NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
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Power Drives, Inc. (PDI) — a manufacturer and distributor of systems and components for industrial fluid transference and treatment — has announced that it will be consolidating its U.S. manufacturing operations to the company’s manufacturing facility and headquarters in the Larkinville District of Buffalo, N.Y.
“The eventual consolidation of the Erie and Buffalo plants was part of our long-term strategic plan, however the impact of the COVID-19 virus on company sales prompted the consolidation sooner than planned,” president and CEO Lou Panzica said.
Company leaders and management are working with employees affected by the move. Many are being asked to stay with the company, either working remotely or by making the move to Buffalo.
As part of the consolidation, PDI will add 30-35 positions to its Larkinville facility. With plans for increased sales in 2021 and several new customers, “The company will emerge a leaner, more efficient operation when under one roof,” Panzica said.
The retail store that operates within the same building as the Erie plant, the Express Hose Center, will be unaffected by the move. Sales activity in the region will also continue as usual.
The company manufactures custom hose and tube assemblies for fuel, coolant, hydraulic oil and air used in the production of diesel engines and mobile equipment in its Buffalo plant. The Erie facility manufactures fuel conditioning and oil filtration systems for locomotives. All U.S. production will be consolidated in the 77,000-square-foot facility located on Exchange Street in Buffalo by the end of the year.