September 2017 Business Magazine

Sept ember201 7

BUSINESS VOL. XXX NO. 9 | SEPTEMBER 2017

MAGAZINE

TEAM HARDINGER DELIVERS COMPANY OFFERS WIDE RANGE OF TRUCKING, BROKERAGE AND WAREHOUSING SOLUTIONS

ON THE HILL:

HOW TRANSPORTATION DRIVES THE ECONOMY

PLUS: VIEW THE MBA’S NEW TRAINING CATALOG

OCTOBER 11, 2017 BAYFRONT CONVENTION CENTER, ERIE

112TH ANNUAL EVENT

TWO BIG EVENTS

4TH ANNUAL MFG DAY

ONE BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, PARTNERS AND GUESTS FOR MAKING THIS DAY SUCH A BIG SUCCESS!

FEATURES FEATURE STORY | WHAT’S INSIDE

3

LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION The Key to Keep Industry Moving

COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

4

TEAM HARDINGER Company representatives explain how the Erie-based company has become an industry leader in trucking, brokerage and warehousing solutions through its leading technology, growing fleet of company trucks, spacious facilities and culture of personal accountability.

SPOTLIGHT Q&A | SOLUTIONS

7

DEPARTMENTS

SPECIAL SECTION

12

BUSINESS BUZZ

EVENTS & EXTRAS

13

PEOPLE BUZZ

17

HR CONNECTION

18

HR Q&A

WHAT’S NEW

23

EDITORIAL

NETWORKING & MORE

HEALTH MATTERS | PRESCRIPTIONS

9

AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS

WORKPLACE TRENDS

GET ANSWERS

READ ON THE GO! For the most current Business Magazine updates, visit mbabizmag.com

Contributing Writers Matthew W. Fuchs Charlie Gerow Chronis Manolis

Five ways to reduce your pharmacy costs.

Chronis Manolis, R.Ph.

LEGAL BRIEF | LIABILITY

11

Freight loss: A carrier’s guide to lost pounds.

Matthew W. Fuchs

TRAINING CATALOG | INSERT

Executive Editor Karen Torres ktorres@mbausa.org

Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus (LP), headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, talks about how LP has become one of the fastest-growing transportation companies in the country and its partnership with the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA).

Feature Photography Team Hardinger Additional Photography iStockPhoto.com Casey Naylon Karen Torres

Advertising Sales David Thornburg 814/833-3200 dthornburg@mbausa.org

See the Association’s upcoming professional development, HR and computer training courses.

ON THE HILL | FUNDING

Design, Production & Printing Printing Concepts Inc. printcon@erie.net

15

Guest columnist Charlie Gerow of Quantum Communications explains why transportation is driving the economy.

On the Cover: Learn how Erie-based Team Hardinger delivers when it comes to moving customer goods safely, on time, and on budget. See page 4 for full story.

Mission Statement: The Manufacturer & Business

Association is dedicated to providing information and services to its members that will assist them in the pursuit of their business and community interests. – Board of Governors

Manufacturer & Business Association 2171 West 38th Street | Erie, Pa. 16508 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660 www.mbausa.org

© Copyright 2017 by the Manufacturer & Business Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial, pictorial or advertisements created for use in the Business Magazine, in any manner, without written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. The Business Magazine and Manufacturer & Business Association do not specifically endorse any of the products or practices described in the magazine. The Business Magazine is published monthly by the Manufacturer & Business Association, 2171 West 38th Street, Erie, Pa. 16508. Phone: 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660.

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

1

We Know the Road Ahead The Regional Career & Technical Center has partnered with PA Pride, LLC to provide quality commercial truck driver training in Erie County. PA Pride, LLC also serves as a third party CDL testing facility for commercial and non-commercial licenses.

• Class A training • 2 – 6 week training and refresher programs • WIOA, TAA and OVR tuition assistance available for those who qualify

For more information: call PA Pride at 814.670.0726 or visit papride.net.

PA Pride, LLC 814.670.0726 papride.net

8500 Oliver Road Erie, PA 16509 814.464.8601 rctcerie.org

A video competition showcasing cool manufacturing careers through the eyes of middle school student teams in Erie County!

Contact us to get involved! mreichard@nwirc.org • (814) 898-6888 www.nwirc.org/dreamit

2

SEPTEMBER 2017 • mbabizmag.com

FEATURE STORY | WHAT’S INSIDE

Logistics and Transportation THE KEY TO KEEP INDUSTRY MOVING

As the backbone of modern global supply chains, the transportation and logistics sector is a key driver of economic activity. And, as a connector of people, places and experiences, it thrives on demand.

According to SelectUSA.gov, spending in the U.S. logistics and transportation industry totaled $1.48 trillion in 2015 and represented 8 percent of annual gross domestic product (GDP). Furthermore, analysts expect industry investment to correlate with sectorspecific growth in the U.S. economy.

This highly integrated supply chain network includes multiple transportation modes, including air and express delivery services, freight rail, maritime transport and truck transport. In fact, the following is just a snapshot of how vital this sector is to keeping businesses moving: • The American Trucking Associations reports that trucks move nearly 10.5 billion tons of freight, 70.1 percent of the modal share of all freight tonnage transported domestically.

• Water transportation moves the predominant share of U.S. international merchandise trade, including 76 percent of U.S. exports by tonnage.

• Freight rail moves more than 70 percent of the nation’s coal (5.2 million carloads), about 58 percent of its raw metal ores, 1.6 million carloads of wheat, corn, and other agricultural products, and 13.7 million intermodal containers and trailers that transport consumer goods.

• An $82 billion industry in the United States, air and express delivery services (EDS) firms also provide the export infrastructure for many exporters, particularly small and medium-sized businesses that cannot afford to operate their own supply chain.

Many experts agree that advancements in technology and changes in the way goods are bought and sold are creating complexity and opportunity for the industry.

Yet, this continues to be another growth year for many transportation and logistics companies.

In this edition of the Business Magazine, we’ll share how Erie-based Team Hardinger delivers when it comes to moving customer goods safely, on time, and on budget through its trucking, brokerage and warehousing solutions. We’ll also take a look at some of the other resources and key topics related to logistics and transportation, including why long-term transportation funding is imperative for our economy to grow.

Plus, be sure to check our Spotlight Q&A on Logistics Plus’ partnership with the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) on the MBA Logistics Program and how it could benefit your operation.

Visit www.mbausa.org/logistics for more information!

Steer Your Business Toward Success!

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

3

COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

TEAM HARDINGER DELIVERS Company Offers Wide Range of Trucking, Brokerage and Warehousing Solutions When it comes to moving customer goods safely, on time, and on budget, Team Hardinger delivers. Industry leading technology, a fleet of company trucks, 600,000 square feet of warehouse space, and a culture of personal accountability gives the Hardinger team the tools it needs to provide consistent value to customers.

