Business briefcase
Allison
Fenner Dunlop acquires Allison Custom Fabrication
Fenner Dunlop, a long-time global leader in conveyer belting for mining and other industrial markets, announced it has acquired Allison Custom Fabrication (ACF), based in Allison. ACF is an industry leading provider of professional engineering and conveyer system design services for the underground coal mining industry.
The acquisition, when fully integrated, will position Fenner Dunlop to its customers as a single-source solution providing world-class conveyor system engineering and conveyer products. ACF specializes in design, engineering, machining and metal fabrication of made to order belt conveyor drive systems/belt terminal groups.
“This significant expansion of Fenner Dunlop to add conveyor system design and manufacturing capabilities to our well-respected conveyer belting products will be a win-win for both the company and our customers,” said Cassandra Pan, Fenner Dunlop president.
In the months to come, this acquisition will provide customers with conveyor solutions that improve the reliability of their entire material handling infrastructure, elevate the overall safety of their conveyor systems and help them better predict and manage costs associated with their conveyor systems, Pan said. The acquisition also strengthens Fenner Dunlop’s future-forward strategy of providing customers with increased risk minimization, product usage compliance, conveyor up time and cost stability while increasing productivity and safety.
“Combining Fenner Dunlop’s and ACF’s offerings will allow our customers to benefit from integrated solution packages from a single source that include system design, system install, after-market components and ongoing service,” said Scott Croftcheck, ACF vice president.
Crownsville, Md.
Former local man honored
Stephen Semonick, formerly of Tower Hill 2, was recently named to the “Honor Roll of Inventors,” for the submission of balanced electrode and in recognition of the contribution made to the science and technology of the Northrop Grumman Corp. electronic systems.
Semonick is the son of Mary Semonick of Tower Hill 2 and is a graduate of Redstone High School and ATI School, Pittsburgh.
He is currently living in Crownsville, Md., with his wife, Teresa and children Stephen and Christa.
Markleysburg
Pressley Ridge honors supervisor
Alex Cameron, program supervisor at Pressley Ridge Southwest County Treatment Foster Care, was honored for his work with children and families and for being an exceptional supervisor. Each year, Pressley Ridge recognizes four supervisors out of its 1,100 employees for outstanding performance and leadership. Cameron has worked at Pressley Ridge for 23 years and resides in Markleysburg.
Pressley Ridge, a $70M nonprofit, provides services for children in six states and Washington, D.C. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pressley Ridge is one of the largest providers of services for children and families in the country. Services include education, community-based residential and treatment foster care.
Pittsburgh
Local green leaders launch center
Stakeholders and thought leaders from Pittsburgh’s emerging green economy recently gathered at Duquesne University to help launch Duquesne’s new Center for Green Industries and Sustainable Business Growth.
The center, created in September through a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant, will promote job growth in energy and product innovation as well as provide assistance to large and small businesses that aim to implement sustainable practices in their operations. Duquesne’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Institute for Energy and the Environment, the MBA Sustainability program and the Center for Environmental Research and Education comprise the principal programs on campus that are helping to organize and launch the new center.
The meeting focused on areas where assistance will be most needed, including educating consumers and businesses on the longer-term benefits of green purchases; driving demand for energy efficiency and sustainable products; and the potential for recycling and reusing building materials from regional demolition sites.
Those attending represented a wide variety of businesses and not-for-profits, including UPMC, 84 Lumber and the Green Building Alliance, as well as the Pittsburgh Central Keystone Innovation Zone and organizations chartered to bootstrap businesses in struggling communities.
The next steps for the center will be to explore specific partnership possibilities, said Dr. Mary McKinney, director of the SBDC.
“As we work with firms on their growth issues, we plan to link them with all relevant regional resources as well as those in Duquesne University,” McKinney said. “These partnerships will enable us to deliver cutting-edge training and consulting that fit the needs of the businesses we serve.”
Duquesne University
For more information, go online to www.duq.edu.
Scottdale
Company awarded grant
The Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $245,380 in grants to help 43 small businesses around the state invest in energy efficiency or pollution prevention projects.
In this area, a grant was given to Speclin Emergency Vehicle Sales & Service Inc., Scottdale.
“This program empowers small-business owners to invest in important upgrades that make the most sense for their business,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “It gives them the opportunity to lower the costs of production, which makes them better environmental stewards and more competitive.”
Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides small businesses with fewer than 100 employees 50-percent matching reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 to implement projects that will save $1,000, in addition to 25 percent annually in pollution prevention or energy-related costs. Since 2004, the program has invested $5.3 million in 1,451 small businesses.
For more information about the Small Business Advantage Grant Program, call DEP’s Small Business Ombudsman’s Office at 717-772-8909 or email epadvantagegrant@pa.gov.