Crayola. Lutron. Mack Trucks. Martin Guitar. Olympus. 

Lehigh Valley is home to companies that make some of the world’s most-recognized brands. At Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s recent Fall Signature Event, “Lehigh Valley: Making Products & Making Places,” executives from those global manufacturers shared why they put roots down here, how they are evolving to compete for the future, and how they have become deeply connected with the community.

A record turnout of about 450 people attended the event Nov. 11 at Archer Music Hall in downtown Allentown. The centerpiece of the evening was a panel discussion that emphasized innovation, community pride, and the importance of local roots in the companies’ success.

The discussion was moderated by Don Cunningham, President & CEO of LVEDC and included panelists:

• Brian Donlon, Vice President and General Manager of Sales Operations, Lutron Electronics
• David Hartzell, Sr., President & CEO, Mack Defense
• Richard Reynolds, President, Medical Systems Group, Olympus Corporation of the Americas and Vice Chair of LVEDC’s Board of Directors
• Thomas Ripsam, President & CEO, C.F. Martin & Co.
• Peter Ruggiero, President & CEO, Crayola

The executives explained what led their companies to the Lehigh Valley, starting with C.F. Martin & Co. in the 1830s, followed by Crayola and Mack Trucks in the early 1900s, then Lutron Electronics in the 1960s and Olympus in 2006.

Martin Guitar landed in Nazareth, at the recommendation of a friend, not long after founder Christian Frederick Martin left Germany. Crayola came seeking raw materials such as slate for its pencils and chalkboards, and to harness the power of the Bushkill Creek in Easton.

“The Bushkill Creek is important because environmental sustainability became part of our DNA,” Ruggiero said. “Today, we run all of our operations with renewable energy in the U.S.”

Lutron moved to the Lehigh Valley from New York partly because of family connections. Co-founder Ruth Spira was the daughter of publisher J.I. Rodale, who founded the Rodale Institute in Emmaus.

Mack Trucks moved out of New York, too. Olympus sought a location close to major East Coast markets, with a high quality of life where employees would want to live.

The executives stressed that they prioritize making their companies more than just a place to work – they are part of the Lehigh Valley community.

“A big part of our values is if you work for Martin, you have to actively participate in the community. So, we donate time, we donate a lot of money,” Ripsam said. “Giving back is a big deal for us, and we believe strongly in that.” 

Cunningham asked the executives to share how they have continued to innovate in the Lehigh Valley as they compete in the rapidly changing global marketplace.

Donlon said at Lutron, that spirit of innovation was driven by co-founder Joel Spira, who was adamant that every product would be new and advance technology for its customers.

“He was meticulous about making sure that we delivered the highest quality, reliable product possible for our customers,” Donlon said. “And with that, some of those products, because they were new to the world, created new business opportunities for many of our customers. We've got thousands of customers who have built their business around the design, installation, and commissioning of our products.”

Martin Guitar has evolved because its employees, while based in the Lehigh Valley, look outward for global perspective on what musicians are seeking, Ripsam said. The company sticks to what it does best, he said, and “plays the long game.”

“Because in my mind, that's how you create something that's unique and differentiated, versus jumping around,” he said.

Olympus has moved research and design teams out of the company’s home country of Japan and into the U.S. to be closer to customers, Reynolds said. He said the company is exploring how artificial intelligence, robotics, and other technology can play a role.

Mack Trucks invests 10% of its sales in research and development, Hartzell said. The newest vehicles at Mack Trucks have 30 electronic control modules, compared to one in 1980. He said the company has worked to improve fuel efficiency, as even small improvements can make a significant difference in how much customers spend on fuel.

The Mack Defense division is continually revising vehicles to ensure they meet the safety and operational needs of the military to protect them against evolving threats in environments around the world, Hartzell said.

Crayola has focused on transforming its production capabilities, Ruggiero said. He noted that in 2007, one operator would produce 20,000 markers on a shift. Today, they make 220,000 per shift.

“The transformation and automation and productivity and cost management have enabled us to really differentiate ourselves from our competition,” Ruggiero said.

Trivia, Music, Product Displays, and More

LVEDC’s Fall Signature Event also included: 

• Remarks from J.B. Reilly, President of City Center Group that developed Archer Music Hall. He explained how the venue was created to be a centerpiece of Downtown West, a live-work-play neighborhood that was honored last year with an award from the Urban Land Institute.
• A Lehigh Valley Trivia contest, hosted by Grover Silcox, a five-time Emmy Award-winning on-air host and reporter at WLVT PBS39, with prizes for the top three finishers.
• Music by singer and guitarist Sam Houseal, an employee of Martin Guitar who performed on stage.
• Caricature sketches by artist Alexander Clare, using Crayola products.
• Product displays by the featured companies.

The sponsors of LVEDC’s Fall Signature Event, “Making Products & Making Places,” were:

Presenting Sponsor: Highmark Blue Shield

Venue Sponsor: City Center Group

Platinum Sponsors: Crayola and Freshpet.

Cocktail Sponsor: Klunk & Millan Advertising.

Gold Sponsors: Alvernia University, B. Braun, J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc., Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, and St. Luke's University Health Network.

Silver Sponsors: Archer Music Hall, BMI Mergers & Acquisitions, Boyle Construction, BSI Corporate Benefits, Comcast, Julabo USA, Lutron, Marshall Industrial Technologies, NJM, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, OraSure Technologies, Inc., QNB Bank, SERVPRO Team Davis, and TWG Security.  

(Photos by Marco Calderon Photography)