“We chose Team Hardinger almost two decades ago because their team collaborated closely with us to solve our unique supply chain issues,” says Bob Guthrie, the Erie plant manager for Berry Plastics.

“That ongoing teamwork helped us find efficiencies that have saved us time and money — which is why we still partner with them today.”

A Trusted Trucking and Warehousing Partner

Team Hardinger’s experienced drivers deliver on-time 99 percent of the time, and the companywide inventory accuracy rate is 99.9

percent. Those statistics are indicative of the pride the company’s 130 employees take in their work. But the numbers are just part of Team Hardinger’s story.

“The trust our customers place in us — in our company values, our service, and our commitment to finding custom and rapid-response solutions — have made us an industry leader in Erie,” says Team Hardinger owner H. Bender, who purchased the company in 2015.

“We are known for our best-in-class capabilities, which former owner Bill Schaal Sr. deserves a lot of credit for. His work and the pride every Hardinger team member takes in their job has us poised for even greater success in the future.”

Bender often points potential customers in search of a transportation and warehousing partner to a 2016 white paper from the Haslam College of Business. The report lays out questions companies should consider before hiring a transportation and warehousing company, such as “Is the transportation system safe and efficient?” “Does the company have high-quality warehouse operations?” and “Does the company offer services beyond basics?”

Team Hardinger has the answers.

Safe and Efficient

Team Hardinger’s commitment to safety for its customers, employees and the public puts it in the top 8.3 percent of all carriers in the United States.

“It’s a number the company is proud of, but is always striving to improve with the help of the best technology available,” says Team Hardinger Safety Manager Doug Ladds.

Bill Schaal (right) purchased Team Hardinger in 1969. His former general manager Harold “H.” Bender (left) then became sole owner in 2015.

4

SEPTEMBER 2017 • mbabizmag.com

For instance, Team Hardinger’s dispatchers can trace up-to-theminute locations of goods, and also track drivers’ speeds, stops and logs. That ability helps Team Hardinger’s experienced drivers meet safety goals and further tighten already efficient systems.

With four warehouses in the region, Team Hardinger has storage solutions for any need – from two pallets to dedicated sites.

“Our customers are constantly looking to reduce their inventories, which requires a reliable and flexible shipping partner,” notes Tom Tredway, vice president of sales for Erie Molded Plastics.

“Team Hardinger has delivered on all fronts, giving our company a competitive advantage.”

High-Quality Warehouse Operations

Storage is a simple concept. But walk through one of the four massive Team Hardinger warehouses and one can quickly understand that Team Hardinger’s 99.9 percent inventory accuracy rate is impressive indeed.

Team Hardinger relies on state-of-the-art technology to track every product coming through its 600,000 square feet of warehouse space. The ability for customers to “see” their goods in real time shows how Team Hardinger embraces transparency and personal accountability, ensuring customers know exactly the most up-todate information on their inventory.

In addition to offering traditional warehousing services, two Team Hardinger warehouses are active foreign trade zones, or FTZs. An FTZ is a designated area where domestic and foreign commercial goods are treated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as if it were outside the United States.

Team Hardinger’s repacking services include combining multiple SKUs for variety or sample packs to preparing retail-ready displays.

Services Beyond the Basics

Team Hardinger offers customers a full range of “THxtras.” Many of the value-added services are a direct result of the Hardinger team developing custom solutions to meet customer needs.

One customer, for instance, was concerned about how his company would expand into the direct-to-customer market.

“We provided a multichannel e-fulfillment solution using Amazon and other web tools,” says Barry Sherman, Team Hardinger’s sales manager. “It not only filled the customer’s immediate need, but also has resulted in his company growing in ways he didn’t expect.”

Other value-added extras Team Hardinger provides as part of its end-to-end solutions include crating, packaging, kitting, labeling, repacking for retail fulfillment, painting and cleaning.

“We strive to ensure our initial solutions and ongoing support continue to drive value for our customers,” Bender says. “This isn’t a cookie-cutter business, and we recognize the solution is going to be different for every customer.”

To learn more about Team Hardinger, visit www.team-h.com or call 814/453-6587.

“That means material can be stored without paying customs and duty fees — which can mean a huge cost savings for customers,” says Lisa Casey, Team Hardinger’s FTZ administrator.

Other parts of two warehouses are food-grade certified. That means the space has been audited by AIB International certifiers for food storage based on stringent criteria that includes food handling methods and practices, maintenance, cleaning and security.

Every week, Team Hardinger reviews inventory accuracy, on-time shipping, order fulfillment accuracy and other key performance indicators to ensure they’re performing to customer requirements.

Snapshot of Services

Trucking 99 percent on-time delivery • Experienced drivers for safer shipping • Real-time, online track and trace • Long-haul, lane focused capacity • Local dedicated and flex fleets Brokerage Significant savings in first year • Complete truckload and LTL brokerage • Trusted carrier base • DLS Worldwide agent Warehousing 99.9 percent inventory accuracy • Industry-leading warehouse management system • Foreign Trade Zone • Food grade storage • Extra services: kitting, crating, repacking and retail labeling, paint and wash

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

5

trust “ Nothing was handed to me; I’ve worked hard to build what I have today.

But I absolutely would not be here without my business banker at Marquette. Trying to do business by phone with people who do not know you is very frustrating. I like faceto-face when you can trust the job will get done the right way. Marquette’s service is phenomenal. That says it all.”

Lester Bates, owner

WHITEHEAD TOOL & DESIGN, INC.

Banking approvals in days, not weeks.

Support you can expect when the unexpected happens.

People who understand opportunities are fleeting and make yours a priority.

Business bankers who don’t define success between the hours of 9-5 any more than you do.

Trust. It’s a difference you can expect when your decision is made locally, by the area’s only hometown-headquartered bank.

Be Mpowered.™

SPOTLIGHT Q&A| SOLUTIONS

How Logistics Plus Keeps Moving Forward For most businesses, transportation and logistics represent an increasingly significant expense. Here, Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus (LP), headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, talks about how LP has become one of the fastest-growing transportation companies in the country and its partnership with the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) to provide discounted logistics services for MBA member companies.

Logistics Plus was founded more than 20 years ago and now has annual sales surpassing $150 million. Tell us about the growth of your operation and where it is headed in 2017.

Well, actually, after 20 years of revenue growth every year (except 2008-2009) and profitability every year, we are experiencing a major growth surge and expect our business to grow another 50 percent this year! That kind of growth might be pretty normal in the early years of a business, but 20 years in, it’s pretty exciting/exceptional. We now have more than 400 employees worldwide, of which 130 work right here in downtown Erie at the historic Union Station (and we’re still looking to hire more too).

