 |
| Megatron |
Perhaps that's why the Lehigh Valley's economic development engine chose Mack Truck's Customer Center, located in Allentown, as the venue for their annual investors' meeting. Several hundred business and government leaders sat among a collection of Mack Trucks, including Megatron, as LVEDC's Mtman credited the company for attracting 12 companies, $238 million in investment and 3,749 jobs in 2011.
Mack trucks gleamed as Coca Cola's Tim Fischbach announced a $46 million expansion project at its 225,000 sq. ft. Upper Macungie plant, where the syrup for Coke and Diet Coke is manufactured. Powerade, Vitamin Water and Fuze will now be processed at the plant.
"LVEDC was our quarterback in this mission, our Eli Manning," claimed Fischbach, who credited the LV's economic development engine for successful negotiations with local officials and more importantly, for securing a $1.25 million infrastructure development grant from the state.
Mack Trucks glimmered as Coca Cola's Fischbach announced 26 employees in Upper Macungie, with an additional 24 people to be hired over the next 3-4 years.
According to Fischbach, the average salary of salaried new hires is $69,000 per year, plus benefits.
After the speeches, as business leaders networked and grabbed their smart phones, Mack Trucks stood at attention, hoping to be noticed.
 |
| Mack's oldest vehicle, a 1905 bus |
"It still runs," a proud Mack employee said. "In fact, they all do."
With businesses like Mack and Coca Cola, so does the Lehigh Valley.
Below is a slideshow of all the Mack trucks on display, from the 1905 bus to Megatron.
Updated 9:58, to make a clarification concerning salary as per Bob Wendt.
So you make about 33 dollars an hour working for Coke?
ReplyDelete+ benifits
Must be union goons
I'm jealous
so I call them union goons
The actual quote from the Coke exec was that salaried professional staff was making $69k.
ReplyDeleteput a new nail in a can of coke and leave it there overnight. You won't like what you see when you remove it. now imagine what's inside of your body.
ReplyDeletedidn't realize that Mack was still here. I thought they moved their HQ and everything to South Carolins
ReplyDelete"LVEDC was our quarterback in this mission, our Eli Manning," claimed Fischbach..."
ReplyDeleteNerd.
"Nerd."
ReplyDeleteYup... nerds are the bosses. All that time you put into giving them grief in high school turned them into the leaders of industry you now despise. Get used to it.
I'm still wondering why a $46 million expansion needed a $1.25 million state grant.
ReplyDeleteSeems there might have been a few projects out there with greater need?
"The actual quote from the Coke exec was that salaried professional staff was making $69k."
ReplyDeleteBob, I actually have a videotape of the remarks. He said what I reported. But I appreciate the clarification and will amend my blog to reflect your observation.
Eli Manning? Doesn't this clown know this is Eagles country?
ReplyDeleteYes, and he immediately apologized to all Eagles fans. The dude is smooth.
ReplyDeleteThe only part of Mack not here is the hierarchy and bulldog statue. Every Mack Truck is built here.
ReplyDeleteIronically, PennDOT currently buys International/Navistar trucks, made in Mexico, and with non-conforming emissions that were qualified using overall fleet credits. PA Turnpike still buys Macks. New York State DOT buys Macks. City of New York buys all Macks for every purpose.
I'd like to know why the clear plastic "tumbler" continues to get major play at these events. It's no more classier than I am. We're both plastic and hollow. Just like nearly everybody there.
ReplyDeleteYours,
Red Solo Cup
Mr. Bob Wendt
ReplyDeleteI posted as anon 2:35
Thank you for clarifying the salary comment. I hope you realize it was meant to be toungue-in-cheek. This, due to the history of negative commentary of unions by the blogs contributors and host.
My denigration of unions is aimed at public sector unions, who have enslaved the rest of us to pay exorbitant benefits and pensions. I have no problem with private sector unions, many of whom I admire.
ReplyDeletePeople who choose to work serving the public aren't able to collectively bargain? If a public employee cannot get a fair wage and benefit package why on earth would they choose to work there?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it always Coke, coke, coke? Never a mention of Pepsi in the Lehigh Valley?
ReplyDeleteMaybe they should give the NIZ arena to pepsi....or pepto (bismol)....
People who work to serve the public already get to elect their managers. They should not be permitted the same bargaining rights as private employee unions. Two completely different animals. Even FDR said giving collective bargaining to civil employees was a very bad idea. And who would work there? Thousands in the federal government who aren't permitted to collectively bargain.
ReplyDeleteI always preferred coke, not Pepsi.
ReplyDeleteall unions are blood suckers and you pay for them every day
ReplyDeleteSo corporations aren't bloodsuckers? I think the last few years have proven otherwise. If they could they would allow a worker to work 5 days for pay and come in on Saturday for the company for no pay. That is how it was done before unions. Break your f'n neck on the job, they might send your family a ham and a Bible if they weren't too busy being hypocrites. The worker who makes the corporation successful wants to share in that success. A corporation that realizes who helps elevate it to success and is willing to pay fair wages and benefits succeeds. I know it is hard for some peabrained people to understand that concept. Especially since the deprograming of America has reached so many of the petrified brains through cable and talk radio.
ReplyDeleteBecause some unions and some corporations are bloodsuckers, we tend to generalize.
ReplyDeleteWe're all subject to pay for private sector unions. Honestly Bernie what taxes do you pay for your penthouse in Nazareth?
ReplyDeleteu have your opinion - i have mine
ReplyDeleteALL