9 minute read

Wettekin Electronics, LLC

Motor Controls and Automation for Industry

Wettekin Electronics is a multifaceted industrial distributor, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, supplying original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and maintenance repair operations (MRO) throughout the tri-state area of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York for more than 50 years.

Wettekin Electronics maintains local inventories of select, specialized electrical and electronic components, and proudly distributes first-quality products of premier manufacturers from around the world to its OEM and MRO customers. Wettekin Electronics provides a wide variety of electrical motor controls, programmable controllers (PLCs), touch screen displays, variable frequency drives (VFD), power metering and monitoring devices, and solutions for power, control, safety and energy efficiency.

Wettekin Electronics augments its distribution business by providing complete custom design and fabrication services of electrical control panels and development of process systems for machine automation, upgrade, retrofit and integration needs. Also provided are solutions to meet customers’ specific needs for OEM product, upgrade and modernization of existing products and advancement in new technologies. Engineers work closely with customers at every step of the process from concept to the final product. The ability to respond to customers’ needs quickly and effectively provides the basis for longlasting and rewarding relationships.

Wettekin Electronics custom control panel shop can design and assemble control panels consisting of stainless steel, painted carbon steel, fiberglass and cast aluminum enclosures. Each is designed and labeled to the latest requirements of CE, UL, CUL, CSA and to meet National Electrical Code NFPA 70 and NFPA 79 standards for hazardous locations.

Wettekin Electronics also specializes in instrumentation and process control, with the addition of sensors and metering of machine variables and the utilization of programmable logic controllers and human machine interface (HMI) displays to improve customers’ production

Wettekin Electronics

4506 West 12th Street | Erie, PA 16505 accuracy, repeatability and operating efficiency.

Wettekin Electronics also provides expert, cost-effective electronic printed circuit board design, development, rapid prototyping and full production services for its OEM customers.

From envisioning a new solution, planning, developing and commissioning a project, Wettekin Electronics staff, with more than 250 years of combined experience, can address the needs and desires of the customer. Over the last 50 years the company’s customer base has steadily grown by always focusing on customer service. By offering and providing quality products, workmanship, and service, Wettekin Electronics maintains a high level of customer satisfaction

Industries Served

• Product cycling and life test of high pressure valves

• Production quality control and test procedures

• Chemical processing plant for material conveying, mixing, tableting and packaging

• Catalyst reaction test stand for new product design

• Compressed air drying equipment

• Natural gas well head and transmission monitoring

• Natural gas pumping and dehydration station controls

• Electrical training test bench

• Programmable logic control trainers

• Chemical research facility control system

• Water filtration equipment, and pump control panels

• Ground water monitoring and testing control systems

• Brewery facility control systems

• Plasma cutting and coil line machines control system

• High pressure compressor control system

• Steam turbine generator control system

• Cement plant control system

• Printed circuit board design and assembly

• Automated Electroplating line control system

• Industrial cleaning and polishing equipment control system

MANUFACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION HOSTS FIRST BUTLER MFG DAY SHOWCASE

The Manufacturer & Business Association in partnership with the Butler County Manufacturing Consortium and the Butler County Chamber of Commerce held its first Butler MFG Day Showcase on April 4 at the Butler Intermediate High School.

The day began with a panel discussion by a “student advisory board,” which visited four manufacturers during the past school year, on what they learned. The companies included Coherent in Saxonburg, CID in Sarver, Butler Technologies in Butler and IDL in East Butler. The second part of the day was hosted by the MBA and involved 20 interactive exhibits and displays from local manufacturers to engage more than 800 students from the region. Among the 20 manufacturers present were Penn United in Cabot, Oberg Industries in Sarver, MSA The Safety Company in Cranberry Township, Cleveland-Cliffs in Butler Township and Butler Technologies.

For more information, visit mbausa.org.