How would you describe the state of the logistics industry today? What are the opportunities?

Stuff moves, and will continue to move, all around the world. That will never change.

There will always be a need for someone who can help businesses succeed — for

us, this is doing what we do (move stuff) while enabling them to better focus on doing what they do (make and sell stuff).

What are the challenges?

Speed. Visibility. Technology.

The MBA Logistics Program is a unique partnership with LP that can provide MBA members with affordable, reliable transportation and logistics services. Tell us more.

We know that logistics is probably a big expense item for many (or all) MBA members and, oftentimes, they simply don’t have the time or staff to manage it properly. That’s where we can help.

We can be an extension of a company’s logistics department (or sometimes we are their logistics department). We can use our expertise to help them so they can focus more time on making and selling great products. In the spirit of local collaboration, we also provide MBA members with some additional discounts for most of our services.

What is the best way to find out if the MBA Logistics Program is the right fit for your business?

There’s information and a request form on the MBA website at www.mbausa.org/ logistics. MBA members also can email us directly at mbausa@logisticsplus. net if they have any questions about the program or the solutions we provide. We will provide MBA members with a free, norisk quote for any shipment they have or we’ll even provide a complete analysis of all of their logistics activities if they’d like.

Is there anything you would like to add?

We really are world-class at what we do, as exemplified by our roster of customers — some of the top businesses in the world: All managed right out of Erie, Pennsylvania. Thank you to the MBA and its members for their support, whether in the past or yet to come. We look forward to remaining a big part of Erie’s growth now and in the future.

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

7

YOU NEED A

PARTNER At WorkPartners, we believe that when things work together, they work better.

That’s why we offer fully integrated solutions to more efficiently manage the health and productivity of your workforce. The result? Reduced costs, improved employee engagement, and a healthier bottom line. Now that’s the power of partnership.

Absence Management

Visit us at WorkPartners.com

Life Solutions

Workers’ Comp

Onsite Services

Five Ways to Reduce Your Company’s Pharmacy Costs How to cut prescription costs and keep your employees healthy

Chronis Manolis, R.Ph., is the vice president of pharmacy and chief pharmacy officer for UPMC Health Plan.

Pharmacy tends to be the most utilized benefit in a company’s benefit portfolio and prescription drug costs typically make up a sizeable share of an organization’s overall health-care spending.

While the high cost of drug prices poses a serious financial challenge for employers, there are ways to lower costs and maximize value while also ensuring your employees receive the prescriptions they need.

For answers on how to control drug costs, employers should ask their benefits administrator these five questions to help rein in pharmacy expenses while making sure employees get healthier at the same time: 1. How is drug pricing being maximized by the pharmacy network your benefits administrator has chosen for you?

Although it’s a basic question, many employers fail to ask their benefits

administrator about their pharmacy network and its impact on the unit cost of the drug benefit. Remember that drug prices are negotiable, and you want to be sure you’re getting the best prices on the drugs your employees are using. That’s one reason it makes sense to have your pharmacy plan administered by a medium or large-sized health-care benefits company. Partnering with a larger company that has enhanced buying power over the desired pharmacy network will often result in deeper drug discounts.

2. Is our organization using a value-based, clinically-vetted formulary?

A formulary is the list of drugs covered by your pharmacy plan. A “skinny” formulary typically includes a limited selection of prescription drugs in the hopes of keeping costs down. The downside of this approach is that skinny formularies can limit access to the specific drugs that employees need.

On the other side of the spectrum, a “fat” formulary tends to provide access to a wide array of prescription drugs, but doesn’t always promote the best and most effective drugs for each employee. This approach is expensive for employers yet it doesn’t necessarily help to guide employees to the correct drugs for them. That’s why it’s best to land somewhere in the middle with your

HEALTH MATTERS | PRESCRIPTIONS

formulary, with the right balance of value and access.

3. What about utilization management?

Pharmacy utilization management are the rules your pharmacy plan follows for prescribing and dispensing prescription drugs by providers and pharmacists. At the least, employers will want to know whether their pharmacy program is comprehensively managed using techniques such as prior authorizations, step therapy and quantity management. As an example, if a significant number of your employees are dealing with asthma, it is vital that the drugs your employees take for this condition are managed via evidence-based protocol. If employee prescription use is not being managed properly, you are very likely wasting money on expensive and often unnecessary medications.

4. Is our organization’s benefit design properly aligned with the pharmacy plan?

There are several ways that your health plan benefits can be designed — with varying levels of copays, deductibles and coinsurance — that will guide your employees to use prescription drugs in smarter, more effective and less costly ways. Employers should ask their benefits administrator whether their benefit design works in harmony and is aligned with the company’s goals. For example, make sure your pharmacy co-pays are yielding the best balance of responsible employee share of the benefit with appropriate access to the drugs they need to manage their condition.

5. How is our organization handling specialty drugs?

Specialty drugs are powerful, high-cost, high-complexity drugs that are used to treat rare and chronic conditions. Despite being used by just 2 percent to 3 percent of employees, these specialty drugs account for nearly half of all employer pharmacy costs. That’s why it is vital to incorporate holistic care management services along with these drugs, including programs such as health coaching, targeted health promotion programs and health-care outreach. These services are proven to help employees stay healthier and maximize the value your employees are receiving from these high cost drugs.

If you can gain control over these five areas of pharmacy coverage, employers will better manage costs while ensuring that their employees have access to the prescription drugs they need to manage their health, which keeps overall medical costs in check.

For more information, visit www.upmchealthplan.com. mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

9

LEGAL BRIEF | LIABILITY

Freight Loss: A Carrier’s Guide to Lost Pounds

negligence and that one of the following five exceptions caused the damage: 1. Acts of God. A carrier is not liable for damage caused by natural disasters or other physical events beyond the carrier’s control, such as severe weather or a sudden medical emergency that renders the driver incapacitated.

2. Acts of War. This exception has limited application as there have been no wars fought on American soil for more than half a century. It remains open to interpretation whether this exception applies to damage caused by acts of terrorism.

3. Shipper Negligence. A carrier is not liable where the shipper’s negligence contributes to damage or loss during transit. Examples of shipper negligence include improper packaging, labelling or packing of a shipment.

Matthew W. Fuchs is a partner at MacDonald Illig Attorneys. He has represented businesses and individuals in a wide variety of commercial disputes, including breach of contract actions, shareholder disputes, patent and trademark infringement and tax sale and quiet title litigation.

Elizabeth agrees to sell her collection of rare British coins to Charles. Elizabeth lives in New York City and hires William, a common carrier, to deliver the coins to Charles, who lives in San Francisco. After picking up the coins and loading them on to a tractor trailer, William’s employee, Harry, stops at a truck stop outside of Chicago to shower. When he returns to the parking lot after about an hour, Harry discovers that his trailer is missing. FBI agents find the empty trailer five days later in a parking lot in Nashville. There is no sign of the coins. After learning of the coins’

disappearance, Elizabeth files a lawsuit against William seeking to recover the value of the coins, which she claims to be in excess of $250,000.

