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Our Journey to Certification as a Minority and Veteran-owned Business By Ivette Parker and Mary Young, Grant Manufacturing and Alloying, Inc.
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rant Manufacturing and Alloying, Inc was cofounded in 1981 by Mr. Kenneth Thompson who hails from the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia. He describes his younger self as “a messed up black kid from the hood.” As a minority back then, you fell to the bottom of the barrel when it came to opportunities to get ahead.
Save the Date! March 15, 2023 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. The Abraham Lincoln, Reading PA Connect with other minorityowned small businesses and learn more about the Why and How of certification. Network with companies who are committed to hiring minority-owned businesses. For more information, contact SHARE@greaterreading.org
Fast forward 40 years, Mr. Thompson partnered with an acquaintance and founded what is now Grant Manufacturing, a maker of tin and tin alloy products located in the heart of Pennsylvania. As one of just a handful of tin alloy manufacturers in the world, Grant Manufacturing and Alloying provides its tin products to many manufacturers around the globe.
The “Why” of Certification Mr. Thompson decided to become a minority certified business because the companies that purchased his products would be eligible for tax incentives if they met certain criteria. This enabled them to pass those savings on to their customers. In exchange, Mr. Thompson’s customers also would receive special consideration when seeking government grants or contracts. As he began looking for a potential buyer in 2020 with the hope of retiring for good, Mr. Thompson’s stepson, Michael A. Parker, purchased the business in 2022. Mr. Parker is a veteran of the U.S. Army. His son, Jose, followed in his footsteps, as did his daughter, Ayanna, in joining the ranks of the Armed Forces. Mr. Parker felt it was important that Grant be recognized as both minority and veteran owned. With his successors being members of the Armed Forces, Mr. Parker is paving the way for the business to continue serving the purpose for which it was founded.
“The benefits of these certifications enhance our ability to provide products that enable our customers to grow, compete and thrive.” We look forward to leaving a legacy to our children, grandchildren, and future generations. How proud our great grandkids will be looking back and telling their kids, “This is what our family started, and it’s ours now because someone didn’t give up on their dreams.” 20 COMMERCE QUARTERLY SUMMER 2022