Success Story: Homer City Automation Targets International Markets

On April 2, 2008 Homer City Automation took over the former FMC Parts Handling Business located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania provides material handling automation solutions. The Syntron® automation equipment manufactured in Homer City, PA consists of parts handling equipment, vibratory parts feeders, rotary parts feeders, storage, elevating and loading equipment. The company also produces linear parts feeders, and control systems for material handling applications.

Mrs. Stephanie DiLeo, President of Homer City Automation understands the importance of running a business in a rural area where job opportunities are limited in even the best of times. The skilled craftsmen at Homer City Automation have considerable experience in automation solutions and manufacturing parts handling equipment to meet customer requirements for use in a variety of manufacturing applications including food products, automotive products, pharmaceutical applications, metal parts fabrication and stamping applications to name a few. The company products are also used directly in machinery production, packaging applications and processing related equipment.

Mrs. DiLeo is interested in not only sustaining jobs; but, in learning about market opportunities on both a domestic and international basis. Homer City Automation is taking part in a specialized “International Plan to Market” program. The specialized program is being offered through the partnership of the U.S. Commercial Service in Pittsburgh and the SBDC’s Center for Global Competitiveness.

Homer City Automation has received market research for 32 distinct market sectors to identify best potential market opportunities for the company by continent, country, and market sector. Two company employees have attended the Export Basics, An Introduction to Exporting seminar.

The company will receive additional research work to determine market competition in the best potential target markets. Plans include participation in two additional educational programs, “Doing Business in Selected Markets” and “Export Essentials” to garner the information required to do business globally.

The “International Plan to Market” program will assist the company in selection of the target countries so they can then use the U.S. Commercial Service “Gold Key” service in combination with Pennsylvania’s Office of International Business services to set one-on-one meetings in the selected countries for the purpose of establishing business partnerships in line with their company’s strategic plan.

The goal of the program is implementation of the company’s strategic plan based upon the market research and international trade training provided over the next several years. The long term outcomes should result in establishing a presence in new markets, representation and/or distribution partnerships, increases in export sales, and sustainability or growth of jobs at the company as a result of international trade.