Post: Aug. 23, 2019
Cambridge Security Seals is a national leader in specialized seals used for loss prevention and tamper equipment. Located in Pomona New York, this company has built a reputation for product quality and nearly endless options for product customizations; helping match client needs.
Recently, Cambridge Security Seals received a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a state-of-the-art tote seal design. While that may not sound exciting at first, this new design allows clients to secure their products while allowing shoppers a user-friendly experience. Little changes in the ergonomics of security/tamper seals can make all the difference when shoppers are looking at a product to purchase. In today’s competitive market, everything counts including tamper equipment that most people overlook but have had a great deal of engineering research go into them.
HV MFG sat down with Elisha Tropper, CEO of Cambridge Security Seals to discuss how his company became one of the fastest growing organizations in the region. Elisha came from a family of entrepreneurs that ran a local business in New York City during the 1940’s. After attending college at Yeshiva University, Elisha began working in the family run business within different departments including operations, sales, marketing, and product management. While he enjoyed the knowledge, he gained about running a company, Elisha knew he wanted to start his own path. He enrolled in classes at Columbia University and received an MBA.
With his family’s support, Elisha took over Prestige Label Company, which made pressure sensitive labels. From there, he gained the experience of taking a run-down business and building it back up to a competitive business model. Eventually, Prestige was sold to one of its customers who was better suited to run the organization.
That’s when Cambridge Security Seals came into the picture. After purchasing their current facility in 2011, Elisha embarked on a journey to revolutionize a business just as he did with Prestige. Knowing how crucial tamper evident labels are to the commerce sector, Elisha went full steam ahead with his ambitious business plan. His hard efforts paid off as today, Cambridge Security Seals runs 10 fully-automated production lines on an impressive 24/7 schedule.
Now Cambridge Security Seals is looking to install their generation 3 production lines which will help fulfill demand orders at a more efficient rate. Looking into the Future, Elisha is looking to acquire new customers and constantly improve their product line to keep up with the demands of their clients. Cambridge Security Seals is a proven example of how ambitious plans and a determined attitude are key factors to building a successful company.
Post: Jul. 31, 2019
From NAM Input, The National Association of Manufacturers
Do Americans think manufacturing is important? How do they view the technological changes transforming the industry along with the rest of the economy?
Two recent surveys shed light on these important questions. First, a survey conducted by the Brookings Institution asked Americans what they think about manufacturing’s present state. More from the survey summary:
- “Fifty-eight percent believe manufacturing is very important to the American economy, 14 percent think it is somewhat important, 6 percent feel it is not very important, and 22 percent are unsure.”
However, opinion varied markedly by age group, with younger people seeing manufacturing as less important:
- “Seventy-one percent of people over the age of 55 believe manufacturing is very important, whereas only 45 percent of those aged 18 to 34 years feel that way. That is a 26 percentage point difference in feelings about the subject between these age groups.”
Now, what about manufacturing’s future? Another survey, by Gallup and Northwestern University, asked Americans, Canadians and Brits whether they thought their countries were prepared for technological change in the “AI age.” From Bloomberg’s writeup:
- “Just 1 in 4 Americans are confident that the higher education system is doing enough to address the need for career-long learning and retraining.”
- “Tuition costs are the biggest deterrent, followed by academic programs that aren’t keeping up with an evolving workplace environment, according to the survey.”
These findings underline the importance of The Manufacturing Institute’s mission and the new Creators Wanted Fund that will support significant programming in 2020 to improve industry perceptions as well as expand the Institute’s efforts.
First, too many young people have the wrong image of manufacturing. Many still envision the same sort of factories their grandfathers worked in, instead of the high-tech, stimulating environment it is today. Brookings’ results suggest that manufacturers must do better at showing young people how manufacturing is leading the 21st-century economy—a key mission of the Institute.
Meanwhile, Americans are right to worry that our educational system isn’t prepared for technological change, which will create opportunities as much as disruptions. That’s why the Institute is fundraising for its new $10 million Creators Wanted Fund, which will enable it to increase participation in apprenticeships and other educational programs by 25 percent through 2025. Learn more about the fund and related programming by contacting NAM Vice President of Brand Strategy Chrys Kefalas.
The Council of Industry has its own solution, the NYS Registered Apprentice Program is available to individuals with tactical skills and math aptitude. This apprenticeship has two basic elements. The first, On-the-Job Training (OJT), consists of a journey-level, craft person capable and willing to share their experience with an apprentice, in a hands-on manner. The second, Related Instruction (RI), consists of learning more theoretical or knowledge-based aspects of a craft. Applicants must be 18 years or older, eligible to work in the United States and possess a superior work ethic. To be a registered apprentice, an individual must be employed by a participating employer. The apprentice is required to complete a minimum of 18 months up to 4 years of on-the-job training (depending on the position) and 144 hours or required related instruction per year. For more information visit our website or contact Johnnieanne Hansen at jhansen@councilofindustry.org or call (845) 565 – 1355.
Post: Jun. 28, 2019
Companies big and small continue to fuel innovation and quality jobs within the Hudson Valley, helping the manufacturing sector grow. This week, we turn our focus to FALA Technologies headquartered in Kingston, NY. The company has been in business for over 70 years and built a reputation for creating production equipment for important clients including IBM. In 2015, HV MFG sat down with Frank Falatyn, the company president to discuss its workforce development.
Mr. Falatyn began his career at the age of 16 when he was recognized for his manufacturing talents in part thanks to his father’s working experience. Both his father and grandfather asked Mr. Falatyn to help start a family business named Ulster Tool and Die. The three of them invested their time and money into building a company from the ground up. Mr. Falatyn expressed that he did not think he would be in the family business for long. After witnessing his father get an engineering degree, Mr. Falatyn understood the importance of education in the manufacturing field.
After graduating from Kingston High School, he reflected on his talents within the sciences, specifically chemistry. Consequently, Mr. Falatyn earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University and finished first in his class. His professors were so impressed with his work, that they wanted him to become a research assistant. However, Mr. Falatyn had other intensions and wanted to go back into the manufacturing sector. After graduating from college, he began working at GE to make plastics in Indiana. Mr. Falatyn quickly realized how much he missed the Hudson Valley and eventually moved back to New York to continue in the family business.
When Ulster Tool and Die was founded, the company specialized in making production equipment specifically for IBM’s R&D team. IBM eventually became the most prominent customer for the company. However, after IBM downsized in the early 90’s, Ulster Tool and Die needed to reinvent itself in order to gain new traction. As a result, the company changed its name to FALA Technologies. They also bought an empty warehouse in Kingston that was four times the size of their old shop. While the company continued to grow, Mr. Falatyn encountered the loss of both his father and brother. The latter of which was on the Council of Industry’s Board. While the loss was deeply personal, Mr. Falatyn knew he needed to continue the legacy his brother and father helped build. He reached out to the Council of Industry where he took a spot on the board so he could continue to stay in the loop of the manufacturing sector. When asked, what it takes to be a good leader? Mr. Falatyn mentioned the importance of recognizing one’s strengths and filling roles that best utilize them while delegating other important tasks that play into weaknesses.
Looking ahead into the future, Mr. Falatyn highlighted the need to focus on the next generation workforce. This way, new employees can master the skills more seasoned workers have gained throughout the years. In order to stay competitive and continue to innovate, FALA Technologies as well as the entire US manufacturing sector need to invest in workforce development to ensure the skills used by older generations are not lost. As the manufacturing industry takes these challenges head on, FALA Technologies proves that hard work, determination, and resilience go a long way to paving a successful business.