Not only do these facts make for the plot of a straight-to-video heist film, they highlight an important issue that carriers and shippers should understand — freight loss liability. This article takes a look at the Carmack Amendment, 49 U.S.C. § 14706 et seq., a federal law that governs claims for damage or loss incurred during the interstate shipment of goods and discusses its application to the above scenario.

Carmack Amendment The goal of the Carmack Amendment is to establish a uniform national liability system for interstate carriers that provides certainty for both carrier and shipper. The amendment preempts all state and common law claims, such as breach of contract, negligence and fraud, and provides the exclusive remedy to shippers for damage or loss that occurs during interstate transit.

The Carmack Amendment does not impose strict liability on carriers for damage or loss that occurs during transit. It does, however, shift the burden of proof from the shipper to establish negligence on the part of the carrier to the carrier to establish its lack of

4. Government Action. A carrier has no control over government policy decisions and, therefore, is not liable for damage or delay caused by government actions, such as road closure or embargo.

5. Perishable Nature of Goods. Some goods, like fruits and vegetables, have a tendency to spoil over time. A carrier is not liable for damage caused by the inherent nature of the goods, unless the carrier’s unreasonable delay contributed to such damage.

Returning to our factual scenario, Elizabeth’s sole legal remedy against William for the loss of the coins is to pursue a claim under the Carmack Amendment. Because theft is not one the exceptions to carrier liability set forth in the amendment, William is likely liable for the loss of the coins.

What, if anything, could William have done to limit his liability? The amendment expressly authorizes liability limitations. The carrier must provide the shipper a reasonable opportunity to accept or deny the proposed limitation. Additionally, the carrier must satisfy other requirements set forth in the amendment. These requirements will be discussed in next fall’s sequel — Freight Loss II: The Carriers Strike Back.

For more information, contact Matthew Fuchs at MacDonald Illig Attorneys at 814/870-7612 or mfuchs@mijb.com.

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

11

BUSINESS BUZZ | WHAT’S NEW CHANNELLOCK, INC. ATTENDS WHITE HOUSE’S ‘MADE IN AMERICA WEEK’

Channellock, Inc. recently brought its iconic blue handles to the White House for “Made in America Week.” Company representatives participated in a roundtable discussion with President Trump about certified made-in-America products.

Jon DeArment, president of Channellock, Inc. joined in the “Certified Made in America” roundtable with President Trump, the secretary of labor and several other American companies to discuss U.S.manufactured products.

“We’re honored to have been invited to the White House to discuss American manufacturing,” said DeArment. “We’ve been a ‘Made in America’ company for more than 130 years and we intend to stay that way.”

President Trump kicked off “Made in America Week” in July with a product showcase on the White House floor promoting products manufactured in the United States.

The showcase featured a wide range of items including cowboy hats from Texas, maple syrup from Vermont and firetrucks from Wisconsin. The week continued with a “Certified Made in America” event.

“Survey data shows us that consumers perceive American manufactured goods as significantly higher quality than that of any other country,” according to DeArment. “More than 60 percent of those we surveyed prefer their hand tools to be made in America, however less than 13 percent of hand tools are actually made here. That’s a problem for the American consumer.

“We’re proud that more than 90 percent of Channellock products are made in the United States, but we still have work to do in bringing 100 percent of our production onto American soil,” said DeArment. “We’re working diligently every day to increase American production of Channellock products so that every Channellock product is made here, and today’s discussion with the president is a step further in that direction.”

Channellock, Inc. was founded by George B. DeArment in 1886 in Meadville, Pennsylvania and is now in its fifth generation of family ownership and operation.

Employing more than 300 U.S. employees, Channellock, Inc. prides itself on manufacturing all its iconic pliers in Meadville.

“There’s confusion amongst consumers around ‘Made in USA’ claims,” said Jon DeArment. ”Some of our competitors claim ‘Made in USA’ with imported components, but that’s not what ‘Made in USA’ truly means. Others bury their country of origin in small type on the back of their products to hide that they are imported. We need to be transparent with consumers and set stricter guidelines on what’s considered American-manufactured quality. At Channellock, we support the American worker and American jobs and we’re committed to keeping our company red, white and CHANNELLOCK BLUE.” Channellock, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the manufacture of high-quality pliers and assorted hand tools, including the iconic, American-made CHANNELLOCK® tongue-and-groove plier.

For more information, visit www.channellock.com.

12

SEPTEMBER 2017 • mbabizmag.com

Channellock, Inc. President Jon DeArment attended “Made in America Week” at the White House this summer.

LOGISTICS PLUS TO EXPAND, CREATE MORE THAN 40 NEW JOBS Logistics Plus, Inc., a worldwide supply chain management company, plans to expand its headquarters in the City of Erie, creating 44 new jobs.

The expanded facility will allow for the handling of all logistics for clients, from order intake to shipping and installation. Logistics Plus has committed to investing at least $1.2 million into the project, which will create 44 new, full-time jobs and retain 123 more positions statewide.

“It’s very gratifying to be able to create goodpaying, fun and interesting jobs with a growing, cutting-edge global company right here in Erie, Pennsylvania,” said Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “Keeping talented people in the Erie area is good for the community and for the local economy.”

Logistics Plus, Inc. received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for $88,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be issued after the new jobs are created. The company has also been encouraged to apply for a $2 million lowinterest loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, with the assistance of the City of Erie’s Department of Economic and Community Development.

Logistics Plus Inc. is a worldwide provider of transportation, warehousing, global logistics, and supply chain solutions. Founded in Erie by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin 20 years ago, Logistics Plus employs over 400 people and has been repeatedly recognized as one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the country.

For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.net.

TRIANGLE TECH NAMED TO FIRST EVER FORBES TOP TRADE SCHOOLS LIST Triangle Tech, a two-year degree granting technical school with six locations throughout Pennsylvania, was named to the first-ever Forbes Top 30 Two-Year Trade Schools list.

The inaugural list of the nation’s top 30 trade schools ranks Triangle Tech’s location in Greensburg as No. 13 and its Bethlehem location as No. 17.

For the first time, Forbes developed a comprehensive ranking of two-year trade schools throughout the United States. The magazine used the same “return on investment” focus as its popular Top Colleges ranking report. Three critical data points were analyzed, including earnings, affordability and quality.

“Triangle Tech offers students opportunities to earn associates degrees in five program areas that are on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s list of high priority occupations,” said Tim McMahon, president of Triangle Tech.

