee partnered with Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh), chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus also joined the roundtable.
“We are always interested in hearing from business owners about the challenges businesses are facing in PA,” Schlossberg said. “We love being in State College and today, and I want to thank Kevin from Pennsylvania IRC for helping to make this roundtable what it was.”
The discussion covered supply chain issues, efficiency and sustainability initiatives, and the state’s tax structure, among other issues. One participant mentioned how the pandemic has brought about a need for childcare and complicated how companies attract new people and retain others. Other issues included the need for younger people to be educated about the trade industry.