Oberg’s Apprentice Program Wins White House Award

Washington, DC – Oberg Industries received the Presidential “Pledge to America’s Workers” Award today, in recognition of its long-established apprenticeship development program.  Oberg was one of only 9 companies, out of 440, selected nationally for the inaugural award by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor for organizations demonstrating excellence in workforce training through their Pledge to America’s Workers commitment.  The campaign is part of the Administration’s initiative to employers supporting the millions of workers who need assistance right now while building a resilient, agile workforce for the future. Fellow recipients included Lockheed Martin, Volkswagen USA, and Textron Inc.

“We’re honored that the Council has recognized our distinguished apprentice program as one that supports the National objective of training and retraining the workers needed across high-demand industries.” said Mark Paolillo, CEO of Oberg Industries.  “Since its inception in the early 1950s, nearly 1,000 highly-skilled machinists have graduated through the company’s 4-year paid apprentice program to successful careers in the industry.  Our continued commitment to it highlights our vision for the growth of the company and the American economy,” Paolillo added.

At Oberg’s expanded Apprentice Training Center in Freeport, PA, (shown l to r) apprentice lead Tim Harmon, apprentices Michael Savage, Kameron Ramer, Shannon Bittinger, and Nick Dilick, director of apprentice training and development.

“On behalf of the president, I am honored to award nine extraordinary organizations the Pledge to America’s Workers Award for their commitment to the exceptionalism of the American worker and for their steadfast resolve to equip their employees with the tools to succeed in the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Ivanka Trump, adviser to the president.

This summer, Oberg expanded its Apprentice Training Center to add more CNC machining centers and simulators as well as enlarging classroom and instructor space to accommodate more apprentices.  There are currently 61 active apprentices in the program and the company plans to add 30 apprentices yearly, as part of its pledge, to accommodate projected growth and compensate for retiring workers.

For additional details, click here.

Oberg Medical Grows With Broad Peak Acquisition

FREEPORT, PA – Oberg Medical, a full-service medical device contract manufacturer, is pleased to announce today that it has completed an acquisition of Broad Peak Manufacturing, LLC. A privately-owned manufacturer located in Wallingford, Connecticut, Broad Peak specializes in innovative, high-precision surface preparation and finishing solutions for implants used in joint replacement procedures. Terms and details of the transaction are not being publicly disclosed.

“The addition of Broad Peak’s unique surface enhancement capabilities will expand Oberg’s comprehensive manufacturing and secondary services currently available to our medical OEM customers,” said Cliff Forrest, owner of Oberg Industries, parent company of Oberg Medical. “As we continue to grow, our investments in new and unique technologies are critical for delivering better efficiency, quality and additional value to our customers,” Forrest added.

Oberg Medical, with facilities in Sarver, Pa., Chicago, Ill., and San Jose, Costa Rica, manufactures metal and plastic implants, instruments and assemblies, and automation solutions with a focus on the Orthopedic, Spine, Extremity, Endoscopic/ Laparoscopic, and Cardiac Rhythm Management markets.

Oberg plans to continue operations as usual at the Wallingford facility during its transition to an Oberg Medical division and will retain Philip Milidantri, Vice President, as active manager.

In 2018, Oberg Medical acquired Illinois-based X-L Engineering to add more specialized manufacturing capacity for its customers, recently expanding into a new 70,000 sq. ft. location near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

For a printable version of this release in PDF format, click Oberg Acquisition.

Vice President Mike Pence Visits Oberg

SARVER, PA – Oberg Industries, a solutions-oriented manufacturing partner for precision metal components and assemblies was honored to host United States Vice President Mike Pence and Seema Verma, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday, June 12, 2020. Mr. Pence and Ms. Verma were welcomed upon their arrival at Oberg Medical’s Precision Machining Center in Sarver, PA with a tour of the facility by Oberg owner Cliff Forrest, CEO Mark Paolillo, and Oberg Medical General Manager Jim Hoffman. The Vice President visited various production cells, speaking with a few of the company’s CNC machinists, to learn about Oberg’s manufacturing capabilities.

