Chautauqua County Manufacturers Receive Funding Through Workforce Development Institute

Funding will promote job and business growth, employee retention and promotion

ALBANY – Four Chautauqua County manufacturers will see business growth, employee retention and promotion, and potential expansion of their operations as a result of training assistance through the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a program championed by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean).

As part of the 2014-15 State Budget, Senator Young directly helped secure an additional $3 million for WDI, funding she is again fighting for this year. With Senator Young’s support, a total of $7 million of funding was included last year to support the mission and work of WDI.

“Job training services are essential to building a strong and capable workforce, as well as a prosperous economy. The Workforce Development Institute has been an outstanding partner with area businesses, ensuring they and their employees have the skills and training they need to be at the forefront of their industry. These new partnerships will go a long way toward improving Western New York’s manufacturing economy and providing hardworking New Yorkers with valuable opportunities,” said Senator Young.

“WDI has been instrumental in sustaining and growing our manufacturing jobs as well as providing career transition services for laid off employees. All four of these manufacturers are outstanding local employers who are providing a strong boost to Chautauqua County’s economy,” Senator Young said.

“The companies discussed here all vary in workforce size and industry served, however all expressed needs for their existing staff in order to maintain stability and foster growth. The ability for WDI to assist companies with workforce based initiatives, regardless of size or region, speaks to the flexibility and accessibility of our funding. WDI would not be able to provide this level of assistance without the support of Senators like Catharine Young,” said Michael LaBerta, WDI’s Western New York Regional Director.

MD Electronics, in Jamestown, received WDI funding to provide workers with training that will streamline processes, improve product yields, improve machine availability and utilization while also reducing costs. With this efficiency training, MD Electronics will be able to promote employees and continue growing in international markets.

“Continual workforce training is essential for businesses to survive in the competitive worldwide marketplace. The funding received from WDI enabled MD Electronics to provide more of this valuable training to our employees,” said Bruce Dudgeon, President of MD Electronics.

Ring Precision Components, also in Jamestown, received WDI training funds that will enable facility management and front-line plant supervision teams to be more effective in workforce management. Supervisors will be better communicators, and will be more skilled at time management, problem solving, stress management and decision-making. This will all lead to job growth and improved employee retention.

“The workforce development funding is being used for a 12 week supervisory course for all managers at Ring Precision. We are through the first four workshops and all employees have learned skills that will be invaluable for them when making future business decisions. It is incredible that in this small community we have access to this high level training that is subsidized by the community as well. I am grateful for the funding and our company will be better positioned to compete in the highly competitive markets we work in,” said Dale Gier, President of Ring Precision Components.

Ulrich Planfiling Equipment Corporation, located in Lakewood, received funding from WDI that will help Ulrich test different resource management software, promoting business growth. Upgrading resource management software will also enable the company to better serve its customers by offering flexibility when orders require changes.

“Today’s current business environment is more complex than ever. Customers are ordering smaller production runs on a more frequent basis causing most businesses to have to process many more orders just to maintain the same volume of sales. This has put a strain on our business systems and the assistance we will receive from the Workforce Development Institute will be used to help us evaluate these systems and come up with ways to streamline our operation,” said Dan Berry, President of Ulrich Planfiling Equipment Corporation.

Universal Tooling Corporation of Gerry was able to upgrade production software with funding assistance from WDI. The upgraded software will allow newly promoted employees trained to use the software to better communicate with customers and increase efficiency of the product design process, improving product quality. This will help grow Universal’s business as well as job promotion and growth.

“We have invested heavily in our engineering department to better serve the needs of our customers. Additional engineering training was the key to getting the most out of our technology investment and supporting existing and new business over the short and long term. As part of our continuous improvement we seek to improve operational efficiencies by supporting the technical knowledge of our employees,” said Nichole Segrue, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Tooling Corporation.

WDI is a non-profit organization that works with employers across the state to provide focused training and support that helps employees achieve professional and career growth. WDI provides employers with assistance for training programs, equipment purchases, and other support services vital to growing and retaining valuable jobs. In addition, WDI strives to develop alternatives that will prevent jobs from moving out-of-state, as well as providing transition support services for those workers who have lost jobs.

For more information on the great work of WDI or to apply for funding through the program, please visit: www.wdiny.org.