Monday Manufacturing Motivation with the MEP (NWIRC)

Curt Anderson  0:02

Hey, we’re live. Hey, hey work. Happy Monday, Bob. So what more than honor what a privilege this kind of low tech issues today. So LinkedIn live good runs through I use stream yard. And apparently stream yard was having little challenges. We were supposed to be live today at 12 o’clock Eastern Time. but better late than never. We’re here at 130. So, Bob, welcome to our program. We are talking manufacturing Monday motivation here on Monday, October 4. Welcome. And thank you for joining us today.

Robert Zaruta  0:32

Well, thank you, Curt. And it’s great to be with you. Absolutely. So

Curt Anderson  0:36

Bob is a rodent. So, boy, we have a ton to pack. I know you’re super busy guy. We have a lot to cover in a short period of time. So let’s just dig right in. So what we want to talk about you are the president of NWI RC, what on earth is NW? iirc? Can you please tell the folks what’s going on in your world

Robert Zaruta  0:55

share. So we are the northwestern Pennsylvania industrial Resource Center. And as the NW IRC. We’re part of a state network of seven centers and a national network of manufacturing extension partnerships, which I know you are familiar with the MEP network.

Curt Anderson  1:16

Absolutely. So Bob, I want let’s so let’s go a step further. Because what I’d love to do is I want to I want to go back. But since we’re there right now, let’s talk about so for anybody that’s not familiar with like, did you see me MEP? What does MEP stand for? What is manufacturing extension partnership? So if anybody is not familiar with the MEP network, please share a little bit about what what is this wonderful program for manufacturers?

Robert Zaruta  1:39

Sure. So the manufacturing extension partnership, and I’ll refer to it now as the MEP consists of an MEP in every state of the United States and Puerto Rico. So there’s 51 Mbps and we’re a combination of organizations from university base to 501. c three, not for profits. But the network is part of the National Institute of Standards and technologies Department of Commerce. And so we we help, our focus is to help the small, medium size manufacturing companies to improve their ability to compete to grow, to create jobs. And we’ve been doing this for nearly 30 years on a national level and over 30 years here in Pennsylvania,

Curt Anderson  2:30

right, wonderful. And as a seasoned veteran of the MEP network, you’ve seen a great evolution over the past 21 years, 21 years of your tenure. So what I’d love to do, Bob is is take a step back and you were you know, I know you’re a great leader, you’ve been part of MEP network since the year 2000. And tremendous Modi, which we love and respect and admire about you. But I love that we’re gonna talk about Bob for one minute here. Okay, please, let’s go back in time a little bit. Sure a little bit about your background experiences, what you’ve gone through prior to starting with the MVP network, I know you’re entrepreneur, you had to start up with in some telecommunications, great growth, success story, their fortune 500 experience, just talk share a little bit about yourself and your evolution prior to getting to the MEP network. Sure,

Robert Zaruta  3:20

sure. So back in my early days of work, I think there’s two parts that I chair one is I actually grew up in a in a family business. My dad and mom had a restaurant and so I was ingrained in that family business from an early age. But when I went to college at King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, then I went on to several different industries. And I had the opportunity to work specifically with a number of manufacturing companies, I can think back in that timeframe, I spent some time with manpower an international staffing company. And and of course, you know, staffing, even back then, much like it is today in manufacturing is a big deal. Right? So, so many of my clients there at that time, more manufacturing companies, but I really had an opportunity long my career path to start my own business. I spent a number of years in the telecommunications industry, again, part of my client base was manufacturing companies. But I had a chance to start my own business i i co founded a startup business to business in telecommunications, and we grew the organization, you know, to a small business of 13 employees and and did well and then I decided to move on from there but you know, that experience certainly gave me an opportunity to combine with my growing up in a family business to really understand some of the challenges and and issues that small businesses whether it’s a manufacturer or not are having and and continue to have even to this day. So that’s part of the And then from there, I had the opportunity to get connected in this network in this program in the northeastern Pennsylvania area with the center that was serving that region at that time. And I’ll tell you, Kurt, it was a it was it was a, it was somewhat of a blessing to go from, you know, that industrial setting and business setting to one that was a not for profit, driven by the impact the organization was having with manufacturing companies. And this is brought up a feeling of really doing meaningful work to help small businesses to grow, create jobs, retain jobs, and be successful. Oh,

