ERIE, Pa.—It's been a little more than a year since Jon Meighan purchased Lake Erie Rubber & Manufacturing in Erie, and already the owner is looking to hire more professionals at his custom rubber molding and manufacturing company.
Business has continued to grow at Lake Erie Rubber, Meighan said, which has allowed the company to expand its work force. So far he has moved two press operator positions from part- to full-time status and hired two additional full-time operators to help with the increased workload.
The firm makes a variety of custom rubber molded products.
"We're maintaining our management staff but I could see a need for us to grow there as well in the future," Meighan said. "We're still looking for experienced press operators (for hire) but it's difficult. The job market is so strong right now."
Meighan said that many experienced press operators and personnel have retired during the last several years throughout the industry, and once last decade's recession hit, working in the manufacturing sector was seen largely as a low-paying job with few career opportunities. Now with demand rising, Meighan said new employees often require more training because any viable candidates likely have little experience in the field.