Manufacturing in Pennsylvania is vibrant.

It is innovative.

It is diverse and growing.

Manufacturing in Pennsylvania is vibrant. It is innovative. It is diverse and growing. Manufacturing is a path to careers with purpose and to more inclusive economic growth across the commonwealth. New manufacturing companies are choosing to locate in Pennsylvania. Legacy companies, over one hundred years old with their heritage in mining and railroads, have evolved and innovated to the changing markets.

But people know more about what Pennsylvania manufacturing used to be and too little about the technology that it relies upon, the team culture and good-paying, reliable careers that it fosters and promotes, and the innovative companies that make everything from polarized filters and snowboards to powdered metal parts and sustainable products made from recycled materials.

The Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council was formed in January 2021 through a partnership with Team Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to provide a stronger, more unified state-level voice for manufacturers – to tell the story of what manufacturing in Pennsylvania is and what it can be.

  • Over the past 10 years our manufacturing sector has consistently driven Pennsylvania’s economic activity. Throughout that span, manufacturing accounted for 22% of Pennsylvania’s total output, while the next largest sectors yielded 9% and 7.5%, respectively.

  • The manufacturing sector also represented 11.5% of Pennsylvania’s Gross State Product (GSP) during the most recent decade.

  • The Commonwealth’s manufacturers employ more than 575,000 workers, making it the largest among traded sectors and third (3rd) largest private employment sector overall.

Given the value of the manufacturing sector to Pennsylvania’s economy, its continued vibrancy cannot be taken for granted. Decisions made, and actions taken, in the immediate and near-term future will define Pennsylvania’s role in the emergent technological revolution and dictate the ability of our current and future workforce to meet the changing requirements of a technology-driven economy. It is critical that we focus attention on our manufacturing sector to ensure its viability in years to come. The Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council (or PA MAC) will play a significant role in that effort. The PA MAC’s goal is to engage manufacturing leaders and gain industry knowledge sufficient to develop a long-term playbook for manufacturing growth across the Commonwealth.

PA MAC engaged with Pennsylvania manufacturing leaders through focus groups and a survey to identify what they see as the sector’s greatest challenges and opportunities.

Read the report that summarizes what was learned: A Survey of PA Manufacturers

 Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council Members

  • Eric Esoda, President & CEO, NEPIRC (Council Co-Chair)

  • Dan Fogarty, Director, Workforce Development / COO at Berks County Workforce Development Board (Council Co-Chair)

  • John Biemiller, Director, Business Retention & Expansion, Economic Development Company of Lancaster County

  • Mel Billingsley, President and CEO, Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central PA

  • Jeff Box, President and CEO, NEPA Alliance

  • Steve Brawley, President and CEO, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA

  • Jackie Cullen, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators

  • Jill Foys, Executive Director, Northwest Commission

  • Travis Gentzler, President, Weldon Solutions*

  • Ryan Glenn, Statewide Coordinator, Ben Franklin Technology Partners

  • Mike Grigalonis, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Chester County Economic Development Council

  • Sheila Ireland, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development, Labor & Industry

  • Betsy McIntyre, TEAM Consortium Director

  • Heidi McKenna, President, The Fredericks Company*

  • Patrick Meese, State Regional Director, Strategic Early Warning Network of Central PA

  • Karen Norheim, President/COO, American Crane & Equipment*

  • Tom Palisin, Executive Director, The Manufacturers' Association

  • Ernie Post, State Director, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

  • Rikki Riegner, Executive Director, PA Manufacturing Extension Partnership

  • Jake Rouch, Vice President, Economic Development, Erie Regional Chamber

  • Gus Schroeder, President, Schroeder Industries (SI)*

  • Abby Smith, President & CEO, Team Pennsylvania

  • Geanie Umberger, Associate Vice President for Industry Research, Penn State

  • Ryan Unger, President & CEO, Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

  • Ray Yeager, President and CEO, DMI Companies*

*Indicates industry member of Council

Get Involved

We’re always looking for new ideas and engagements that will grow the manufacturing economy of Pennsylvania to meet the challenges of the future.