Curt Anderson  5:43

man, this is so good, bad. I mean, what did a rewarding amazing career that you’ve built, and again, it would, you know, we interview as you know, a number, a large number of folks from MEP network, we had your dear friend Petra, Mitchell on a program couple weeks ago, we’ve had Purdue with all sorts of just wonderful folks. And a common thread is everybody just shares his deep, unbridled passion for helping manufacturers and it’s just so rewarding, especially with what the times that we’ve gone through with COVID. So how just and I’d love for you to look just for my own curiosity, how did the MEP network Come on your radar? How did you transition? So again, back in 2000? Were you familiar with MEP network? or How did it come about that you walked in their door?

Robert Zaruta  6:26

Yeah, no, I was not I was not. But someone told me that the the IRC in that region, knee perk, and epi IRC was a company that was doing this type of work. And one of the things that struck me of importance was the the need to be innovative to develop programs and bring to market those programs that can best help the manufacturers at any given time, because within ovation, you know, things are always changing. And you need to be on top of what you can do and how you can do that. And, and so that, that intrigued me. And and I haven’t been disappointed because of my experience throughout the state program. And then when I moved from the eastern side of the state to this position now to lead this center in northwest Pennsylvania. I look back now in the five years and you know that innovation, that opportunity to innovate and to bring programs to market that can be really beneficial to help manufacturers and the industry be successful. continued.

Curt Anderson  7:29

Yep, absolutely. And so so again, so maybe folks on the West Coast or folks in other areas aren’t familiar Pennsylvania. So you started your journey with the North East IRC, right? Yes. And then transition 16 years 16 year veteran, five years ago transition, and now you’re the president, CEO of the NW IRC just slid over a different part of the state, that’s all. So now there’s seven, seven different regions, if I’m not mistaken, in Pennsylvania, a little bit of a different model where some folks are some MEPs will have one main center me with regional areas throughout the state, Pennsylvania is a little bit different. So there’s seven different regions. Now minor center, you’re currently the president of the kind of the overall fuel. We explain that a little bit.

Robert Zaruta  8:13

Yeah, so we are seven centers and we collaborate and we meet on a weekly basis. And but we are seven entities that make up what is referred to as the Pennsylvania manufacturing, extension partnership. So So my role is is kind of somewhat of a dual role. Most of my time, though, is spent as the president, CEO of the nbrc. But we are we are colleagues and we as I said, we collaborate and we meet regularly. So I have the responsibility to be as academia as the president of the IRC network. So that’s the seven centers really coming together, and looking for ways to be able to help the industry sector across the state.

Curt Anderson  8:58

That’s awesome. So again, so a lot of manufacturing in the great state of Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and like you set up to the north central Penn State, of course, in the middle of the state. So a lot of what a lot of legacy manufacturing going on in the state of Pennsylvania. So you see, you know, cutting edge, wonderful chain innovations changes kind of on the forefront and get over your 21 years. Sure. A little bit about what what do you seen as far as MEPs? What are some of the current programs, whether you’re seeing statewide or what you’re running at NW our IRC, I’m sorry, share a little bit of what’s going on right now that you guys are tackling.

Robert Zaruta  9:36

Yeah. So so you know, we have these seven regions and seven centers, and there are some common issues and challenges and opportunities that are across the state. The right now no question manufacturers are, are like many businesses are struggling and challenged by a tight labor market. The good news Is that manufacturing, as a sector, not only in the Pennsylvania, but nationally is increasing. And, you know, all of that is putting a little bit more pressure on on making sure that manufacturers can meet their customer demand. So that’s certainly at the top of the list. And all the centers, not just in Pennsylvania, but across the country, from my communications that I have, are looking to help manufacturers with their talent, pipeline and onboarding and new employees and building and retaining those, that that culture where you’re an employer of choice, all those things are so important today. But in addition to that, you know, certainly there’s an opportunity to take advantage of the rapidly changing technologies, you know, advanced manufacturing technologies today that are really giving manufacturers a competitive advantage. And that gives the industry sector an opportunity to grow. So we’re all working to help manufacturers to adopt new technologies accelerate the adoption of that technology. So those are the top two areas that I think it’s pretty common across the horizon as far as all the centers, but you know what I want to add, Curt, if I could, because, you know, even though we have seven centers, and some of the other states may have one center with locations, you know, in Pennsylvania, you know, the model that we have with the seven entities and making up the group seven independent, in essence, entities has served this state Well, you know, I think back in 2000, and, you know, the Northeast Pennsylvania had certain type manufacturing that had a niche, a niche there that’s different, even from Northwest although the demographics are similar, a lot of smaller, more rural manufacturers. Give me an example, Northwest industrial resource region, which is 13 counties. Yep. 10,000 square mile footprint. Yeah. But in that region, we have a high concentration of plastics. Yes. And we also have a lot of tool and dye manufacturers in Crawford County. Yeah. And then if you go over this North Central Region, powdered metal is an industry itself within manufacturing. And so there’s some commonality there with the other regions of the state. But there’s also some uniqueness there, too. So this model has given all of us the seven centers the ability to be really on top of their game, be close to the manufacturers understand what their readers need, and be right there to respond with innovative solutions. Man,