ZIPPO/CASE MUSEUM TO HOST ‘MADE IN BRADFORD’ CELEBRATION

The Zippo/Case Museum is hosting a “Made in Bradford” celebration on July 15, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Zippo Manufacturing Company’s acquisition of the W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company brand, the event will celebrate Bradford’s rich history of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurialism.

The “Made in Bradford” celebration will feature exclusive collectible Zippo and Case products, food, giveaways and a collectors’ swap tent, among other family friendly offerings. A particularly exciting highlight will be an exhibition featuring the many skilled craftspeople and artisans of Bradford. The event is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine.

For more information, visit zippo.com.

ERIEZ ® EXPANDS IN-HOUSE LABORATORY CAPABILITIES

Eriez®, a global leader in separation technologies, has completed the construction and commissioning of a new state-of-the-art fire assay laboratory to support flotation testing at its world headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania. This new facility includes all required equipment for fusion, cupellation, parting, weighing and assaying, as well as innovative systems to enhance worker safety and environmental compliance.

Erich Dohm, Eriez Flotation senior manager–USA Operations, says, “The addition of fire assay capabilities further establishes our position as an innovative global partner in minerals processing and flotation. This investment was made as part of our commitment to enhancing support for our precious metals flotation customers in addition to existing capabilities for base metals and industrial minerals projects.”

He adds, “Our customers will see a tremendous benefit in the development of new precious metal projects incorporating our advanced flotation technologies, such as the HydroFloat® and StackCell®.”

According to Eriez, the new fire assay laboratory will enable full execution of all aspects of precious metals flotation projects, with next-day assays available to guide flotation investigations. Dohm says, “This will allow our team of flotation experts to complete projects under a tight deadline without risking delays from external commercial laboratories.”

Eriez’ in-house analytical capabilities also include X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), atomic absorption (AA), combustion furnace (sulfur), and particle size by laser diffraction. Dohm says, “Our fullservice metallurgical and analytical laboratory facilitates strong customer partnerships, from initial flowsheet development at prefeasibility stages through troubleshooting and optimization of existing mill circuits.”

For more information, visit eriez.com.

Printing Concepts Acquires Marshall Printing

Printing Concepts, headquartered in Erie and one of northwest Pennsylvania’s oldest and largest commercial printers, recently announced the acquisition of Marshall Printing, in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Marshall Printing is an established community print partner in the greater Mercer County region, and is now operating as Printing Concepts, Grove City.

"Printing Concepts, Grove City will continue to provide the high quality printing and excellent customer service for which Marshall had previously been known," said Printing Concepts Vice President Jim Geronimo. “However, Printing Concepts brings to the Mercer County region our offset and digital print capabilities and expertise to produce high volume, reasonable cost magazines, brochures, newsletters and other larger print items, as well as provide complete mailing services.”

Geronimo continued, “We look forward to bringing our decades of print experience and excellent customer service to the greater Mercer County region.”

For more information, contact Doug Dunham at ddunham@printingconceptsonline.com or visit printingconceptsonline.com.

MANUFACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

2023–2024 BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) recently announced its 2023–2024 Board of Governors, effective April 1.

Chairman Kyle Blakeslee is general manager of Urick Ductile Solutions, a ductile iron foundry located in Erie. Urick is part of the Emerson Electric Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

Blakeslee oversees all aspects of the business including manufacturing, sales, finance, engineering and human resources. He started his career as a manufacturing engineer and has served in various management roles including engineering, operations and sales. He previously held positions at Snap-tite, Bush Industries and Composiflex.

A Union City native, Blakeslee is a graduate of Penn State University where he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He most recently was named as 2022 Citizen of the Year by the Union City Lions Club.

Blakeslee is joined on the MBA Board of Governors Executive Committee by Vice Chairman Bob Frost, vice president, Engineered Systems Procurement for Wabtec Corporation; Treasurer Matt Clark , vice president and general manager of Humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram; Secretary Tammy Lamary-Toman, vice president and employment counsel, Manufacturer & Business Association; and, Immediate Past Chairman Jana Goodrich, president and chief executive officer of Seaway Manufacturing. New Board members appointed to three-year terms include:

Sara Kallner is an owner and the vice president of Sales and Marketing at Smith Provision Co., Inc., a manufacturer of premium smoked meat products in Erie. Smith’s is a fourthgeneration family owned and operated business.

