Representative Fitzpatrick Visits Specialty Ring

Congressman Fitzpatrick at the specialty ring facility

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick took time recently to stop by Specialty Ring Products to better understand how manufacturers like us are dealing with an environment that has made it increasingly difficult to find qualified employees.

Congressman Fitzpatrick, whose district includes SRP’s hometown of Bensalem, met with our president Alex Jennings along with members of the Bucks County Community College (BCCC) Center for Workforce Development (CWD). CWD has been instrumental in assisting SRP with its hiring needs by placing its manufacturing students at SRP.

At the meeting, Jennings and CWD explained the challenges they face in a tight labor market, such as finding skilled workers, increasing awareness of the opportunities that come from working in manufacturing, and the difficulties of retaining talent.

Members of the CWD stressed how strong a partner SRP has been, helping develop the college’s industrial training programs, and serving on the board of the BCCC Foundation.

For his part, Rep. Fitzpatrick offered suggestions on how federal and state agencies could be of assistance in meeting these challenges, such as adopting more of a focus on two-year colleges and the skilled trades rather than incurring the debt of a four-year college.

After the meeting, the congressman, whose father had been a blacksmith, toured our manufacturing facilities and was impressed by both the activity in the shop and the amount of recent capital investment we’ve made.

Rep. Fitzpatrick also presented SRP with an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol and with a certificate that recognized SRP’s “129 years of operation and for your steadfast commitment to delivering the best possible products and services.”

Based just outside of Philadelphia, Specialty Ring Products is the premier source for forged, seamless rolled rings and shapes. Its products consistently meet the most demanding, high-stress needs of clients in aerospace, defense, bearing and other industries. A privately held, family-owned business, each generation has adhered to a legacy that stresses quality, dependability, and pride.

rep fitzpatrick standing with the president of specialty ring