Curt Anderson  12:33

this dude, this is Ah, this is so good man. I absolutely love this because in Pennsylvania, like you’re saying was an Erie that I don’t still is plastic capital at one point in time, you know, so there’s a, you know, Don, down the road from you, and Meadville is amazing manufacturers, you go across interstate 80, across the state of Pennsylvania, all sorts of wonderful manufacturers, like you said, down in Pittsburgh, different things are going on, you know, so it’s, it’s great that you’re coming in collective, and there’s just so much unpack with what you just said, I want to talk just for one second, we’re going to come back to Pennsylvania, let’s look at a national scope for a minute. Okay. So as you shared, you know, what’s great, and I’m why we’d like showcasing This is like just kind of exposing to manufacturers, just the enormous amount of talent that are that are hosted MEP centers. It’s just it’s just so enlightening. And as wonderful is such a blessing of what you bring to the table, in its objective opinion, in my opinion, objective advice, expertise that you’re bringing to that manufacturer, like you said, being mission minded, as opposed to, you know, say profit focus, you can come in objectively. Now I know. So say if I come into your center, NW IRC, and maybe you guys tackle lean ISO, operational excellence, cybersecurity, all sorts of different topics, if there’s something that falls out of your umbrella, necessarily at your center, but you have seven other centers, not only seven other centers, you have NIST, the National Network, we had Sylvia Paulson on our program, she’s your cyber security expert at Agnes, or you can do outreach for other states. Now, I know you’ve rolled out national programs with sales and marketing, helping other centers and other MEPs around the country. Talk a little bit about how you collaborate on a national scale, then I want to come back to Pennsylvania.

Robert Zaruta  14:18

Sure, sure. So yeah, we we in fact, we just had a best practices conference where centers from around the country were there and and and learning from each other as to what’s what’s happening, what’s working well and come back with new programs and new ideas are center. at the conference. Prior to this one, we had a breakout session that we shared one of our programs to the to our peers across the country. You mentioned some of my personal travel around some of the other MEPs in that program. Yeah, I spent a good part of three years, spending about a half of my time traveling to a number of MEPs with regards to how they approach their manufacturers in their regions from a standpoint of serving them from a solution based process. And we did that to help those centers improve their ability to serve more manufacturers and to a greater degree and, and then it led to where their manufacturers were also tapping into some of those best practices process and tools to help their own businesses be better at sales and marketing to so it’s really a network that shares its collaborates. And as a result, we’re stronger and stronger for it. Because we have that approach. I hope that answers your question.

Curt Anderson  15:39

No, absolutely dead. This is so good. And like you said, you know, so. So say folks that are, you know, like you said, you know, urban, rural, wherever they you know, suburban, whatever manufacturer where they are, and you know, you like you said, You grew up as an entrepreneur and an entrepreneurial family, you’ve been an entrepreneur yourself. You know, so I don’t have any hair left. I was not I’ve been an entrepreneur for 30 years. It’s It’s not easy, it’s stressful. It’s challenging. It’s 24. Seven, in a lot of times as entrepreneurs, especially the manufacturing world, man, you know, manufacturers are widget experts. Boy, nobody makes that product that widget better than they do. The challenges. You know, sometimes they find themselves in a silo or an island or kind of on their own week goes by a month goes by. They’re not really networking collaborating, because they’re just they’re down in the trenches, working relentlessly. What’s great is with the MEP network, they don’t have to be in an island. They’re not in a silo. And you can kind of come in you know, we talked about this weekend week out with other MEPs but you kind of play almost that fractional role, if you will. A couple dear friends of mine I know collaborate with you like the folks that protocol at their inbound marketing experts, Josh Kersey, oh, Mark,

