By Ashleigh Wehrle, President

There was a time not too long ago when nearly every zipper was made right here in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, by the Talon Zipper Company. Talon helped create one of the world's most highly skilled manufacturing workforces, earning Meadville, the town that Area Tool & Manufacturing, Inc. calls home, the nickname "Tool City USA."

My dad was part of Talon’s success story. He worked at the company, became a journeyman toolmaker, and eventually started his own precision machine shop, a legacy I’m proud to carry on today. 

So, when Crawford Career and Technical Center (Crawford Tech) approached me about participating in a video highlighting the past, present, and future of manufacturing in Crawford County, I was thrilled to lend my voice alongside other machine shop owners in the community. 

Crawford County: An American Manufacturing Hub 

As the video shares, nearly 25% of the area’s workforce is in the precision machining and manufacturing industry. Manufacturers are behind almost every aspect of daily life, meaning what happens in Crawford County impacts the world in ways both big and small. 

Crawford County’s precision machine shops have supported NASA’s initiatives to reach Mars and launch the James Webb Space Telescope. One local shop makes high-precision implantable staples for internal surgeries. Another shop in the community once received a direct phone call from Elon Musk requesting advice on welding a particular alloy to maintain strength in a cryogenic environment.  

At Area Tool & Manufacturing, Inc., we make parts for assembly machines that streamline production for life-saving insulin pumps.

Educating the next generation of manufacturers 

The demand for skilled machinists is booming, and two local schools are educating students and parents about the opportunities available in Crawford County. Crawford Tech is one of them, offering precision machining training to students in grades 9-12. The other is Allegheny College. 

Traditionally a liberal arts college, Allegheny launched the Allegheny Lab for Innovation & Creativity to help support the community with pipelines for students to enter manufacturing. The lab is equipped with some of the most advanced machines, including 5-axis mills, wire EDM machines, and automation equipment.

The Future of Manufacturing Lies with All of Us 

I can tell you from firsthand experience and conversations with peers that almost every precision machine shop in Crawford County is looking to recruit and hire manufacturing workers. We have critical positions to fill so that we can continue meeting customers’ needs and maintain Crawford County’s status as an American manufacturing hub. 

Manufacturing touches everything, and there will always be a need for it. I lie awake at night worrying about what will happen to the US economy if domestic manufacturing decreases—and if we don’t inspire the next generation of manufacturers to fill job roles, there is a very real possibility that will happen. 

Many precision machine shops will see large percentages of their workforce retire in the next ten years. I’m committed to doing everything I can to ensure there are people to carry on the legacy. I want young people to know that manufacturing is a viable career path and that they have an opportunity to make a real impact on the world around them. 

Manufacturing is alive and thriving in Crawford County. Let’s make sure it stays that way for generations to come.

Connect with Area Tool & Manufacturing on LinkedIn to learn more about our efforts to support American manufacturing. Need a quote for precision machining services? Fill out our secure quote request form.