Flowline, a New Castle-based leader in manufacturing stainless steel and nickel-based fittings, has joined the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition (LMMC).
Established in 1948 and holding a longstanding strong reputation in Western Pennsylvania, Flowline serves critical industries such as offshore oil and gas, defense, liquefied natural gas and space exploration, producing components ranging from half-inch to 24-inch diameter fittings for connecting pipes and valves.
In the last year under the leadership of company president Jeff Burns, Flowline has been revitalized.
“I work for the guys on the floor. We came here to join the Flowline team,” he said. “Every person here affects the product and we work as a team.”
Burns’ team is committed to workforce development and innovation, and their vision is to position Flowline at the forefront of its industry.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to invest in people, tooling and modernizing equipment, and now we’re operating with the largest backlog in company history,” Burns said.
Why join LMMC?
Burns’ personal journey aligns closely with the goals of LMMC. Having grown up in a manufacturing family, he recognizes the value of engaging young talent early.
“Getting into the community at the middle school level and up is essential,” he explained. “It’s about showing them that manufacturing is more than a job – it’s a career you can take pride in.”
This passion is reflected in Flowline’s forward-looking workforce strategies, which include plans to expand their 81-person team by 20 employees over the next two years.
“Machinists, press operators, welders and inspectors are the fundamental skillsets here,” he said. “We can train anyone who wants to work and has a mechanically inclined mind.”
Joining LMMC was a natural fit for Flowline.
“This coalition provides a platform to work collaboratively with other manufacturers and drive impactful change,” Burns shared. “By being part of LMMC, we’re strengthening the manufacturing community in our region and inspiring the next generation to consider the exciting opportunities in this field.”
Connecting manufacturers to workforce solutions
LMMC is a member-driven organization committed to advancing workforce development and reshaping the narrative around manufacturing careers in Lawrence and Mercer counties. We connect manufacturers, educators and community stakeholders to create sustainable solutions for shared manufacturing workforce challenges.
We invite other manufacturers to join this transformative effort. Reach out to Julie Michael Smith at julie@lawrencemercermfg.com to learn more about the benefits of LMMC membership.