Mr. Pence and Ms. Verma then visited Oberg’s Metal Stamping Center next door and spoke to invited guests and Oberg employees to share an optimistic outlook for American companies, along with encouraging employment statistics, as businesses resume operations amid the recent pandemic. The Vice President, whose son serves as a Marine Corps aviator and son-in-law as a navy pilot, gratefully recognized several Oberg veterans in the audience and also praised the company’s apprentice program.

He closed by thanking employees for working safely, as an essential manufacturer, through the pandemic to maintain production of necessary medical and military components. It was an honor to have Mr. Pence and Ms. Verma visit Oberg as the first stop of the Vice President’s Great American Comeback Tour!

For a PDF of the Butler Eagle / Business Matters coverage of this event, click: Butler Business Matters July 2020.

For details, images and video relating to Mr. Pence’s visit, click: Vice President Pence Visit

For more information about The Great American Comeback Tour, click: Great American Comeback Tour

Oberg Medical Chicago Expands to New 70,000 Sq. Ft Location

Press release to come

Oberg Announces New Changes in Leadership

FREEPORT, PA – Oberg Industries, a solutions-oriented manufacturing partner for precision metal components and assemblies, has announced today changes in its leadership team that will further enhance the company’s focus on growth within its target markets as well as enhanced delivery and quality products for its customers. Oberg will mark its 71st year in business this July.

The company has promoted Mark Paolillo to Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the strategic direction of Oberg Industries and Oberg Medical. Mark began his career with Oberg Industries 27 years ago as an apprentice toolmaker, earning his Journeyman Certificate in 1996, then advanced into project and account management positions. Mark has held the position of Director of Sales since 2010, including the responsibility of directing the Quotations and Customer Service departments.

Also promoted was Jay Policastro to Chief Commercial Officer with the responsibility of overseeing customer interface activities for both Oberg Industries and Oberg Medical. Since 2017, Jay has been responsible for leading the strategic planning and execution of the company’s medical device manufacturing division.

Cliff Forrest, chairman and owner of the company, said “I am committed to Oberg’s employees and our customers and look forward to supporting Mark and Jay in their new roles with the necessary capital to acquire the best assets and tools to ensure Oberg’s industry leadership.”

Download print-friendly version (PDF)

Oberg Receives Seven Seals Award from ESGR

PITTSBURGH, PA – At an evening ceremony at Pittsburgh’s Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Oberg was recently presented with the distinguished Seven Seals Award. The award is given at the discretion of the PA Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) chairman to recognize the efforts by a citizen, business or organization whose supportive actions have benefitted all of the Reserve Components in a significant manner and demonstrates outstanding support, commitment and and extreme patriotism to the United States military.  While not a final recipient of the organization’s Freedom Award, Oberg Industries was among a very select handful of regional companies nominated for the ESGR distinction. Presented annually to only 15 of the country’s most supportive employers, The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Oberg is honored to receive such recognition and proudly supports its veteran workers. The company has recently partnered with the newly formed Pittsburgh Veteran Employer Coalition, funded by the Heinz Foundation and made up of seven other regional employers including Highmark, Giant Eagle, Pitt Ohio and PNC Financial Services, to collectively promote hiring and retention of veteran talent, and minimize underemployment, by sharing data that will better match available positions to their military experiences.

Oberg Pre-Apprentice Program Awarded by ARM

PITTSBURGH, PA – On May 1, Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) ARM News announced its selection of 11 new education and workforce development projects, awarded to members of its national consortium. Pending final negotiations, ARM plans to provide more than $2.2M in funding with $7.8M in matching partner funds for a total investment of approximately $9.8M across the 11 projects.

Oberg Industries’ new ACE (Apprentice and Career Exploration) pre-apprentice program was one of the projects selected for expanding upon its successful PA-based, medium-sized manufacturer’s existing workforce blueprint to train high school students for potential careers in manufacturing. The specialized curriculum increases student knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and math courses by demonstrating theory to practical application. Teachers from participating high schools will receive additional training and exposure from Oberg to current/future manufacturing processes. The ARM project expands upon the existing program by placing an emphasis on robotic applications in manufacturing. Like the ACE program, many of these projects are being developed and tested regionally; once proven, they will be available for implementation by ARM’s members nationwide.

