Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | Fact Book 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 19 R E G I O N S B l a c k s t o n e V a l l e y L iora Stone, president of Precision Engineering in Uxbridge, sat down with Worcester Business Journal to discuss partnerships, education and resources in the Blackstone Valley. Precision Engineering partners with groups such as Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Employers Association of the North East. Is forming these alliances important for all small businesses? Invaluable. These types of organiza- tions not only serve as a source of net- working, but they help to spread the word about your company, and they help to support you through educa- tion, lobbying and expertise in areas in which you and your staff may not be strong. What is the manufacturing workforce status like here in the Blackstone Valley? The status of the manufacturing workforce in the Blackstone Valley is similar to other areas in the state and nation: It's often hard to find qualified personnel, especially at wages and benefits at which we can afford to pay. We utilize automation where we can, and we do a lot of in-house training to add to our staff 's competencies. Also, we in the Blackstone Valley have been very focused on improving our bench strength for many years now. Most recently, through an initiative admin- istered by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Blackstone Valley Education Hub has been partnering manufacturers with area high schools, colleges and other institutions to provide educational instruction for high school and adult students. For a manufacturing business in the Blackstone Valley, how difficult is it to keep costs in check? The Blackstone Valley is a lower- cost area of the state and the quality of life is high. We have high-quality resources (like our A+rated area hospitals), and we're centrally located between Boston, Providence, Springfield, Hartford and New Hampshire; but housing prices are a little lower, our roads are usually less clogged (Shhh…don't tell everyone else, so we can keep it that way), and life, in general, is more peaceful. Best advice for a new manufacturer moving into this area to set up shop? Get connected with other manufacturers. We're a close group of companies here in the Blackstone Valley. We know each other, and we support each other. A good place to start is with the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. They run a lot of manufacturing-centric events and initiatives. This interview was conducted and edited for length and clarity by Susan Shalhoub, special to the Worcester Business Journal. A close-knit business community Liora Stone, president of Precision Engineering in Uxbridge Combined total property value Source: Mass. Department of Revenue $15B 2013 $12B $9B 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 $11.64B $13.68B Hebert said the sessions – like one held at the Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury this spring – brings officials such as Kelly Arvidson, vice president of business and economic develop- ment for the central region at MassDevelopment, in front of local officials and business owners to dis- cuss items such as grant programs and loan availability. The program, now in its third year, is gaining momentum, said Hebert. Other chambers have asked for her help in setting up similar events. "It opens up the lines of communi- cation," she said, "making doing busi- ness a bit easier. It helps people to trust our government. If I have some- one call me who says, 'The board of health hates me,' we can connect that business owner with an official, and they say, 'Oh, I didn't understand the policy [once they learn more].'" Workers at Lampin Corp. in Uxbridge perform precision component manufacturing. Continued on Page 20 W

• Cover