Dec 16, 2014 4 min read

MEADOW LANDS – The Great Recession was serving as the Great Compression for United Industrial. It was asphyxiating the Meadow Lands company.

“Six years ago, you could have bought my business for a pizza,” said Bill Furedy, owner and president.

He passed on the pizza, though, and dug in as his firm dug out of financial morass. Over time, United not only survived, it thrived and became an industrial role model.

Tuesday morning, Furedy and his 20 employees savored a delectable piece of the pie.

United Industrial, provider of industrial services and equipment repair, was honored by Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry for its safety record. And, considering the competition, this was a formidable achievement.

Labor & Industry’s Steve Fireoved presented a 2014 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence to United Industrial at its headquarters in Meadowlands Industrial Park in North Strabane Township. Only five companies statewide were chosen from among 400,000-plus employers.

“It’s truly been a watershed year,” said Furedy, of Peters Township, also referring to the 7,500-square-foot addition that is nearing completion, essentially doubling the manufacturing space.

Safety was the impetus for Tuesday’s celebration, though, and a sign on a wall of the original building validated United’s award candidacy. The sign keeps a running count of consecutive days without a lost-time injury, and it read 2,296.

That was more than six years ago, about the time someone could purchase the company with a large pepperoni and mushroom pie.

Fireoved, director of L&I’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, praised United lustily before presenting the trophy. He attended with assistant director Scott Weiant.

“Too many companies don’t have workers’ compensation insurance or a safe workplace,” Fireoved said. “You can’t let your guard down for one moment or you may have an incident. Safety is a journey, not a destination.

“It’s great when you see superstars like your company. Competition is keen, so this is a crowning achievement.”

That crown would fit well on Chuck Lowden’s crown. He is the field service manager and chairman of United Industrial’s safety committee who posed for award photos with Furedy and the workers’ comp officials.

Lowden said a safe workplace is a by-product of a conscientious workforce.

“The guys on the floor are important,” he said. “The senior guys are why we won this. They watch over the newer guys, over everything. They are the reason we have the record we have.”

Washington County’s commissioners – Larry Maggi, Diana Irey Vaughan and Harlan Shober – presented a congratulatory proclamation to United, as did state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D- North Strabane Township.

“This company really puts employees first,” Neuman said. “It is growing and has jobs, but more important, it wants workers to be safe.”

Furedy led a mini-tour of the facilities following the presentation. He is a second-generation family owner, succeeding his father Bill.

The elder Furedy purchased the company in 1953, when it was United Electrical Workers of Aspinwall, then promptly renamed and moved it to East Liberty. Nearly four decades later, in 1991, his son relocated it to its present site.

United deals in electrical and mechanical equipment, and works largely with companies in the steel industry and with Marcellus Shale midstream partners.

Furedy acknowledges the energy boom presents greater possibilities for his company. And a greater need for space.

“I’ve never seen large motors than I’ve seen in the Marcellus Shale industry,” he said.

This is one reason for the addition, and why he will readily say someday he can “put on 10,000 more square feet if needed.”

Further proof the lean times of 2008 and 2009 are past is Furedy is hiring. “I need more mechanics and winders,” he said. “I’d hire four people now if I could get them.”

He wants to build to a point where the company is viable long term.

“We’re looking forward to a good year,” Furedy said. “My commitment is to grow for the next generation. We’re in it to win.”