The Westchester County Office of Economic Development is pleased to announce the launch of its Advanced Manufacturing Industry Desk, which will identify industry trends, address the needs of existing companies in the County, as well as promote Westchester as an optimal location for businesses looking to relocate here.
This announcement follows the launch of a Biosciences Industry Desk in February.
“Advanced manufacturing has been a staple in the Westchester business landscape for decades, and we have been amazed at the strength of this sector, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “The creation of an Industry Desk and Task Force to support this important sector will not only give our existing businesses the tools needed to continue expanding, but it will also attract new players to the County.”
As part of the Industry Desk, a dedicated Advanced Manufacturing Task Force has been created, and features local professionals and other stakeholders that bring experience and expertise in the sector. The Task Force will serve as a resource, providing insight into workforce needs, real estate issues, financing and more.
The Advanced Manufacturing Task Force is chaired by Bridget Gibbons, Westchester County Director of Economic Development. Current members include: Dudley Boden, President & CEO, Magnetic Analysis Corporation; Matthew Brennan, President and CEO, Metcar; Dr. Marsha Gordon, President and CEO, The Business Council of Westchester; Harold King, Executive Vice President, Council of Industry of Southeastern New York; Thom Kleiner, Executive Director, Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board; Ron Lorentzen, General Manager, Bantam Tools; Justin Lukach, President, Micromold Products, Inc.; Deborah Novick, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Westchester County Office of Economic Development; Michael Romita, President and CEO, Westchester County Association; Oliver Stauffer, CEO, Packaging Technologies & Inspection; and Teresita Wisell, Vice President, Workforce Development and Community Engagement, Westchester Community College.
Additional members may be added to the Task Force in the near future.
Westchester County’s advanced manufacturing landscape is diverse, including: Packaging Technologies & Inspection (PTI), which is a leading manufacturer of package inspection equipment; Micromold Products, which manufactures plastic fluid handling products; Metcar, which focuses on self-lubricating machinery components; Bantam Tools, which manufactures desktop milling machines used to make printed circuit boards and aluminum parts; and Magnetic Analysis Corp., which has been advancing the science and technology behind nondestructive testing for over 90 years. Throughout the years, these companies have incorporated technology and digitalization to make their businesses more competitive.
“The Hudson Valley has become a true hub for advanced manufacturing, with Westchester serving as the heart of the region with a diverse and growing industry. With 28 higher education institutions and award-winning public schools, our workforce aligns with many of these businesses’ needs,” said Gibbons. “When recently speaking with established advanced manufacturers in our County, we quickly discovered a workforce development issue: there is a strong need for machinists, which is impacting their ability to grow and expand. Our team jumped into action and we are working on a solution to address this issue alongside our partners throughout the County.”
For more information, go to Westchester Catalyst Advanced Manufacturing Sector. To contact the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Desk, send an e-mail to .