Labor Quality in NEPA
Northeastern Pennsylvania continues to exceed expectations in terms of the quality, the productivity and the overall excellence of our workforce. However, you don't just have to take our word for it. The following testimonies from several of the Greater Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Pittston and Schuylkill chambers' business members tell the story of the region's strong work ethic.
"I have friends from out of state who say that we live in Mayberry. Everybody is friendly and everyone knows each other. I once joked to a friend that I moved closer to my office because the six-minute commute was too long. He said that he waits longer for the elevator in his building than it takes me to walk to work. I hear people in other areas say that they have problems with employees not caring and not showing up for work. We have had blizzards and people are stuck at home and call to apologize that they tried to come to work but had to turn back because of snowdrifts. Nobody, anywhere has a greater natural instinct and desire to work."
Joseph Durkin, P.E., Reilly Associates
"After management experiences in the Iowa, Illinois, and Colorado markets, I feel the caliber of employees entering our AdvancePCS Hanover Township facility outshine the others. Their dedication, values, and strong work ethic are evident in the quality of the work produced and our ability to grow the business quickly."
Carl Janssens, Vice President, General Manager, AdvancePCS
"Innovative technology and quality people are two keys to basing a successful, regional business in a small city such as Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. With technology, you can distribute and service your product very effectively from remote locations. However, you still need quality talent to build and operate the systems. Northeastern Pennsylvania features an abundance of both! In our experience, our region boasts a wealth of creativity just waiting to be challenged because of the numerous colleges and universities in the surrounding area. These individuals have a high level of commitment and make a large emotional investment in their jobs and communities, which forms the basis of a superior work ethic. People come to work to work, so our productivity has always been excellent while our expenses have been contained. As a regional company that specializes in supplying Workers' Compensation coverage and services, we consider our 300 employees to be among our strongest assets in serving 25,000 employers across an 18-state footprint."
Carl J. Witkowski, L.C.S.W., Executive Vice President of Information Services & Chief Administrative Officer, GUARD Insurance Group
"Our employee team is unquestionably our most valued resource -- firmly committed to achieving corporate goals, and inspired, dedicated community leaders."
Jack L. Burke, President & CEO, The Penn Millers Group
"One of the key factors that attracted Travelocity.com to Northeastern Pennsylvania was the quality of the workforce. We haven't been disappointed. Our employees in Northeastern Pennsylvania have proven to be dedicated, well-educated professionals who take great pride in their work."
Cindy Scovish, Human Resources Manager, Travelocity.com
"Bemis Company, Inc. begins its 37th year of operation in the Hazleton Area with a workforce of 600+ employees. Of this workforce, there are 134 employees with 30 or more years of service, and 14 that are here since the plant opened in 1966. Without dedicated, hardworking and quality conscientious people, we could not have remained competitive in the world of Flexible Packaging. The fact that this facility controls a large percentage of the U.S. bread bag market is a tribute to the productivity and dedication of our workforce."
John Meier, H.R. Manager, Bemis Company
"Our concern is real. Our commitment is strong. Our work ethic is Legendary."
Martha Herron, Community Development Director, PPL Utilities
"Being the president of a family owned business, I personally have very high family values and ethics, and this same set of values and commitment are found in our local workforce." I find that the most qualified and reliable employee for any position, whether as a field or office professional, resides within the borders of our backyard."
George J. Hayden, President, George J. Hayden Inc.
"As a custom manufacturer of precision machined parts, we are presented with many seemingly impossible projects. Our skilled machinists are able to do jobs that have been rejected by other companies. Customers are absolutely shocked when we are able to deliver these most difficult parts on-time."
Bill Wydra, Ash-Tec, Inc.
"I have no idea where Arthur 'Pat' Aungst, Inc. would be today without the past fifty years of dedication and hard work of our Schuylkill County employees."
Ron Aungst, Arthur "Pat" Aungst, Inc.
"We have been told time and again as a distributor for Exxon-Mobil Lubricants, Shell Oil and Castrol/BP that our people are first class and our input and delivery accuracy rate is far superior to other distributors throughout the country."
Maureen Mangan Mills, Craft Oil Corp.
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