Kallner began her career in the financial services industry, where she gained experience as a financial advisor with Prudential Securities and then HBK Sorce Financial. Kallner is an Erie native, and a graduate of Allegheny College, where she earned a B.A. in English Literature. Kallner has spent the past 17 years with Smith’s.

Kallner has enjoyed volunteering over the years, and currently serves as the chair of the Board of Directors for Cathedral Prep and Mother Teresa Academy.

Jennifer Nelson is senior vice president of Supply Chain for AirBorn in Lake City, Pennsylvania. AirBorn Interconnect, Inc. is a 100-percent employee-owned company headquartered in Georgetown, Texas. The company’s core business is engineering and manufacturing specialized connectors and electronic components for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide. Nelson previously served as vice president of Operations & Supply Chain from 2019-2023. A 24-year veteran of AirBorn, Nelson has held leadership roles in finance, operations and supply chain management. She is a graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. degree in accounting and business administration.

Nelson has been active in the community, supporting and volunteering in various capacities at St. Jude (formerly Our Lady’s Christian School) and Villa Maria Academy. Tom Tredway is president at Erie Molded Packaging in Fairview Township, Pennsylvania, which specializes in the manufacturing of stock and custom solutions for the rigid packaging industry. Tredway joined Erie Molded in 2006, acting as its vice president of Sales until 2020. Previously he worked as a financial advisor for Ameriprise Financial Services in Annapolis, Maryland. Since moving back to Erie, Tredway has served on numerous local boards including Young Erie Professionals, Erie Regional Chamber of Commerce & Growth Partnership, Montessori Regional Charter School, and Stairways Behavioral Health. Nationally, he has served on the board of the Manufacturer’s Association for Plastics Processing. Tredway earned his B.S. degrees in finance and management from Lehigh University.

Additional members of the MBA Board of Governors include Chad Betts, president and chief executive officer of Betts Industries, Inc.; Scott Bonnell, owner of Bonnell’s Truck and RV Collision; Jon DeArment, president and chief operating officer of Channellock, Inc.; Gary Clark , chief executive officer of Reed Manufacturing Co.; and, Jeff Plyler, president and chief executive officer of Plyler Enterprises, Inc.

AMERICAN TURNED PRODUCTS WELCOMES ENGINEERING VP, MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

American Turned Products (ATP) recently named Julian Torres as the company’s vice president of Engineering. In this role, Torres will lead the engineering function across the organization’s two manufacturing facilities in Erie and Fairview, Pennsylvania. Torres brings with him more than 23 years of engineering experience within high-precision manufactured and assembled products for the automotive, aerospace and industrial markets.

Prior to this this appointment, Torres was responsible for product support engineering for the global portfolio of rotary-wing elastomeric products at Parker LORD. He previously held roles at American Turned Products within manufacturing engineering, including engineering and quality management between 2004 and 2013.

Torres earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology and Master of Business Administration from Penn State Behrend.

ATP also recently hired Chris Wozniak as a manufacturing engineer. In this role, Wozniak will be responsible for developing manufacturing solutions and the implementation of process improvements for the organization’s high volume, precision machined product portfolio. Wozniak brings valuable technical/ manufacturing leadership and problemsolving skills to the organization.

Prior to this role, Wozniak was a production technical adviser at Wabtec Corporation and earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering administration from Edinboro University. Wozniak also served in the U.S. Army as a course manager, Pathfinder Platoon sergeant at the Warrior Training Center in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Founded in 1984, American Turned Products specializes in the machining of high volume, highly complex components for the automotive, fluid power, oil and gas, and other markets both domestically and worldwide.

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