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Recognizing October 2019 as Manufacturing Month, and further honoring Stockwell Elastomerics for their 100 years of dedication to the Manufacturing Industry in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Careers in manufacturing are characterized by above average wages and rewarding work with a well-defined career path. There are over 20,000 manufacturing jobs in the City of Philadelphia, yet area manufacturing companies regularly have difficulty filling open positions; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to the ongoing work of the Mayor's Manufacturing Task Force, manufacturers, government and nonprofits have started to address the skilled-labor shortage they face, through outreach, education and program development; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's manufacturing companies add to the vitality and prosperity of our community by providing above average wages and creating family sustainability. Manufacturing makes a significant contribution to the local, state and national economy; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia and the region helps to support an estimated 17.2 million jobs in the United States-about one in six private-sector jobs. Nearly 12 million Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are employed directly in manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, Since 2012, the first Friday in October has been recognized as National Manufacturing Day and has been previously recognized by this body. To celebrate Manufacturing Day, groups locally, regionally, and nationally will sponsor projects and programs designed to create greater awareness and consciousness of the manufacturing sector; and
WHEREAS, Last year the City, led by the Office of Industry and Manufacturing, with external partners including the School District of Philadelphia, Delaware Valley City of Philadelphia Industrial Resource Center, Philadelphia Works, Weber Display and Packaging, NextFab, Rhoads Industries, First Quality Retail Services, expanded the celebration to span the month of October; and
WHEREAS, This year events around the City will spotlight local manufacturing businesses by engaging with students to bring them directly to these manufacturers to learn firsthand about the work that is being done throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, Manufacturing Month aims to communicate the opportunities in the sector and spotlight the range of products made in the City of Philadelphia for fields including aerospace, food and beverage, healthcare, packaging, and technology; and
WHEREAS, Stockwell Elastomerics began operations 100 years ago in 1919 with Frederick E. Stockwell at its helm and remains a fourth generation, privately held business in Philadelphia. Beginning as a distributor of belting, hosing, sheet rubber packing, and wholesale rubber products the company has adapted to market changes and incorporated new products and capabilities to run a successful business in an ever-changing market; and
WHEREAS, In 1948, Elbridge F. Stockwell became President and the 1950’s began an expansion period for the company as they were early adopters of silicone rubber products made into sheets for high performance gaskets. Those products would aid the company in breaking into a multitude of industries such as early aerospace, aircraft, color television, and business machines during the 1950s and 1960s; and
WHEREAS, In 1968, Elbridge F. Stockwell, Jr. became President and in 1980, William B. Stockwell became President. Stockwell Elastomerics would continue to build their production capabilities and technical resources which would help their customers in the telecom, medical, analytical instrumentation, scanning and data acquisition industries to improve the performance of their products; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, the company was challenged by the recession within the technology sector and were pushed to move business to Asia. Stockwell Elastomerics would go against the odds and remain in Philadelphia which would cost them some business from 2001 to 2003. Instead of being adversely effected, the company would develop rapid response prototyping and initial production capabilities to service the mechanical engineering teams of the technology companies whose design teams remained in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Throughout their hundred years the company would adopt new technologies and products, but made Northeast Philadelphia their permanent home in March 1981 at their facility at 4749 Tolbut Street. Stockwell Elastomerics has built their business on integrity and valued relationships with their customers, suppliers, and the Philadelphia regional community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize the month of October, 2019 as Manufacturing Month in Philadelphia.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to William Stockwell of Stockwell Elastomerics in the City of Philadelphia as further evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body for their 100 years of dedication to the Manufacturing Industry in the City of Philadelphia.
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