Manairco Inc. (Manairco) and Hughey and Phillips LLC (H&P) announced that the companies entered into a definitive merger agreement under which H&P will acquire substantially all the assets of Manairco. Manairco is a well-established sales and manufacturing company with a reputation for excellence in the manufacture and design of airfield lighting systems and accessories. The company has a broad installed base throughout North America and across the globe. Manairco is an industry leader in both product quality and customer service.

Upon the closing of the merger transaction, Manairco’s product and service offerings will be added to the Hughey and Phillips product offerings and sold through the combined global sales force. Manairco’s existing operations and customer service will be maintained at its current manufacturing facility in Mansfield.

“Manairco has built exceptional relationships across the airfield lighting industry over the years with its broad product offerings and commitment to meeting the needs of its customers,” said Gayle Gorman-Green, president and CEO of Manairco. “We believe this merger represents an opportunity to combine the technical and customer service of the companies across a broader spectrum of customers and geographies. I look forward to continuing to lead the Manairco team at this exciting time.”

“We at Hughey and Phillips are delighted about this opportunity to work closely with Manairco’s strong team and its existing customers to bring customized solutions to the airfield lighting industry,” said Steve Schneider, president and CEO of Hughey and Phillips. “This partnership allows Hughey and Phillips to continue its expansion into the airfield lighting market by offering a combination of lighting and marking products as well as power management solutions for airports and heliports both large and small.”

About Hughey and Phillips LLC
Hughey and Phillips is one member of a conglomerate of companies serving the aviation, transportation, security and medical markets from its headquarters in Urbana, Ohio. H&P is a global leader in obstruction and airport products and has been serving the safety needs of the transportation industry since the 1930’s. H&P offers complete solutions for lighting systems designed and manufactured by H&P in the USA including strobe and LED offerings. The company has a full engineering staff providing complete support and design in optical, electrical and mechanical disciplines. Contact Hughey and Phillips at www.hugheyandphillips.com.

About Manairco Inc.
Manairco, a woman owned small business concern, has served the airport/heliport lighting market with quality, economical lighting equipment since 1955. Manairco offers a broad range of lighting and marking products as well as power management solutions for a variety of aviation applications. Contact Manairco at www.manairco.com.
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Submitted by Hughey and Phillips, LLC.

Read more about the Simon Kenton Trail at www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2017/october/13/ohio-s-simon-kenton-trail/.

Starting or expanding a business requires hard work, attention to detail and numerous points of contact, to turn plans into reality.

The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) simplifies the process as the starting point for anyone wanting to establish or expand business in Champaign County. And the CEP recently added to its website a helpful guide – the CEP Business Playbook.

The Playbook outlines key elements involved in starting or growing a business and the appropriate agencies to call on for help. The Playbook covers details such as writing a business plan, registering a business, finding available property with the appropriate zoning, acquiring necessary licenses and permits, business loans, marketing, utilities, and finding and retaining employees.

“The Playbook is a good resource to review before contacting us at the CEP to discuss your plans and develop a strategy for achieving your goals,” Marcia Bailey, director of the CEP, said.

“As Champaign County’s designated economic development agency, the CEP serves as the place for business developers to start. We can connect you with all the resources needed to start or grow a business, through our partnerships with local governments, state and regional economic development agencies, real estate agencies, utilities, lenders, workforce development and others,” Bailey said.

The Business Playbook can be accessed from the “CEP Business Playbook” tab on the top navigation bar of the CEP website.

The Playbook was developed with the help of the Small Business Development Center in Springfield, which serves Champaign County, Wittenberg University business students and Hannah Tukesbrey Kilbride, CEP administrative assistant.

For information on starting or expanding a business in Champaign County, contact the CEP at (937) 653-7200 or info@cepohio.com.

The CEP hosted a breakfast and awards ceremony last week to review recent successes and recognize manufacturing firms for their efforts in Champaign County. So far this year, local firms have invested more than $80 million and added more than 100 new jobs, mostly through expansions, said Marcia Bailey, economic development director for the CEP.

Much of that success is the result of local companies working together to resolve common challenges, like training and worker retention, she said.

“For the manufacturing partnership we’ve created, we’re seeing the results of that,” Bailey said.

Several Champaign County companies announced expansions earlier this year. Most recently, Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc. said last month it will add about 2,600 square feet to its facility at 700 W. Court St. in Urbana. The company, which produces specialty insulation for transformers, will also add 20 new jobs and spend at least $500,000 in new equipment as part of an expansion valued at around $2.7 million.