Triangle Tech has been providing postsecondary technical training for 73 years and has locations in Pittsburgh, Erie, Greensburg, DuBois, Sunbury and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

To learn more, visit www.triangle-tech.edu.

WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING MEETING TO BE HELD SEPTEMEBR 28 IN ERIE The Women in Manufacturing PA Chapter will hold its next meeting from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

September 28 at Knowledge Center, 5240 Knowledge Parkway in Erie. The featured speaker for the meeting is Cheri Phyfer, president and general manager of Diversified Brands for Sherwin Williams, who will focus on women in leadership. Women in Manufacturing is the only national trade association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry.

For more information, visit www.nwirc.org/events.

Manufacturer & Business Association

TRAINING SCHEDULE

October November December

GAIN

New Skills!

Learn it today. Apply it tomorrow!

As a leader in professional development and computer training programs for more than 25 years — the Manufacturer & Business Association’s expert trainers deliver the knowledge and skills you need to compete in today’s business world.

ENHANCE Your Career!

“The training offered by the MBA empowers our team members with the knowledge, skills and abilities to help them realize success in their positions. They are educated in all the fundamental aspects of supervisory skills, allowing us to focus on our customers and our mission rather than on-the-job training. We highly value this investment — in that all of our management personnel have completed the Supervisory Skills Series and the return on investment is evident every day. We will continue to use these training opportunities to help us maintain ‘World-Class Water and First-Class Service.’ ”

Certified Supervisory Skills Series - Erie

From left: Kathy Donahue, Aaron Stankiewiz, Rick Kerr, Ann Whipple and Pat Jones of Erie Water Works.

— Aaron L. Stankiewiz, PHR, Human Resources Manager Erie Water Works

T

R

A

I

N

I

N

G

October

November

Professional Development

Professional Development

Certified Supervisory Skills Series Course I (Meadville) Course I Course II (Clarion) Course III

10/17 and 10/24 10/26 and 11/2 10/18 and 10/19 10/24 and 10/31

Certified Supervisory Skills Series Course II (Meadville) Course II Course III (Clarion) Course IV

Leadership for Team Leaders Series Course IV

10/12

Leadership for Team Leaders Series Course V

Food Safety Certification

10/16

Food Safety Certification

Writing to WOW! (Half Day, a.m.)

10/2

Coaching for Success!

10/3

11/7 and 11/14 11/30 and 12/7 11/15 and 11/16 11/21 and 11/28 11/9 11/20

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (4:30-7:30 p.m.)

11/2, 11/7, 11/9, 11/14 and 11/ 16 NEW! Building Effective Teams (Half Day, a.m.)

11/1

10/10

Coaching for Success! (Corry)

11/2

Forklift Training (Half Day, a.m.)

10/11

Women in Leadership

11/3

PHR Study Course (9-Week Course)

10/15

Must-Haves of Effective Communication

11/8

Marketing Planning

10/17

Customer Service (Half Day, a.m.)

11/9

PR Bootcamp! (Half Day, p.m.)

10/17

NEW! Developing Website Content (Half Day, a.m.)

11/13

NEW! Influence & Persuasion: Getting Better Results (Half Day, a.m.)

10/25

Intro to Social Media (Half Day, a.m.)

11/14

Essential Skills for Supervisors (Hermitage)

10/25

Advanced Social Media and Online Marketing (Half Day, p.m.)

11/14

HR Essential Certification Series – Level I Terminations (Half Day, p.m.)

11/16

NEW! Having Difficult Conversations (Half Day, a.m.)

(Half Day, a.m.)

Presentation Skills (Half Day, a.m.)

10/27 and 11/3

HR Essential Certification Series – Level I Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace (Half Day, a.m.)

10/26

2017 HR & Employment Law Conference

10/20

Computer Access Level II Excel Level I Excel Level III

10/12 and 10/19 10/25 10/4

“Environmental Reclamation Services takes pride in the continued education of our employees. In seeking out a program that clearly defines the expectations we have for our supervisors, we looked no further than the Manufacturer & Business Association in Erie, Pa. Their leadership seminars identify and sharpen the skills necessary to produce qualified supervisors while fine-tuning the natural abilities our employees bring to the table.”

— Bridget Trojanowski, Human Resource Manager Environmental Reclamation Services

NEW! HR Essential Certification Series – Level II FMLA and ADA Compliance (Half Day, a.m.)

11/9

Computer Access Level I Excel Level II Excel Level III PowerPoint QuickBooks Pro 2015

11/29 11/2 11/8 11/15 11/10

“After taking the HR Essential Certification Series at the MBA, I have found that all the information has become very useful in my everyday work environment. Our instructor did an excellent job presenting the information in a way that kept your attention and also taught you what you needed to know.”

— Dina Heile, Administrative Assistant Intellectual Property Services

S

C

H

E

D

U

L

E

December

Training

Professional Development

Regional Locations

Certified Supervisory Skills Series Course I Course III (Meadville) Course IV (Clarion) Course V

12/13 and 12/20 12/5 and 12/12 12/13 and 12/14 12/12 and 12/19

Leadership for Team Leaders Series Course I

12/14

Food Safety Certification

12/18

Effective Workplace Communication Skills

12/5

Efficient and Organized (Half Day, a.m.)

12/6

NEW! Leading Change (Half Day, a.m.)

12/14

NEW! Creating and Maximizing E-Newsletters (Half Day, a.m.)

12/19

NEW! HR Essential Certification Series – Level II Job Descriptions and Reasonable Accommodations (Half Day, a.m.)

12/7

Computer Excel Level I Excel Level II Word Level II

12/6 12/19 12/13

NOTE: A.M. classes run 8 a.m. to noon; P.M. classes run 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

“The training provided by the Manufacturer & Business Association fills a real need for our organization. Our area is fortunate to have a resource like this providing the knowledge and reference materials for the professional development of both up-and-coming and experienced leaders. The soft skills learned in the Leadership program have and will continue to pay dividends to our organization and, most importantly, to our customers. It’s an excellent resource that businesses in the area should take advantage of.”

— Ryan Ray, Plant Manager Power Drives, Inc.

All courses are held at the MBA Conference Center in Erie, unless otherwise noted.

