Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/903631
46 Worcester Business Journal | Fact Book 2017 | wbjournal.com and other automation equipment, the bulk of those early companies have gone out of business or shipped opera- tions overseas, but still, traditional manufacturers like Table Talk Pies and Riverdale Mills are thriving in Worcester County. Table Talk, a nearly 100-year-old maker of miniature pies, opened a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Worcester in September. Northbridge's Riverdale Mills is still a perfect embodiment of small-town Central Massachusetts manufacturing, operating out of one of those mill buildings on Riverdale Street. The 37-year-old company manufac- turers wire mesh and other products used for lobster traps and security fenc- ing. It even submitted a bid to build President Donald Trump's border wall. For founder Jim Knott, staying rele- vant in a changing industry is a fairly simple recipe. "You have to keep your labor cost low by innovating and investing in cutting edge technology," Knott said. Doing so keeps the company compet- itive with manufacturers operating in China and Mexico, he said. In addition, nearly half of the compa- ny's product is exported to take advan- tage of the global market, he said. The company's employee count has increased about 15 to 20 percent each year since 2011, and the firm now employs about 185, Knott said. Knott said the company invests in equipment and technology every year, including a cogeneration system to make the company almost totally self sufficient on energy. Admittedly, industrial manufacturing is no longer a "sexy job," Knott said, and staffing has been an issue at times. "One of the keys to success is keep- ing productivity up and holding labor costs down by adding proper technolo- gy," he said. Harry Kokkinis, president of Table Talk Pies, at the groundbreaking of the company's 50,000-square-foot facility in the South Worcester Industrial Park in October 2016. The facility produces 1 million pie per week. W Meeting the Needs of Any Size Business with the most competitive rates, lending options and cutting edge services for them to grow. To learn more about our Business Banking services call us at 508-765-7346 or email us at bes@saversbank.com. Simply Beter. saversbank.com • 800.649.3036 Member FDIC Member SIF Equal Housing Lender • Business Accounts • Business Online with Mobiliti • Commercial Loans • Cash Management • Business Debit Card w/ uChoose Rewards® M a n u f a c t u r i n g I N D U S T R I E S Continued from Page 45