By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Things are looking up in Bucyrus. That was the theme that seemed to be spread among the businesses that spoke at the 2014 Business and Industry Forecast Breakfast Wednesday morning.
Nine companies and Bucyrus Mayor Roger Moore discussed the past year and the future of their companies and the city. All in all, the speakers presented an optimistic outlook for the future of Bucyrus.
Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Deb Pinion was pleased not only with the turnout but also with the message presented.
“Attendance-wise, we were way up on attendance,” Pinion said as she helped hand out GE lights to departing attendees.
She thought the reports this year were uplifting.
“People are starting to actually say out loud that the economy is improving and I think that’s what it’s going to take,” said Pinion. “We all need to think in the positive ways. People thought it was improving but they were afraid to say anything but I think they’re really stepping up and saying it now.”
The 2014 forecasts for area businesses were favorable.
Advanced Fiber Technology
Doug Leuthold of Advanced Fiber Technology announced that though the company had been running seven percent behind during the first three quarters of 2013, the fourth quarter exceeded their expectations and they ended the year flat with the prior year.
“Which is a pretty good indicator that some positive things are taking place, we felt, in the housing industry,” Leuthold said. “I’m encouraged about where I think the housing industry is at. We’re forecasting about a 10 percent growth in 2014.”
Advanced Fiber Technology is also working on new product developments, which could mean a new product line being added later this year. Later this Spring, the company will be adding another 10,000 square feet to its facilty.
Avita Health System
Jerry Morasko of Avita Health System announced that the Bucyrus Community Hospital is at the forefront of customer service. The hospital recently underwent a $1 million renovation of its patient rooms and added numerous services. Morasko said they will continue to bring services, such as cardiology, to the area. A low-dose CT scanner is also planned to be installed at the Bucyrus hospital by the end of the year.
Avita Health System recently purchased the former Lazarus store in the Richland Mall to install a specialty clinic with imaging.
“You don’t think that affects Bucyrus,” Morasko said, “but it does because the bigger we are and the more specialists we get in, that means we can support more specialists. Those services will also be coming to Bucyrus because this is a regional health system.”
Bucyrus Precision Tech
Ken Rogers said BPT recently added a 30,000 square foot addition and added 50 jobs to its company.
“We’re very proud of what our people do,” Rogers said. “We’re very proud of the leadership we’ve shown in the community. We’re very proud we have a number of people who joined us in ’95, ’97 are still there today, providing leadership for the company. It’s a great reflection about Bucyrus and Crawford County.”
City of Bucyrus
Mayor Roger Moore reviewed the accomplishments the city had over the past year, from adding K9 Donna to the force to the numerous home demolitions completed to the passage of the safety forces levy. By passing the levy, Moore said the police department will be able to increase its manpower by five officers by the end of the year. Funds from the safety levy will also help pay for the firefighters hired on through the S.A.F.E.R. grant.
The city is currently working on plans for a water treatment plant on city-owned property on Beechgrove Rd. Those plans are expected to go into effect around 2015. Though Moore said rates may go up, he assured those gathered that Bucyrus will still remain competitive with surrounding communities.
In 2015 and 2016 the city will begin work on the Plymouth Street project, which will cost an estimated $3.2 million. Moore said they expect to receive a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The city also received a $15,000 check from Ohio Mutual Insurance Group for 50 new picnic tables for the parks and the replacement of nine metal roofs on the shelters.
General Electric
General Electric Lamp Plant manager Matt Novak discussed the plant’s announcement to add a new energy-saving product line as part of the ongoing investment in the Bucyrus plant. New employees will be hired in 2014 and 2015 for the project.
Novak said that 2013 had been the plant’s most productive year on record for the Bucyrus lamp plant.
“I’m very proud of my employees and their accomplishments,” said Novak. “My employees are some the best lamp makers in the world and I’m proud to be associated with them.”
Novak also recognized the employees’ willingness to give back to the community. The Bucyrus plant represents one of four volunteer councils globally.
“Our success helps our relationship with the community grow and prosper and I look forward to continue the collaboration,” Novak said.
IB Tech
IB Tech Vice President Steve Crall said the company will be celebrating 15 years in Bucyrus and, though he recognizes that success, he added that the company would like to see a higher ratio of permanent associates. Though the turnover rate had been high at the beginning of 2013, Crall said they were making efforts to improve.
Crall said December sales were strong, which allows them to have continued stability in sales growth.
Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
Todd Boyer announced that Ohio Mutual Insurance Group will be celebrating 113 years in one week and, with that, he urged the community to adopt the Olympics’ motto: faster, higher, and stronger.
Ohio Mutual have added 16 new products across seven states as it transforms into a regional insurer.
‘We continue to believe a stronger Bucyrus, a stronger Crawford County, will certainly result in a stronger Ohio Mutual,” said Boyer. “I challenge everyone here to consider how those three terms, the Olympic motto, can be applied to your particular personal situation, how you conduct yourself as an individual within your organization and as an organization itself.”
Spreng Capital Management
Spreng Capital Management President and Chief Investment Officer Jim Spreng stated that the overall economy was improving.
“It is in fits and starts,” Spreng said adding that this is the new normal.
The problems now, Spreng believed, would be regulations, whether they came from Obamacare or lending ability. Spreng explained that regulators now view the nation’s largest banks the same way they view the small community banks.
“These regulations we have to struggle with are the bane of our existence right now,” said Spreng.
“Overall things are better,” Spreng said, “but, once again, this is the new normal. This uncertainty and this courage to borrow money and to expand with all the rules and regulations we have to fight against, that’s where we stand today.”
The Timken Company
Timken saw a 13 percent decline over 2012 but the company has done well despite the overall operating loss. The company expects the mobile industry sales to be down three to eight percent, due primarily to program exits. The company is expecting $23.15 and $3.45 per share in projected earnings.
At the Bucyrus bearing plant, business is expected to be flat or where the plant was at last year.
Timken plans on creating two independent companies by separating the steel and bearings industries in 2014 and forming Timken Steel Corporation.
Waycraft Industries
Mike McKee, Waycraft Industries Branding Director, said the future of Waycraft depended on the people in the community.
“The workshop itself is supported by companies like GE,” said McKee, “as well as Timken, ESCO, ODOT.”
“How much you get involved and how much you stay involved in the future” shapes the success of Waycraft Industries, said McKee.