S&W Metal Products Makes Inc. 5000 List

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Local metal manufacturer also receives ISO Certification

Reading, PA - S&W Metal Products, Inc., located in Gilbertsville in Berks County, was recently listed on Inc. magazine’s list of 5,000 high-performing companies based on its percentage revenue growth from 2005 through 2008. The Inc. 5000 ranking is one of the most prestigious recognitions for privately held companies in the United States.  S&W Metal Products, Inc. was listed last year as well.

S&W Metals is a production fabrication shop specializing in powder coating, machining, engineering, and prototyping for the transportation, furniture, construction, and material handling industries.  They were one of only 405 manufacturers in the U.S., and one of only fourteen in Pennsylvania, to be named to the Inc. 5000 list in 2009.  Ed Graefe, President of S&W Metals, said, “This recognition is a tribute to the creativity, dedication, and hard work of our employees.” 

Pamela Shupp, Vice President, Berks Economic Partnership, said that entrepreneurial-minded companies continue to grow even during challenging economic times.  “Advanced manufacturing still plays an important role in the Greater Reading economy.  S&W Metals has proven that innovation, technology, and a smart business model can pay dividends,” said Shupp.

In addition to the Inc. 5000 ranking, S&W Metals recently attained its ISO 9001 certification from the International Organization for Standardization.  The certification means that S&W has business processes in place to achieve the highest industry standards for quality management.  The company met a stringent list of criteria and, in the final stage of preparation, passed two comprehensive audits within a month in order to receive the ISO certification.

“To achieve certification in such a short amount of time is truly remarkable.  Our employees showed a total commitment to teamwork and quality in order to get the job done. I’d like to thank the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) and the Workforce & Economic Development Network of PA (WEDNetPA) for their assistance throughout the process,” said Graefe.