Sunday 2/1 Erie Times Editorial Page - Our view: Obama could learn from Erie businesses
President Barack Obama promised to make job growth his top priority for 2010.
Perhaps the president could swing through Erie the next time he hits the road, to meet Ernie Carlson and Bill and Diane DeSarro.
Carlson owns Accuspec Electronics LLC, honored as Employer of the Year Thursday night at the annual dinner of the Economic Development Corporation of Erie County. The DeSarros were named Entrepreneurs of the Year for their business, Bay City OrthoCare.
The Employer of the Year finalists were Moore Research Services Inc. and Scott Enterprises LLC. Accents by the Bay and Beachwood Vista LLC were Entrepreneur of the Year finalists.
These award winners and finalists could provide some insights about how they've grown their companies. They could also speak about the role of public-private partnerships in boosting the economy and present a wish list of steps to aid small businesses like their own.
Seizing opportunity during the recession, Carlson invested $3 million in the company's new 60,000-square-foot headquarters at the J. Robert Baldwin Industrial Park. The company, which employs about 125 people, builds circuit boards and cables for various customers, including GE Transportation and the medical industry.
"It was absolutely necessary for us to do this," Carlson said in an April interview. The expansion provides the company with more capacity at a facility that boasts high-efficiency lighting, humidity controls, a high-tech production line and a special floor that dissipates static electric charges.
The investment in a new plant has allowed Accuspec to improve its on-time delivery rate by 34 percent.
Carlson didn't just talk about factory size and delivery rates when he discussed his investment. He also exuded confidence that when the economy turns around, his company will be ready to meet expected demand. He hopes to double or triple sales in coming years. "I think it's going to be very attainable. Employee-wise, we are going to add people and staff as we grow. Right now, we have some extra capacity, so it will take some time."