Navistar also broke ground on a roughly $12 million project to build a new distribution center and add 40 new jobs in Champaign County. Auto parts manufacturers like KTH Parts Industries in St. Paris and Parker Trutec also announced significant investments and expansions in the past 12 months.

Area companies and the CEP have developed several programs to boost the county’s workforce, Bailey said, and there is some evidence that’s paying off. But she said it’s also clear there’s still more work to do.

Attendance at a camp hosted by the Champaign Family YMCA has tripled its attendance since it started three years ago, Bailey said. The Inventor’s Camp enlists local manufacturing firms to teach students about skilled trades.

Manufacturers also host a booth at the Champaign County Fair to make residents more aware of the products made in Champaign County. And the CEP worked with local companies to develop a website allowing local businesses to post jobs available within the county. Manufacturers have also increasingly sought to provide internships to area high school students to make them more aware of careers in the industry.

Information provided by the CEP shows that the efforts appear to be attracting more young workers. In 2015, only about 5 percent of workers in the industry in Champaign County were between 19 and 24 years old, Bailey said. That number was about 9 percent this year.

Still, attracting skilled workers remains a challenge, she said.

“There’s not a competitions for products,” she said of local companies. “But we need the workforce to get those products out.”
By the numbers:
3,832 — Manufacturing employees in Champaign County in 2015
3,725 — Manufacturing employees in Champaign County in 2016
4,029 — Manufacturing employees in Champaign County in 2017
$64,021 — Average earnings for manufacturing in 2017

By the numbers:
3,832 — Manufacturing employees in Champaign County in 2015
3,725 — Manufacturing employees in Champaign County in 2016
4,029 — Manufacturing employees in Champaign County in 2017
$64,021 — Average earnings for manufacturing in 2017

By Christopher Selmek, Urbana Daily Citizen Staff Writer
A Fastlane survey of Champaign County manufacturing engineers and their employers reveal that more than 4,000 county residents are employed in manufacturing and that the average wage for county manufacturing employees is $64,000 a year.

This information was presented to around 30 representatives of area manufacturing companies and their allies in education and government who attended a breakfast hosted by the Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) at the County Community Center on Wednesday.

According to the slideshow presented by county Economic Director Marcia Bailey, the purpose of the Manufacturing Human Resources Council is to provide education and awareness to the community and public schools regarding manufacturing opportunities in Champaign County.

"Our HR council started about 6 years ago, and we said this is what our goal was going to be, and we've stayed at this goal, and we're starting to see how much change actually has happened in the perception of what manufacturing is about," Bailey said. "That's what this is all about, changing that perception."

In the 3 years since we've joined the partnership, the excitement from the manufacturing industry in particular has been just overwhelming, and there's so much potential," said Todd Michael, president of the Champaign Economic Partnership. "It used to be that the goal was to bring in more manufacturing or more businesses, but it's just as important to have employees and to have educated employees. So it's chicken and the egg and we're trying to bring both simultaneously for good, steady, structured growth.

Mostly Men in Local Manufacturing Jobs
Bailey noted that the male-to-female ratio​ of employees is unbalanced, but that some area manufacturers like Sarica Manufacturing like to have female employees because of the intricate nature of the work and because female hands are smaller. 

"Ninety percent of our engineers are males so we keep telling the young females you have a great opportunity in Champaign County to become engineers in manufacturing," she said. "We need more females in manufacturing. It's also important that the students understand that this is the income you can make as an engineer in manufacturing in Champaign County, $37 to almost $41 an hour, which is not chump change. We're trying to get as much of this out as possible and really appreciate Fastlane for gathering this information."

Within the last several years there has been an increase in workers ages 19-24 at county manufacturing companies, and Bailey said she hopes this number increases. Part of the CEP's outreach to area youth has included a YMCA camp called "Inventor's Workshop," in which area manufacturers lead children ages 6-12 in projects such as building Lego block towers and transistor radios. 

Other outreach efforts include a booth at the Champaign County Fair and the annual Manufacturing Day event, held last Friday, in which high school students toured local manufacturing companies.

"Everything that's around as of today was made by someone, and it's just amazing to learn that," Bailey said.

Near the end of the breakfast, the county commissioners presented proclamations to several of the company representatives, thanking them for their service to the community.

"I just want to say thank you to all the companies and manufacturers and businesses that are represented here and those who might not have been able to make it," said Commissioner Steve Hess. "You guys are a big part of the engine that drives this county, so thank you for all your contributions to the community and all that you do. Keep up the good work."