Bradford: Holiday Inn Express

30 Tarport Drive Extension Butler: Fairfield Inn & Suites

200 Fairfield Lane Clarion: Park Inn by Radisson, Clarion

45 Holiday Inn Road Corry: Higher Education Council

221 North Center Street DuBois: Best Western

82 North Park Place Erie: Manufacturer & Business Association Conference Center

2171 West 38th Street Grove City: Hampton Inn & Suites

Holiday Boulevard Hermitage: LindenPointe, Training & Workforce Development Center

3050 Prosperity Place Kittanning: Armstrong Educational Trust

81 Glade Drive Meadville: Holiday Inn Express

18240 Conneaut Lake Road Mercer: Hampton Inn, Grove City

4 Holiday Boulevard Oil City: Keystone Community Education Council

206 Seneca Street St. Marys: Community Education Council of Elk and Cameron

4 Erie Avenue, Suite 200 Titusville: Towne Square Conference Center

110 West Spring Street Warren: Warren/Forest Higher Ed Council

589 Hospital Drive, Suite F Williamsport: Genetti Hotel

200 W. Fourth Street * Handicap access and parking available at all sites.

Onsite Training Get more flexibility and convenience with our onsite training options ­— one of the most cost-effective choices for group instruction.

• Flexible and convenient scheduling • Customized instruction • Eliminate travel expenses

Course Registration Contact Terry Nunez at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or tnunez@mbausa.org to register or for more information on upcoming courses. Online registration also is available at www.mbausa.org.

PHR/SPHR AND aPHR ONLINE STUDY COURSE In partnership with David Siler, SPHR, GPHR, managing partner of Distinctive HR, Inc., and our sister association, Capital Associated Industries in North Carolina, the Manufacturer & Business Association is pleased to introduce one of the most successful PHR and SPHR study groups. The success rate of this course is extremely impressive – 90 percent vs. a 50 percent national pass rate. If you’ve been looking to enhance your career and expand your knowledge of HR, now is the time to get certified.

You’ll receive the following tools to assist you in preparing for the exam: • Study Manual and flash cards • Complete library of audio CDs • Online access to hundreds of practice exam questions, testing games and videos • Access to a CAI Only Online Study group

2017 Fall PHR/SPHR Schedule and Pricing

2017 Fall aPHR Schedule and Pricing

Dates and Times: • 1 – 4 p.m. Fridays, starting September 8.

• 6 – 9 p.m. Tuesdays, starting September 26.

• 6 – 9 p.m. Sundays, starting October 15.

Date and Time: • 6 – 9 p.m. Thursdays, starting September 7.

All times are Eastern Standard Time; Classes run for 11 weeks plus a bonus “Cram for the Exam” session is included.

All times are Eastern Standard Time; Classes run for 9 weeks.

Special Introductory Price: $599

Price: $1,199 To register or for more information, visit the CAI website at www.capital.org. Please direct any registration questions to Ashley Modica, CAI Public Training coordinator at ashley.modica@capital.org or contact Patty Welther at the Manufacturer & Business Association at pwelther@mbausa.org.

FREE TO CHOOSE NETWORK NAMES NEW PRESIDENT, CEO

Free To Choose Network (FTCN), a global media company, recently announced that Robert Chatfield has been appointed by the Board of Directors as the new president and chief executive officer, replacing FTCN founder Bob Chitester in that role.

For the past five years, Chatfield was chief financial officer of Fluid Imaging Technologies, a manufacturer of scientific instruments. Prior to that, he served as a merger and acquisition adviser to private companies. He previously worked in corporate finance roles with Banknorth Group (now TD Bank) and Polaroid Corporation.

Starting his career with the nonprofit Pioneer Institute, a market-oriented research institute based in Boston, Chatfield has maintained a proactive role in academia for 20 years, teaching as an adjunct faculty member for many organizations. He is currently affiliated with Syracuse University’s online MBA program and Suffolk University’s finance department, where he earned his M.S. in finance. FTCN also announced that Chitester will continue as chairman of the Board and continue to work on several current FTCN projects.

PEOPLE BUZZ | AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS

Free To Choose Network is a 501(c)(3) global media company, which produces thoughtprovoking documentaries through its production company, Free To Choose Media.

FORMER NASA ADMINISTRATOR JOINS LORD BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NORTHWEST NAMES CAVALIER CORPORATE SENIOR VP

Michele D. Cavalier has been named corporate senior vice president, senior wealth executive and senior trust officer of Northwest Bank, headquartered in Warren.

Cavalier is responsible for the management, supervision and direction of all personal trust, employee benefits and wealth management activities.

She began her employment with Northwest in 2002 as a vice president and trust officer. Since then, she has worked as senior vice president and chief fiduciary officer for the bank.

Cavalier earned a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from Gannon University.

Founded in 1896, Northwest Bank is a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, employee benefits and investment management, as well as personal and business insurance services.

Major General Charles F. Bolden, USMC, (ret.) recently joined the LORD Corporation Board of Directors. Bolden most recently served as the 12th administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from July 17, 2009 until January 20, 2017. Earlier in his career, Bolden served 34 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring in 2003 with the rank of major general.

At NASA, Bolden led a nationwide team to advance the mission and goals of the U.S. space program.

During his tenure, Bolden oversaw a safe transition from 30 years of space shuttle missions to a new era of exploration focused on full utilization of the International Space Station and space aeronautics technology development. NASA’s dynamic science activities under Bolden include an unprecedented landing on Mars with the Curiosity rover, launch of a spacecraft to Jupiter, enhancing the nation’s fleet of Earth-observing satellites, and continued progress toward the 2018 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.

3025 West 17th Street, Erie, PA 16505

814-833-7404 FULL SERVICE REPAIR FACILITY 

State Inspection



Engine



Tire Repair



Transmission



A/C Service



Lights & Electrical

24 HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

13

Removing the roadblocks to remission.

There’s value in that.

To tackle rising cancer care costs, we’re working with leading providers and research institutes such as Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center to establish new best practices in cancer care that have been shown to cost 35% less.1 And that adds up to better outcomes for your employees, and more value for your healthcare dollar.

See how we can help improve cancer care and lower cost.

Download our free guide at HighmarkCancerCare.com

▶

Jacob Maxim Highmark Cancer Collaborative patient

1. A national study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice found that patients following evidence-based clinical pathways for oncology treatments saw 35% lower costs vs. patients receiving traditional treatment approaches.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

ON THE HILL | FUNDING

Transportation Drives the Economy Charlie Gerow is CEO of Quantum Communications, a Harrisburg-based media relations and issue advocacy firm.

Quantum played a pivotal role in the passage of Act 89.

Public safety is the issue most often mentioned when discussing Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges. That’s not surprising given the fact that the Commonwealth has among the most substandard bridges in the nation and that driving on our roads is too often a jaw-clenching, teeth-jarring, gutwrenching experience.

But there’s much more to our transportation needs than public safety. A safe, efficient and reliable transportation system is vital to our economy, too.

Getting goods and services to market on time and in good condition and getting workers to their jobs safely and reliably is essential to a thriving economy.

For too long our basic “infrastructure” was ignored or given short shrift. We under-invested on transportation for decades and, in the meantime, our roads deteriorated and our bridges crumbled.

Transportation is an essential core function of government. It has been since the founding of the Republic.

