A VITAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY — The Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, Puskarich Accounting and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., recognized more than a dozen local industries for the role they play in the local economy and community at a luncheon Thursday in observance of National Manufacturing Week. On hand for the occasion were, from left, front, Lorie Terry, plant manager for Crown Holdings’ Weirton location; Shannon Giambroni, national retail accounts manager for Fiesta Tableware; Mike Moore, co-owner of the Bulldog Rack Co.; Adam Ambrose, production and process manager for Pietro Fiorentini USA; Jeff Taylor, plant manager for Merco Marine; Steve Fenell, president of Sal Chemical; and Jim Bogolea, general manager-human resources and public relations for Wheeling-Nippon Steel; and back: Brandy Puskarich of Puskarich Accounting; Jacob Keeney, BDC assistant executive director; Roseann Ferro, representative of Manchin; Debbie Puskarich of Puskarich Accounting; and Mary Jo Guidi, representative of Manchin. -- Warren Scott

WEIRTON — The recognition of many local industries Thursday offered leaders of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle an opportunity to reflect on the opportunities available through them for young job seekers and the extent to which the local economy has diversified.

Representatives of the economic development agency and Puskarich Accounting organized a luncheon in Al’s Community Room at the Lauttamus Event Center to express appreciation to more than a dozen manufacturing businesses in Brooke and Hancock counties in observance of National Manufacturing Week, which begins today and runs through Oct. 14.

Joining them were U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who issued proclamations for each of the businesses and was represented by staff members Mary Jo Guidi and Roseann Ferro at the event.

The proclamations acknowledged each for “its many contributions to the manufacturing sector of our state,” adding each is “a vital part of our legacy of excellence and our economy, thus improving the lives of all people of West Virginia.”

It was a sentiment expressed by Debbie Puskarich, owner of Puskarich Accounting, and Jacob Keeney, assistant executive director of the BDC.

As they stepped forward to be recognized, many industry leaders expressed thanks to a dedicated, hard-working staff who, in many cases, served the businesses for many years and through challenging times, including the pandemic.

Keeney said many of them have indicated that as they have grown, it’s become more difficult to find new employees.

Some have suggested that when local steel mills were laying off workers 20 or 30 years ago, many high school graduates were encouraged to pursue white-collar careers, resulting in a decline in local residents entering the manufacturing industry.

Keeney said whatever the reason, young men and women preparing to enter the workforce and others seeking jobs should be aware the starting hourly wage for local jobs in manufacturing often is about $25 an hour and those who have completed on-the-job training can earn as much as $100,000 per year.

Keeney said he and Puskarich hope to work with local school officials to inform local middle and high school students about opportunities available in manufacturing.

Puskarich noted such efforts can help to reduce the migration of many younger residents to other states.

Keeney said steel mills continue to be a major part of the local economy and are updating their production facilities, while many other types of businesses have opened in Brooke and Hancock counties in recent years.

He noted the BDC’s recent success in bringing Pure Watercraft, a producer of electric boats and boat engines, to the Beech Bottom Industrial Park and predicted more progressive manufacturers will follow.

“We’re seeing new technology (represented in the local businesses) and that’s exciting. We’re diversifying our manufacturing sector,” he said.

On hand for Thursday’s luncheon were representatives of the following businesses:

— Fiesta Tableware, formerly the Homer-Laughlin China Co., which is famous for its colorful, art deco line of dishware. The 150-year-old Newell company was represented by Shannon Giambroni, who said she is the fifth generation of her family to have worked there.

— Wheeling-Nippon Steel of Follansbee, which for more than 30 years has applied protective, corrosive-resistant coatings to millions of tons of steel for use in agriculture, automotive manufacturing, construction and other fields. Jim Bogolea, general manager of human resources and public relations, said in recent years the company developed ZAM, a zinc aluminum and magnesium alloy coating found to be super resistant to corrosion and scratching.

— Merco Marine, a 30 year old Wellsburg company that has designed and built marinas for public and private entities throughout the U.S. and abroad and has produced and sold hundreds of products for dock systems.

— Crown Holdings, a leading supplier of metal packaging for an assortment of food and other products. Lorie Terry, manager of Crown’s plant at the Half Moon Industrial Park, said shoppers will find the Crown logo on containers for spaghetti sauce, peanut butter and jelly, among other foods.

— Pietro Fiorentini USA, which produces pressure regulators and valves for the oil and gas industry. Based in Italy, the company opened its first American facility in Weirton in 2017. Adam Ambrose, production and process manager for the plant, said it currently employs 45 but is expected to exceed that in the not distant future.

— Sal Chemical, a 52-year-old company that has operated in Weirton for 47 years and packages bulk chemicals for use in steel, oil and gas production, power generation and other applications. Steve Fenell, its president, said the company’s Ohio Valley presence has been beneficial through both the convenience of its transportation arteries and the dedication of its workforce.

— Bulldog Rack Co., which produces industrial pallet racks used to store skids containing products and materials for various industrial and retail companies. Mike Moore, its co-owner, said about 100 people are employed at its Weirton and Toronto locations.

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