Brain Gain in Erie, PA

By Jim Martin
jim.martin@timesnews.com

Bucking trends apparently has its rewards.

Eriez Magnetics, which proved sending jobs to China doesn't always mean losing them here, was honored Thursday night as manufacturing employer of the year by the Economic Development Corp. of Erie County.

Erie Management Group, which showed how to breathe new life into an old industrial site, picked up the honor as nonmanufacturing employer of the year at the EDCEC's 25th annual dinner.

The two companies represent bright spots in a local economy that's had its share of disappointment in recent months.

While other companies were leaving town, Eriez Magnetics has been busy in recent months expanding its plant capacity by 25 percent and adding 40 new employees for a total of 269 in Erie. At the same time, the Erie-based company continued to ramp up operations and sales efforts at nine overseas plants.
There's no need to choose between one or the other, said Tim Shuttleworth, the company's chief executive.

"There is a misperception, unfortunately, that it is one or the other," he said. "There is a big enough market that we are growing at home and we are growing overseas. There is enough business that people should be involved in the global economy and they should be exporting more."

Founded in 1942, Eriez Magnetics is hardly a newcomer.

"We've been here so long we didn't feel like we needed the recognition," Shuttleworth said.

He understands, however, that his company's success is a bit of welcome news.
"It's uplifting for the community in light of GAF, Steris and Brake Parts," Shuttleworth said. "People need a cheerleader and we are happy to do that."

The second honoree of the evening did its own bit to raise the community's spirits.

EMG, an investment group led by Samuel "Pat" Black III, has been working to fill the void and the space left by the departure of International Paper.

EMG has already launched or plans to launch seven new firms, including Lake Erie Biofuels. Those companies employ about 100 people, but that number is expected to grow to 300.

"That property is an icon, a symbol of the past and Pat is proud to have the opportunity to restore it -- to bring manufacturing back to that site," said Stan Shumway, the company's chief executive.
EMG is rebuilding an old, industrial site, but the company's future isn't rooted in nostalgia, Shumway said.

"Clearly there is still room for new investment in Erie for the people who are willing to look to the future,"