The Constitution of the United States mentions spending on only a couple of things — national defense and roads.

That’s something some of my conservative brethren should ponder when balking at adequately funding transportation.

Four years ago, the Pennsylvania General Assembly, in bipartisan fashion, passed Act 89, the largest transportation funding legislation in decades. The $2.4-billion package, pushed by Governor Tom Corbett and Secretary of Transportation Barry Schoch, means that spending

on our highways, bridges and public transportation systems will have nearly 40 percent more funding when fully realized in the next budget year.

things to different people and that there will be all sorts of transportation pieces in the mix as his plan is rolled out, just as there were with Act 89.

That will go a long way to helping get our transportation systems back to where they need to be. There’s hardly a dot on the Pennsylvania map that won’t be helped by Act 89 funding.

Federal funding is still an unresolved issue. The FAST Act of 2015 helped to stabilize federal highway and public transportation investment. The funds infused by the FAST Act, however, will be depleted by the time the Act expires in 2020. There’s a clear and present need for a long-term funding solution for the Federal Highway Trust Fund.

There are still lots of issues involving transportation funding in the Commonwealth. At the top of the list is the amount of money being diverted from the Motor License Fund and liquid fuel tax revenue to pay for our state police.

Nobody begrudges the state police their full funding, but the bulk of it should properly be coming from general funds, not from money dedicated by law to road and bridge-related costs.

While the law permits some use of these funds for state police highway patrol, the percentage has grown exponentially over the past decade and far outdistances even the most liberal estimates of patrolrelated costs. This must be addressed immediately so that the incredibly valuable dedicated funds can be used properly to keep us safe and our economy strong.

Federal Level At the federal level, the Trump administration made “infrastructure spending’ one leg of their legislative trifecta. The president recently kicked off “Infrastructure Week” by calling for privatizing air traffic control. It stood as both an acknowledgement that “infrastructure” means a lot of different

Some congressional Republicans have been reluctant to raise the federal gas tax, despite the fact that it hasn’t been raised in almost a quarter of a century and has been increasingly diminished by more fuel efficient vehicles and consumptiondiscouraging policy.

As an alternative to raising the gas tax, they have promoted increased use of private-sector investment and publicprivate partnerships.

There’s little argument that privatization of air traffic control and other functions will result in efficiencies, cost savings and a reduced burden on taxpayers. Likewise, private-public partnerships are often an ideal solution to major projects.

Neither, however, eliminates the cost of transportation additions, improvements and maintenance. An immediate, realistic approach to long-term transportation funding is imperative for our economy to grow.

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

15

If your company hauls anything, Aim has a transportation solution that will make sense for you.

We will not only save you money, but we will relieve you from the stress of focusing on your fleet so you can focus on what matters: your core business. Contact Steve Sawin today for a FREE transportation analysis. We will work to find a solution for you.

Steve Sawin ssawin@aimntls.com (814) 440-2379

IMPORTING EXPORTING INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS With over 20 years of global shipping expertise, Logistics Plus is ready to help MBA members with importing, exporting and international logistics.

Learn more about the Logistics Program for MBA members at www.mbausa.org/logistics or email us at mbausa@logisticsplus.net

16

SEPTEMBER 2017 • mbabizmag.com

HR CONNECTION | WORKPLACE TRENDS TRUCKING EXPERTS: DRIVER TURNOVER RATE ‘NEAR-HISTORIC’ LOW

Data recently issued by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for the first quarter of 2017 showed continuing signs of progress for motor carriers in their efforts to fill driver seats, an issue that has plagued the sector for several years.

ATA reported that, for the first quarter, the annualized turnover rate for large truckload carriers with more than $30 million in revenue headed by 3 percent to 74 percent, which the ATA said is at a “near-historic” low point and down 15 percent annually.

The Logistics of Offering an Onsite Training Program

This first quarter turnover rate is in line with the fourth quarter of 2017, which came in at 71 percent and is the lowest rate in more than six years and was down from the third quarter of 2016.

When considering the many options available to you when it comes to employee development, the two instructor-led options come down to onsite or the public offering classes with other company employees in attendance. Onsite, or company-specific training, can be conducted either at the employer’s training facility or at another designated location. One of the benefits of onsite training is the cost savings due to having all of the employees in one place at the same time — eliminating travel costs.

Making sure that our training programs are tailored to the employers’ training needs is of paramount importance to us. The first assessment is done to see what the training needs and requirements are from the company’s perspective. Prior to the onsite training, the trainer follows up with the company to ensure that we are offering the training that the company desires. Company-specific training typically requires more planning, dialogue and coordination of schedules, but we find that the little bit of additional effort pays significant dividends.

There are many benefits of onsite training: • The training can be scheduled when it is best for the organization from both a timeof-year and time-of-day standpoint.

• The materials and discussions can be patterned to meet the specific needs and objectives of the company and its employees.

• This training option assures that any sensitive company information is kept in-house while at the same time able to be freely discussed.

• It is easier for the material to be presented across departments, shifts and facilities at one time.

• A natural byproduct of such a workshop is that some element of team building for the participants will occur. It’s common that many participants will spend more time in a single workshop session than they may spend together in a month or even a year at work. Plus, the workshop provides a common experience for the participants.

ATA said that the turnover rate for smaller truckload fleets was down 2 percent to 66 percent, which is 22 percent less than the first quarter of 2016, and is in line with the 64 percent recorded during the fourth quarter of 2016. The less-than-truckload turnover rate for the first quarter was up 2 percent to 10 percent. The turnover rate for LTL carriers is typically much lower than the rate for truckload carriers.

DEMAND FOR LOCATION TRACKING SYSTEMS EXPECTED TO GROW

Radio frequency identification or real-time location-based systems (RTLS) are expected to grow beyond the halfway point throughout the next five years, according to a study conducted by technology company Zebra Technologies.

The manufacturing survey was intended to forecast connected-factory deployments during that span of time. Approximately 64 percent of manufacturers participating in the study said they expect to be connected via RTLS, RFID or bar codes by 2022 — up 20 percent from the 43 percent currently using technology in this way.

The report, known as the 2017 Manufacturing Vision Study, focused on a five-year outlook for the manufacturing industry as a whole. Respondents were asked about their potential and existing uses of mobile technologies, such as smartphones and tablets, voice directions and recognition, wearable technologies, and s location tracking via RFID and RTLS — the latter category including active RFID and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

Patty Welther is the manager of Member Engagement at the Manufacturer & Business Association. To learn more about the MBA’s in-house training or to tailor a program for a group, contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or pwelther@mbausa.org

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

17

HR Q&A | GET ANSWERS DO WE HAVE TO PAY EMPLOYEES FOR COMMUTING TO AN ALTERNATE WORKSITE?