Robert Zaruta  16:50

Max crude does a lot of operational excellence programs for you share a little bit about how you outreach to third party consultants of bring in for other programs and some of the programming that you’re doing right now and up you IRC. Yeah. And it’s really at the heart of our approach and our model, when you know, when we work with a manufacturing company, and they engage with our business advisors, they’re engaging with someone that’s coming in with a clear, independent view, we’re not looking to to provide a service that we have, what we’re looking for, is to better build a relationship and understand the issues and challenges and opportunities. And then at the same time, we’re doing that on a daily basis, we’re also connecting with the right resources and knowing what those resources are capable of like some of the ones you just mentioned, right. And there’s others. And so we go through that process. And so when we have a manufacturer that has a need, we’re objectively assessing that and then reaching out to one or more of those resources, that could be potential solutions to help that manufacturer for what they need. So the manufacturer gains the benefits of that independent view. But they also get the services of having that vetted resource that they don’t need to go out and try to find, spend time and money to try to find and then at the same time, we can bring some of that project management to make sure that all goes according to what that our client wanted. So your package that all together in and it does help manufacturers to spend more time on their business, and less time doing some of those things that we can help him.

Curt Anderson  18:29

Absolutely can does this guy, this is so good. So let’s talk about your team. And you know, again, you know, I admire you do a great job. I’ve actually participated with protocol 80. So I’ve been, you know, part of your programs, I just did a head of honor and blessing of just did a ecommerce webinar for you guys a couple of weeks ago. So my dear friend, my buddy, Molly is just absolutely awesome. I know I’m going to try to rattle off your team. You have two leases, we have Lisa and Lisa, you have Michael does a great job. Andrew, Laurie, I knows out there Kim is out there. I hope I didn’t. And did I I hope I covered everybody. But you have an amazing, incredible team. And I want to and I know you’re very humble, I credit that is your leadership sure about your team, and what you guys are tackling on a regular basis.

Robert Zaruta  19:15

Well, you know, my This team has done an incredible credible job for a long time and, and I give them so much credit our opportunities really rests in how many manufacturers we can work with, and continue to work with not just one and then done right, we want to build those long standing relationships and we want to work with as many and we have manufacturers that are very, relatively small and dispersed over 10,000 square miles. And you know, when you try to build a relationship in a small town in a small company, it doesn’t just you know, happen with the turn of a switch, right? It takes it takes time to build that trust and so forth. So they do a phenomenal job of outreach, building those relationships. And going through that process that I just described. And I can tell you that right now with, with, with everything going on this past 18 months or so with a pandemic, you know, the challenges escalated for us just like they did for all businesses, having the opportunity to reach and connect and, and build those relationships became more challenging. But I can tell you that this staff, this group of professionals responded, they have skill sets that allows them to go in and do that work that I was describing, we happen to do some strategic planning that allowed us to be positioned nicely when this thing happened when the pandemic happened. You mentioned the Lisa, the two leases, but we have at least pistola, who is that just a professional when it comes to helping companies to attract, develop and retain their workforce. And she joined us three years ago, and that was certainly an advance of the pandemic. But her skill set aligns so well with helping companies right now, and in some very difficult times of being able to have that workforce. But then then we have the process improvement that we’ve been at for ages here to help companies be as efficient as possible, be able to do more with as much as they have right now. And in the late tight labor market, in order to serve your customers, you’ve got to be as efficient as possible. So we developed the lean together program with the help of this staff, and conducted the outreach, and over 50 companies have invested in that program and the lean together program over the past couple of three years. And I can tell you occurred. Some of the manufacturers have said it clearly, if it wasn’t for what they did three and two years ago, they would have had a more difficult time during the pandemic, because they weren’t, they would not have been able to be in a position to be able to pivot and make the changes that they needed to make during some very difficult times. So that’s the kind of work we do that feel good, that meaningful work. And the good news is, is that it’s there’s a lot of accountability. We’re a private public partnership, right. And we receive public funding from the state and federal government. But we also have our clients who are putting investment dollars in to their projects. So that’s that private piece. But all of it is measured by an independent firm hired by the Department of Commerce. So we have this independent firm that captures the impact that these projects have on these companies that we work with. And so the accountability, the visibility is there. And that should make everybody feel good about this type of a program. It makes it unique and special. And it’s why we’ve been at it for 30 years, year after year. This is