The building Thursday’s presentation was held in is the third large building the company has added since the first building, Gummel said.

“While we’ve been fortunate to be able to continue to expand over the years, our purpose remains steadfastly the same as it was in 1988 and reflects the purpose of (Nihon Parkerizing Co. founder) Mr. Yuji Satomi back in 1928,” Gummel said. “That purpose is to contribute to the advancement of society by applying our technology and skill to honor the customer with good product on time, to help raise the dignity of life by providing jobs for individuals so they can support themselves and their families, and to be a conscious corporate citizen in the community.

“God willing with this building and this equipment we plan to do exactly that by applying our determination and our hard work in the coming years.”

Urbana Mayor Bill Bean said the city has provided sewer service to Parker Trutec which is one of the larger users for the city’s new water reclamation facility. “

​In turn, Parker Trutec has provided jobs for our citizens here in Urbana and the Champaign County area,” Bean said. “You are truly the lifeblood of our community by providing jobs and a tax base that makes our community one of the best – if not the best – community in Ohio. It’s this kind of partnership that makes living, working and doing business in Urbana and Champaign County a real pleasure.

“I would like to thank Parker Trutec, Nihon Parkerizing Co., and Joseph Gummel for locating here in Champaign County almost 30 years ago. Thank you and may we look forward to another 30 years of your success here in Champaign County.”

Jenny Gilger, Assistant Vice President of American Honda Motor Company, said Trutec has always been a great partner for American Honda.

“We truly value and appreciate our almost 30 years of working together and we congratulate you on the expansion of your operations here in Urbana as you continue to be a valued member of the community providing stable employment,” Gilger said.

Following a ribbon cutting, attendees were given a tour of the new e-coat line.

WL-S donation
During the dedication ceremony, representatives from West Liberty-Salem received a $25,000 check from Parker Trutec towards the Tiger Strong Fieldhouse.

WL-S Athletic Director Jake Vitt said next to the school, Parker Trutec is the biggest employer in the West Liberty-Salem community. Vitt referenced the Jan. 20 shooting at West Liberty-Salem during which student Logan Cole was injured. Cole was in attendance for Thursday’s ceremony. Vitt said the school wanted a way to recognize the date and honor the first responders who responded to the school on that date. Vitt said through Cole’s wishes the school established a fund for a fieldhouse for students, athletes and the community.

“The purpose of this was to give back to our community and honor those who acted in valor and courageous acts that particular day as we had many first responders, many community members all within the surrounding area that kicked in and helped that day,” Vitt said. Vitt said the main focus of the building will be a room recognizing Cole and other past community heroes. “We’re very excited to roll this plan out … we kind of kicked it off this spring and Parker Trutec is very generous and wanted to get on board with us and this project and we appreciate that very much,” Vitt said.
​
Nick Walton can be reached at 937-652-1331 Ext. 1777 or on Twitter @UDCWalton.

By Katherine Collins and Parker Perry - Springfield News-Sun Staff Writer
High school students across Clark and Champaign counties visited local manufacturers on Friday, in an effort to educate students about the job openings available in the area and connect businesses with potential workers.

The visits were part of Manufacturing Day, recognized nationwide by the U.S. Census Bureau. The industry is the fourth largest employer in the country, according to the bureau.

Manufacturers across Ohio have had trouble filling open positions because of the drug epidemic. Many workers can’t pass a drug test, said Jeannie Seery, human resources manager at the McGregor OSMI Plant in Springfield.

“We face that every day,” she said.

The plant wants to let students know they don’t need to leave the area to get a good job.

“We hear so often that the kids in Springfield just want to get out and go other places,” Seery said. “We want them to know that Springfield is viable and the community needs them to stay here.”

And she wants students to be motivated to avoid drugs.

“They’re getting into it at such a young age … they can’t do that and be able to go into a job,” Seery said.

A group of students from Springfield High School visited the OSMI plant on Friday as well as the Yamada plant. In Champaign County, about 140 students from Triad High School and other county schools visited multiple manufacturing companies.

It was an eye-opening experience for Springfield High student Diane Meslam.

“I thought that Springfield didn’t have many job opportunities but I found out that they do,” she said.

Other students, like Springfield senior Tyler Carter, said he appreciates having a better understanding of the workplace.
“I really got to see what it’s like to work in a hands-on job and industry like that,” he said.

Marcia Bailey, with the Champaign County Economic Partnership, said having high school students explore manufacturing before they graduate shows them what type of careers available in the area.

