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LaBella Associates launches division focused on power systems
Rochester–based LaBella Associates, P.C., an architectural and engineering firm, on June 1 launched a new division that focuses on power systems. LaBella operates local offices in the Syracuse Tech Garden and at 202 The Commons in Ithaca. It also has upstate offices in Buffalo, Hornell, Corning, with additional out-of-state locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North […]
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Rochester–based LaBella Associates, P.C., an architectural and engineering firm, on June 1 launched a new division that focuses on power systems.
LaBella operates local offices in the Syracuse Tech Garden and at 202 The Commons in Ithaca. It also has upstate offices in Buffalo, Hornell, Corning, with additional out-of-state locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North Carolina. The firm also has an office in Madrid, Spain.
LaBella Associates employs 340 people and specializes in architecture, engineering, environmental consulting, surveying, planning, and grant writing.
The newest division will help service the electrical-supply industry from substation automation to infrastructure-upgrade projects.
LaBella Associates has provided this service for utility companies since 1984, a spokesperson for LaBella Associates said in response to an email inquiry from CNYBJ.
Citing workload and staffing needs, LaBella Associates decided to create the power-systems division in order to “focus more” on the electrical-utility work.
“Providing this service better aligns the experience and abilities of personnel and other resources with the needs of our clients in this highly specialized field,” the spokesperson said.
LaBella during the last two years has made “substantial” investments of about $1.2 million in personnel, software, and other technology to develop its ability to serve the power-system market.
Catalyst for growth
Over the past few years, power-system distribution has been a “catalyst for growth” throughout the company, according to a company news release.
When asked to elaborate, the spokeswoman said the growth occurred in its employee count, client roster, and in sales.
LaBella generated $40 million in revenue during 2014, up 27 percent from the prior year, she said.
That growth resulted from LaBella employees, directors, and marketing staff working across divisional lines as the firm developed the new service area.
Sean Evans, who has more than 14 years of power-systems experience, will serve as the new division director. LaBella hired Evans to “oversee all electrical work in the division,” the spokeswoman said.
His team includes Fernando Sanchez, power-systems engineering manager, who oversees LaBella’s office in Madrid, Spain.
Additionally, LaBella has hired 20 engineers and technicians, according to Robert Pepe, CFO of LaBella. Depending on workload, the company could be hiring more people in the near future, he added.
“This unique evolution has provided LaBella the opportunity to seek out new clients and new geographies,” Robert Healy, company president, said in the news release.
When asked to elaborate on the meaning of new geographies, the spokeswoman wrote in the email response, “LaBella explores opportunities locally and globally.”
When asked to name any clients that the firm is servicing with the new division, the LaBella spokeswoman would only say that its clients include “several large local utility companies.” The firm can also offer the services in this division to additional market sectors such as municipalities, industrial, renewable, and higher education.
“LaBella looks forward to exploring new options with different utility companies locally and globally to increase revenue and employee growth,” the company said.
SBA honors ECO-Foam Insulators president as Young Entrepreneur of the Year
OSWEGO — The Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) last month honored Matthew Magrisi, president of ECO-Foam Insulators, Inc. of Oswego, as its 2015 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The Oswego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) nominated Magrisi for the honor. The SBA chose him for the award based
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OSWEGO — The Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) last month honored Matthew Magrisi, president of ECO-Foam Insulators, Inc. of Oswego, as its 2015 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
The Oswego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) nominated Magrisi for the honor. The SBA chose him for the award based on his company’s “increase in sales and profits and his demonstrated long-term potential as a successful business owner,” according to a news release.
Magrisi received his award at the SBA Syracuse district office’s annual awards luncheon on May 11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in DeWitt, near Carrier Circle.
About ECO-Foam Insulators
Magrisi and his wife Stephanie in 2012 began ECO-Foam Insulators, after they graduated from the Oswego SBDC’s small-business training class.
The company seeks to “help home and business owners conserve energy,” according to the SBA news release.
With continued counseling from SBDC senior business advisor John Halleron, the 27-year-old Magrisi accessed funding from a local development agency to purchase equipment and obtained a line of credit for cash-flow management, the SBA said. It didn’t name the development agency.
Besides “environmentally friendly” insulation products, ECO-Foam also offers energy-efficient windows, doors, and construction materials.
In its fourth year in business, ECO-Foam employs a “factory-trained” staff with two full-time and two part-time employees.
Before starting ECO-Foam, Magrisi worked as an estimator with a construction business. He also operated his own lawn-care business after high school, the SBA said.
New Initiatives Advance Our Regional Export Growth Strategies
When CenterState CEO and its partners launched the CenterState Metropolitan Export Initiative, regional exports were a little more than $6 billion; today they have grown to almost $7 billion. While this growth is encouraging evidence of progress, we continue to find new ways to realize our region’s true export potential. This is why I am excited
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When CenterState CEO and its partners launched the CenterState Metropolitan Export Initiative, regional exports were a little more than $6 billion; today they have grown to almost $7 billion. While this growth is encouraging evidence of progress, we continue to find new ways to realize our region’s true export potential. This is why I am excited to share with you the launch of two new initiatives that will support business growth and advance our joint global trade and investment strategy to grow our regional economy.
The first is the development of a foreign direct investment plan for the region. Syracuse is just one of six metros selected by the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase to develop a regional plan to attract and leverage foreign direct investment. This work builds on the existing regional export plan, developed as part of the Global Cities Initiative, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase, by advancing a second core component of the region’s global engagement and investment strategy. Others metros selected include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Des Moines, and the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metro in South Carolina.
Also, JPMorgan Chase awarded CenterState CEO a $40,000 grant to establish an Export Catalyst Pilot Program, targeting middle market businesses in the region. Through the program, up to six companies that have a globally competitive product but lack experience or capacity for international sales, will be matched with export specialists to provide market identification and assessment, entry requirements and buyer identification services. Through mentoring and one-on-one skills training, company staff will gain the knowledge and experience they need to continue to grow internationally. Our goal is to create a permanent program following the pilot to ensure continued growth for middle-market companies in the area.
These and other export consultation and assistance services are available to you as we continue to strengthen the region’s global connections and competitiveness. Businesses interested in leveraging global opportunities should reach out to Steven King, executive director of the Central New York International Business Alliance, at (315) 470-1800 or email: sking@cnyiba.net.
Robert M. (Rob) Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the primary economic-development organization for Central New York. This editorial is drawn and edited from the “CEO Focus” email newsletter the organization sent to members on June 5.
Community Bank says deal to acquire Oneida Financial needs more time
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JPMorgan Chase awards OCC $220K grant for workforce-development program
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Ashley Furniture to open store in Fairmount Fair
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M&T Bank to issue chip-enabled debit cards to customers
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Germany awards MEADS contract to Lockheed Martin
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Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.