Curt Anderson  22:42

bad. It’s like a football game right now. Right, Molly? Molly’s with us watching. So this is just so inspiring. I want to share real quick, Bob, you had a program. what’s so cool about manufacturing is that do I have that crack program that like let’s just let’s it’s we’re a little bit past lunchtime here on the east coast. But you know, folks are in different time zones. Let’s let’s let that resonate for a minute. Sure. what’s so cool about manufacturing, please share what’s going on with that?

Robert Zaruta  23:10

Well, here’s here’s an example of a program developed by one of our seven centers, the one in Lehigh Valley MRC. And they developed this several years ago, four or five years ago, maybe even more actually. And they started in their region. And then it started to spread to the other ircs. And so the end BRC about four years ago made a decision to get into the to this program. And what it is, is an opportunity to create awareness of manufacturing in northwest Pennsylvania for our particular needs. Sure, and it’s seventh and eighth graders. So imagine seventh and eighth graders who get paired up with a local manufacturing company right in their backyard from a middle school. So you have a team of middle school students matched up to a manufacturer, they go out they can they learn how to conduct interviews, they video record a walk through the facility, they create an edit of the video of the company and what they learned. And then they compete with other middle schools in the region and then ultimately on a state level, about what’s so cool about manufacturing and the program just took off and and we had three and we before the pandemic we have three contests that ran with 30 schools matched up with 30 manufacturers and that was just our region now multiply that across the state. And it was a great way for young students to start to get to see an experience and maybe create some interest because that future talent pipeline and manufacturing is critical to our success as an industry sector

Curt Anderson  24:48

apps well kudos to you standing ovation What a great name I absolutely love it. You know and I know there’s a dream it do it. There’s all you know this program that you’re running, there’s all sorts I think everybody nationwide agrees we’re all like fighting relentlessly to China. We had Mike Womack from the New Jersey MEP on last week. Wonderful millennial who’s just fighting relentlessly, he came up with this wonderful article. I’m like, let’s get rid of the collars. It’s not blue collar, it’s not white collar. And he and he’s just fighting relentlessly, to basically share that same sentiment, manufacturing is cool. We want to change, we want to flip the script and change that perception of like, manufacturers dirty and machinery, and so on and so forth. So what a great program.

Robert Zaruta  25:32

So Curt, I let me just take this opportunity just to kind of parallel that to something now that’s happening in our region. Yeah. So we wanted to look to do something at the high school level. So the what’s so cool and the dream team and the marvels of manufacturing exploiting the marvels or programs that have been in existence, again, all focus in a career awareness, get kids excited about today’s manufacturing, which is totally different than right manufacturing of 15 years ago. So but but but we also wanted to do something at the high school level. So we innovated a program, where we, we went to a high school as a pilot, we have to have success, one at one school and then look to replicate it. So we went to McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, they had a McDowell manufacturing Academy, and they had some equipment, like a lot of schools that were teaching skills to high school students about manufacturing. But we took this concept of a model that would make a student run enterprise inside the school, a student run enterprise, that they would actually be making parts for local manufacturers as part of their supply chain. So think about that to get first hand experience, build relationships with local manufacturers and run a business, a sustainability in essence, so the manufacturers actually pay the school, the club to produce some parts and those dollars can be put back into other things in the program. So we had the program launched a year ago, during COVID. And I’ll tell you, 21 students participated in advanced manufacturing program there. This year. 51 students are in that program because of the excitement that was created in the halls and in the classrooms at McDowell High School. We took that over the past six months and introduced the model to three other schools those three visited mcdow on Manufacturing Day on the 30th on the eve of Manufacturing Day and month last week, last man they want to move forward with a similar student run model that we could help them launch in their schools and get more students involved Yeah,

Curt Anderson  27:51

standing ovation man it’s it’s you know, it’s baseball playoff week what a home run good.

Robert Zaruta  27:58

And good dad, the Secretary of Education from Pennsylvania make a special visit on Friday night McDowell High School rolled out the carpet and students conducted the tour and we’re just showcasing to the Secretary what their learning and experience has been and their their professional development at that age and he did an incredible job of presenting their facility and their capabilities and the you know, so I think there’s opportunities to take a pilot and grow it and we’re in that process now and who knows where it might end up it could end up more state and national focus because of that national network as well.

