Blog

Are you ready to take your manufacturing skills to the next level? Catalyst Connection proudly presents our state-registered Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program, meticulously crafted to elevate entry-level manufacturing skills and carve a clear career trajectory for both current and new team members. This 18-month program offers manufacturers a unique chance to invest in their workforce through a customized, competency-based on-the-job training approach. Our program is designed to provide…

The start of a new year means fresh faces on our Executive Committee and Board of Directors. These influential professionals who are committed to driving innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector are of critical importance to the future of small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in the 12-county southwestern Pennsylvania region. As one of the largest Industrial Resource Centers in Pennsylvania and one of the country’s leading Manufacturing Extension…

Connie Palucka, Catalyst Connection’s Vice President of Consulting, has transitioned into semi-retirement as of January 2. For Ms. Palucka, semi-retirement means working only 8 to 12 days per month, allowing her to expand her travel adventures, revive her artistic skills, and hopefully get back in shape. It will mark a substantial change for Ms. Palucka, who started her career as a bench chemist and has led Catalyst’s Consulting and…

As we look ahead to a new year, now is the ideal time for small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to revisit their strategic plans and either update them or develop new ones for 2024. Strategic planning is essential for organizations that want (or need) to navigate the complexities of today's increasingly dynamic business environment. A well-crafted strategic plan serves as a roadmap that guides decision-making and resource allocation to…

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, now is the ideal time for manufacturers in southwestern Pennsylvania and the organizations that serve them to reflect on the bright present and brighter future of companies that employ about 88,000 people in manufacturing jobs. That figure is just under 1% of the national total and in line with southwestern Pennsylvania’s proportion of the U.S. population. Most notably, the use of real estate by manufacturers…