You have to pay an employee for all hours worked, which may include travel that is longer than an employee’s ordinary commute. An employee’s initial drive from home to alternate worksites within the usual business area should not have to be paid, but occasional driving to a distant location may extend beyond an ordinary commute.

The regulations use the term “substantial distance” to evaluate paid travel beyond an ordinary commute, but the regulations do not define this term. As a best practice, consider paying for any additional time that would be practical to record in your payroll system, such as 15 minutes.

You can subtract the time that the employee would ordinarily spend on his or her commute and pay only for the additional driving time. For example, if an employee normally spends 20 minutes commuting, but the employee must drive 60 minutes to attend an annual training session, you should only need to pay wages for the extra 40 minutes beyond the employee’s usual commute.

HOW DO I HANDLE PAYING MY HOURLY EMPLOYEE FOR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL TO ANOTHER CITY?

In most cases, all travel time to another city for an overnight trip counts as paid working time. There is a federal exemption for time spent as a passenger on public transportation that occurs outside of the employee’s normal working hours. To use the above example, suppose the employee took a train to another city and stayed overnight. If this employee normally works from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., any time spent as a passenger outside of normal working hours (i.e., after 5 p.m.) does not technically have to be counted as working time and does not have to be paid (this does not apply to same-day travel, only for overnight travel). Note that the “passenger” exemption is part of federal law only.

States may not recognize this provision.

Time spent waiting (that is, waiting for a flight at an airport) would not fall under the exemption for time spent as a passenger (even if it occurs outside normal hours) and would count as working time.

If travel to another city occurs during normal work hours on a non-work day (i.e., the employee takes the 11 a.m. train on a Sunday), it also counts as hours worked.

Get on Track With These Tips for Successful Telecommuting Telecommuting provides benefits for both employers and employees. Research shows that telework improves the quality of work/life and job performance (for example, reduces office overcrowding and provides a distraction-free environment for reading, thinking and writing). Studies also have found an improvement in retention, leave usage and productivity.

Employing remote workers also creates flexibility in hiring. If the company is restricted by location, it can hire the best and the brightest individuals from just about anywhere.

Negative aspects of telecommuting can include a lack of supervision, security of company information or “face time” with other personnel, for example.

To have an effective telecommuting program, certain guidelines are helpful: • Have the employee designate a particular area in the home as the “home office;” • Have the employee record hours worked; • Have the employee be mindful of ergonomic issues in the home work area; • Consider implementing formal agreements stating expectations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a policy on home offices on February 25, 2000. The policy indicates that employers are not responsible for inspecting an employee’s home to be sure it is safe, that employers aren’t liable for employees’ home offices, and that OSHA will not inspect home offices. However, employers are still responsible for the safety of employees who work at home, and it is possible that an employee will sustain a recordable injury in the home office that arises out of his or her employment. For workers’ compensation purposes, a home office is considered a satellite worksite, and courts look at certain factors to determine whether an injury occurred while the employee was actually engaged in work.

ERIE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Supervisors need to be in frequent communication with teleworkers. Both sides need to keep the other informed of the status of work, progress, difficulties and so on. Don’t forget that teleworkers are still part of the team.

Stacey Bruce, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

SAFE. CONVENIENT. RELIABLE. NOW JUST A TOUCH AWAY! DOWNLOAD OUR TRANSIT TRACKING APP AT WWW.RIDE-THE-E.COM

18

SEPTEMBER 2017 • mbabizmag.com

is the director of HR Services at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or sbruce@mbausa.org.

On the Move Since 1914 Corporate Relocation Solutions

When you combine more than a century of J.H. Bennett experience with the worldwide capacity of United Van Lines you end up with a powerhouse provider of world class transportation solutions.

Corporate Relocation requires a dual approach for success – excellent service to the company and excellent service to the employee involved in the transfer. Whether you are in need of transportation services only, or an entire relocation program – J.H. Bennett can help.

Residential Moving and Storage Packing up and moving your entire household, or even just a small portion, is an enormous task regardless of whether you are moving just down the street or across the country. Let the certified professionals at J.H. Bennett eliminate much of the stress felt while planning your move by customizing your moving experience so that it is exactly what you want it to be.

Professional Warehousing J.H. Bennett boasts a 36,000 sq. ft. modern warehouse to satisfy a wide variety of storage needs including containerized storage, palletized commodities and loose, large item storage. Warehouse tours are available.

Special Product Transportation and Logistics As a total transportation company, no shipment is too big, too small or too unusual for J.H. Bennett. Whether it is a sensitive computer, a large machine component, or a corporate exhibit you can count on us to get it there safely and on-schedule.

In addition to being multi-year winners of United’s Customer Choice and President’s Quality Awards, 2016 was a banner year for J.H. Bennett!

2016 Erie’s Choice Award Winner 2016 Master’s Club Award Winner 2016 PMSA Driver of the Year

www.jhbennett-moving.com

Customer Service Pledge Simply put, our Customer Service Pledge is a commitment of quality service to our customers. We want to create lasting relationships, which means we’re committed to delivering relocation and transportation services that doesn’t simply meet your expectations, it exceeds them.

800.542.8668 / 814.456.5377

• PROCUREMENT • REBATES • ENERGY CURTAILMENT • ENERGY EFFICIENCY CREDITS • UTILITY AUDITS

EVENTS & EXTRAS | NETWORKING AND MORE

The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) strives to keep its members informed on the most current business issues affecting employers in the region. For more information about upcoming events, visit the Association’s website at www.mbausa.org.

Kenneth Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE ), welcomes participants to the 14th annual ERIE Conference on August 1 at Penn State Behrend.

The Manufacturer & Business Association was a proud sponsor of this year’s conference.

The Association recently held a Training Recognition Luncheon at Fork and Barrel for graduates of its Certified Supervisory Skills Serie s in Corry.

manufacturing, rence focused on the future of , The MBA-sponsored ERIE Confe including ERIE Director Ken Louie s, ective persp of ty varie a hearing from lass, chief mia, and keynote speaker Jay Doug acade and try indus from ts exper ute at Robotics for Manufacturing Instit operating officer at the Advanced Carnegie Mellon University.

3025 WEST 17TH STREET * ERIE, PA

LOCAL ASSET TRI-STATE COVERAGE * LTL

* Expedite

NATIONWIDE COVERAGE * LTL

* Expedite

* Truckload

* Specialized

mbabizmag.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

21

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ERIE, PA PERMIT #199

When the happiness of your employees depends on the network of your health plan, choose us.

The success of any organization depends greatly on the health and happiness of its employees. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right health coverage. With UPMC Health Plan, your employees get affordable in-network access to the doctors and hospitals they trust. And you get a health plan that makes sense for your company.

Call your producer or visit www.UPMCHealthPlan.com/employer

Network

Service

Affordability

Depend on it.