Curt Anderson  28:40

What you know what you left me speechless what an absolutely awesome program. Again, kudos to you kudos to the entire MEP network of folks at Lehigh who trumped you know came up with this vision, your team Molly, everybody on your team, Lisa, that implemented and executed and your look how you’re getting, you know, you’re bringing in young people and getting them fired up. You know, we preach a lot about women in manufacturing, getting young people involved in manufacturing, and you’re making manufacturing cool. This is so exciting. We have somebody dropped a comment Margo, hey Margo, Happy Monday. Manufacturing is fire and Bob is just mad Dude, you are in fire. Now. You have a couple programs. I know I want to be mindful of your time we want to wrap up here soon. Molly was sharing with me you have a wonderful program about uniquely talented folks that you’re rolling out with. Did you want to share anything about that?

Robert Zaruta  29:33

Well, sure. So this is an early stage, I’ll say that it will be our first But again, it’s a pilot. It’s it’s to to reach a population of very able to individuals right to be trained to be a CNC operator. Today’s equipment. Yep. And what I’m speaking of is the autistic population level one autistic individuals and the program has already already developed. This is not our program it was developed, it’s called uniquely able to Academy. We have had multiple meetings and conversations with its founder, Dr. Ivan Rosenberg. And we are often running, we’ve got a pilot underway in Crawford County. And we hope to do one in Erie and again, look to expand it, once we get our feet on the ground and get it understood and get it ironed out with some of the wrinkles and so forth. But the whole idea is to reach a population that can offer tremendous capability to manufacturers looking to have CNC operators, these individuals will go through a intense 14 week, it matches great with their skill set and their desires to work in the type of work that they excel at. And there’s proof that it works and these students are, are coming out. And I’m speaking of an age group of actually 18 to 25. So it’s, it’s a post secondary. And so it’s that population that can almost immediately Not quite, but almost immediately help manufacturers with with building that workforce that they need well into the future. And it’s so rewarding for all that participate,

Curt Anderson  31:12

having always more than what what an absolute inspiration. So this is just such a man, this is wonderful. And again, for anybody out there not familiar with MEP network, you’re just getting a little sliver. This is just a taste man. If you didn’t get chills during this conversation, man, I don’t know, you know, like, maybe they weren’t woke up what they haven’t woke up yet for Monday. But this is just such an inspiration. Again, this is just a sliver of what’s going on in a national footprint all across the country at the MEP network. So Bob, let’s what how about we wrap up on this skin? I want to I know you I think you have a two o’clock meeting, do you not? I think I do. Okay, so we’ll get wrapped up? How can folks, you know, again, manufacturer out there, don’t know the MEP network, wherever they are in the country? How do they read? How do they connect with you? What does that look like? How do they do so? And what does that look like?

Robert Zaruta  32:03

I’m sorry, I heard you referring to some of peers across the country. Are you talking about manufacturers?

Curt Anderson  32:08

Let’s say like a manufacturer out there anywhere in the country? You know, what’s what’s a starting point for them of that engagement? How do they connect and engage with me chosen? And then how, what does that look like? Like like, Man, this is? This sounds super exciting. I want to get involved. How do I get involved?

Robert Zaruta  32:22

Yeah, my suggestion would be if they went to the NIST MEP website, NIST NIS T, MEP manufacturing extension partnership, they’ll see a map, they can go to the region there and they can click it on and it can get connected right to the center in their region, that handle that works with manufacturers. So it’s that simple.

Curt Anderson  32:43

Awesome. Guys, please connect with Bob on LinkedIn, Bob, I can’t express my gratitude. Thank you for taking the time. I know how busy you are for sharing with me, sharing with our folks in the audience today. Thank you for everything you’re doing for manufacturers in your region, entrepreneurs, the jobs that you’re helping create in the impact that you’re driving for the great state of Pennsylvania. So hats off to you guys. Thank you for joining us today. Bob. I’m going to ask you to hang on one second. We’re going to close out the broadcast. guys go out there it’s Monday, go out there and crush it. It’s manufacturing month this whole month. And so and check out your local MEP, Bob. Thank you my friend.

Robert Zaruta  33:20

Thank you, Curt.