These projects were selected from the ARM Fall 2018 project call that sought work and learn initiatives for transitioning military and underrepresented populations. The call also provided two open topic areas – one for work and learn and the other for talent attraction.

From ARM’s recent press release on this news, 43% of its 195+ member organizations are now actively involved with at least one funded project. When the negotiations are finalized for these 11 projects, ARM is expected to have a total of 40 projects in place since the organization’s formation in January 2017.

Project funding is one important method that ARM uses to advance manufacturing in the U.S. By having dedicated project calls, ARM seeks to address both the technology and workforce related issues limiting growth in the national manufacturing ecosystem. Selected projects kick-off at the regional level, with the possibility of scaling to a national scale.

“Our team is very excited about the potential of these projects to catalyze growth in US manufacturing. The consistent message we hear from manufacturers is that our nation’s workforce isn’t adequately skilled to sustain significant economic growth. We believe our selected projects, combined with previously awarded projects, help to address this issue,” stated ARM CEO, Dr. Byron Clayton.

JA Honors Oberg Industries as 2018 Impact Company of the Year

Junior Achievement of Western PA, founded nearly 80 years ago, recognized Oberg Industries as its Impact Company of the Year this past Wednesday, November 14, at an evening awards ceremony in downtown Pittsburgh with more than 300 guests in attendance. In addition, the organization also honored four individuals for their contributions whose extraordinary efforts have enriched our community. Oberg joins an impressive group of regional firms celebrated over the years by JA. The selection of Oberg for this award recognizes, through the collective efforts of each of its employees, the company’s contributions to the business, social and cultural assets of the Pittsburgh region.

The opening speech for Oberg was delivered by Megan Mitchell, a 9th grade student at Knoch High School and a Junior Achievement alumni. Megan is the daughter of Craig Mitchell, Account Manager at Oberg, and granddaughter of Dennis Mitchell, who retired from Oberg after 38 years of service. She was the perfect candidate who did a great job of introducing the company to the audience and presenting the award to Oberg CEO, Dave Bonvenuto. Megan (shown center left) with event emcee, Rick Dayton of KDKA-TV (right) and Oberg CEO David Bonvenuto.

Learn more about the event on the JA website

Oberg Becomes ARM Institute Member

FREEPORT, PA – Oberg Industries, a full-service contract manufacturer of precision machined and stamped components located north of Pittsburgh, PA, is proud to announce that it has joined Pittsburgh-based Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM) as a silver-level industry member.

Its partnership with ARM will give Oberg access to the consortium’s community of more than 160 dedicated member organizations of diverse professionals who share a common mission: to create the future growth of the U.S. manufacturing renaissance. This collaborative environment supports Oberg’s overall development and integration of new manufacturing tools and technologies, including robotics, complemented with a specially trained workforce to enhance productivity and innovation.

Founded at Carnegie Mellon University, ARM is an independent non-profit for robotics ingenuity and expertise to accelerate growth in US-based manufacturing and high-value careers.

Learn more about ARM at: www.ARMInstitute.org

Oberg Marks 70th Anniversary

FREEPORT, PA – In recognition of the company’s 70th Anniversary, Oberg Industries marked the celebratory event with lunch including subs, soda, chips, cake and T-shirts for more than 600 employees at its 3 facilities in Freeport and Sarver. Management, including President & CEO David Bonvenuto, Dave Elias, COO and Bryan Mikula, VP Manufacturing, were on hand to help cut cake and pass out shirts for the event. Oberg Manufacturing opened its doors in 1948 with 11 employees in nearby Tarentum, PA.

The August issue of Butler County Business Matters highlighted the company’s landmark anniversary with a retrospective article on its start and impact in the region.

Download the full press article with images.