The Southeastern SEWN Advisory Board held its initial meeting on June 7 at the Chester County Economic Development Council's business center. Leaders in economic development, workforce development, commerce, industrial development, small manufacturers, and other state and county agencies from the five-county area met to discuss the issues affecting small manufacturing firms in the region. Senator Bob Mensch and his business advisor, Tim Hennessey, also volunteered their time to serve on the Advisory Board. Two current SEWN clients spoke to the Board about the challenges their companies are facing and the solutions that SEWN has proposed. The meeting also served as an excellent networking opportunity for all of the members to learn about the services each provides to at-risk manufacturing companies, and to forge partnerships for more seamless integration of their services.

 

A Northeastern Pennsylvania manufacturer operated three separate product lines - clock repair, pet urns, and wooden theater seats. The company's bank had called its loan while the company struggled to survived in declining business markets. SEWN worked with the company and its bank to repay the outstanding debt. Additionally, SEWN worked with the company's management team to accurately value all three product lines in order to determine the profitability of each aspect of the business. The company decided to focus its attention on the pet urn industry, and has received orders from pet owners throughout the country, ensuring that the business is now on stable ground.

 

The SEWN Capitol Office held the initial meeting of its new Advisory Board on June 5 at the Dixon University Center's Richards Recital Hall in Harrisburg. Leaders from the Departments of Labor and Industry, Community and Economic Development, and the Governor's Action Team joined with key personnel from regional economic development, workforce development, and commerce organizations to discuss the current trending and economic issues affecting unemployment and layoffs throughout the central portion of the state. A representative from Senator Casey's Harrisburg office joined the Board to provide a statewide and federal perspective on these issues. Furthermore, the group examined engagement strategies and partnerships among Board Members and with SEWN. The discussions led to multiple actions steps and potential opportunities for increased collaboration and new approaches to the critical workforce stabilization issues in the region.

 

A Northwestern Pennsylvania transportation equipment manufacturer had an 80-year reputation of quality craftsmanship, but experienced difficulty in diversifying its client base. The company's products featured key innovative advantages over its larger competitors, and yet consistently missed bid and award opportunities. SEWN provided a branding platform and a market strategy that leveraged the company's stellar reputation in traditional markets while introducing its products to potential new markets. An updated logo and a new lead management system fully integrated the marketing and sales teams in order to achieve greater market penetration.

Since its inception in 1993, the Strategic Early Warning Network (SEWN) had contributed to the retention and revival of close to 700 industrial enterprises within Pennsylvania, impacting more than 18,000 jobs. SEWN assists manufacturers throughout the state who are struggling to grow or to improve the competitiveness of their business. SEWN provides professional and confidential turnaround, financial, and investment services to small- and middle-market firms employing 25-500 workers through the following core services: Financial Restructuring, Operational Restructuring and Cost Management, Ownership Transition, High Performance Workplace Strategies, and New Market Opportunities. All of SEWN's services are provided at no cost to the manufacturer, and all information provided is handled in strict confidence.