“We have so many job opportunities in manufacturing here in Champaign County,” Bailey said. “It’s a career choice, not just a job. We want the kids in Champaign County to know what type of skills they need to get these jobs.”

Urbana High School Senior Jessica Beveroy said she’s interested in accounting and wants to find every opportunity that might be available to her. She’s open to working for a manufacturer.

“I enjoyed it a lot,” Beveroy said of the event. “I can see a lot of opportunities.”

Graham Local students also explored the manufacturing industry on Friday. It’s important for students to start thinking about potential careers as soon as possible, Graham Middle School Assistant Principal Nick Guidera said.

“Here at the middle school, we were able to bring in 12 business partners and explain everything to opportunities that range from prosthetic design, 3D printing, welding, there were plenty of different opportunities,” he said.

Even the younger students, like Graham eighth grader James Pelfrey were interested in learning about manufacturing.
“I found it pretty interesting,” he said. “I like it because you get to create something out of pretty much nothing.”
Springfield manufacturers wante to attract local students.

Complete coverage
The Springfield News-Sun digs into important stories about jobs and the economy in Clark and Champaign counties, including recent stories on local unemployment rates and how driverless cars might impact Navistar.
By the numbers
11.4M: Workers in manufacturing nationwide
4th: Largest industry in the U.S.
$56,000: Average annual pay for manufacturing employees
$639B: Payroll for the entire manufacturing sector nationwide
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Expansion and new equipment lead this Ohio coater’s growth
by TIM PENNINGTON, Editor, Products Finishing magazine
Parker Trutec’s jobbing plant in central Ohio has been a very busy place over the last few years.

General Manager Geoff Smith and a strong staff have been upgrading and expanding the company’s coatings operations in nearly every area, a step that earned Parker Trutec a Products Finishing Top Shop honor for its technology achievements.
In just the past three years, the company has:

• Improved its internal quality laboratory testing capabilities by adding a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) for substrate analysis.
• Installed two new state-of-the-art Bonderlube, zinc and manganese phosphate lines that make use of the latest automated technology to support customer growth.
• Installed a $1.5 million upgrade to its existing waste-treatment system that includes improved treatment technology designed to reduce its waste stream.

And what is the Parker Trutec team currently doing?

• Adding a 57,000-square-foot building that will house a new, large electrocoat line to complement its two existing ecoat lines.
• Planning to add a neutral descale processing tank to an existing ecoat line to meet industry-specific standards for cleaning of heavily welded metal parts.
• Adding two new solid-lubricant paint machines (chain-on-edge and conveyor) to replace dated equipment with limited capacity, in order to support continued customer volumes and growth.

“We are always seeking continuous improvement in our operations via technology and equipment improvements,” Smith says.

Parent company Nihon Parkerizing Co. established the coating plant in Urbana, Ohio, in 1988 and then built a second, heat-treatment plant in nearby Springfield in 1990. The company offers ecoating, zinc phosphate, manganese phosphate, iron phosphate, Bonderlube, solid-lubricant paints, paint stripping and black oxide at the coatings facility, and numerous types of heat-treatment and value-added services at the Springfield plant.

The company employs more than 250 full-time associates, and its annual revenue is approximately $50 million. It mainly serves the automotive, construction, agriculture, marine, military, appliance and fitness industries.

“As a true job shop providing multiple coatings services and value-added services, we must provide superior customer service and meet daily expectation of our customers, as well as provide the highest quality of product in the industry,” says Wes Russell, assistant plant manager.

The company’s directors believe Parker Trutec has been able to grow for four significant reasons: It has built up an excellent customer base over many years; it has highly dedicated associates on the plant floor; it benefits from a team of faithful and competent suppliers; and it is fortunate to be a part of a Nihon Parkerizing, which has a vast footprint globally for providing and developing advancements in surface treatment.

“The level of trust and respect among the associates and managers is strong,” says Smith, who is also a company director.
He says being named a Products Finishing Top Shop is the climax of a successful run of years that began with the previous plant manager and vice president, Mike Kleiber, during which the parent company invested heavily in Parker Trutec’s infrastructure and equipment.

“We are greatly honored and humbled to be named and recognized by an industry-leading source like Products Finishing,” Smith says. “As our business continues to develop and change to the market, we feel being associated with the Top Shops program will assist with continued growth.”  

See more at ​www.pfonline.com/articles/top-shops-new-finishing-technology-pushes-parker-trutec