Young Industries celebrates big milestone

Young Industries is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and could not be more proud to call the Muncy area home. A company-wide celebration was recently held at Basil Wood Fired Kitchen and Lounge in Muncy.

The family owned manufacturing company was founded in 1947 by Henry T. Young in Pennsdale. The company moved to its current Muncy location in 1960 and is currently owned by second-generation owner John M. Young.

Young Industries produces bulk material handling equipment and serves over 9,600 customers in 35 countries. The company holds about 70 different patents on how to handle dry bulk materials, including the moving, mixing conveying, etc. of everything from plastics to chemicals to dog food.

All equipment is custom engineered to order for companies around the world.

“These places have their production process internally to make their product, so we build custom machinery that helps them achieve those goals,” said J. Tyler Thompson, vice president of operations.

Young Industries currently employs about 65 people and has continued to grow over the years with average employee tenure over 20 years. Henry T. Young believed that the most valuable asset to any company is the employees.

“We believe our purpose for existing in central Pennsylvania is basically to exist for our employees and community,” said Thompson.

When the COVID pandemic hit, Young Industries was in the same boat as everyone else. However the factory was only closed down one day as they soon received critical support and supply chain letters confirming they met the definition of an essential business. They struggled with getting personal protection equipment in the early days, as well as had to figure out social distancing. The sales, engineering, and administrative staff all worked remotely for some time. Throughout the pandemic, they did not have any employees leave. Everyone was happy to stay and work.

Thompson says that the business to business manufacturing industry as a whole is still going strong right now even in the face of the current economic downturn. He notes that there are many layers to get to the point where manufacturers stop buying equipment they need to make things.

Young Industries believes the key to not only getting a business to 75 years but to continue to grow and thrive is to be community-oriented.

Several members of senior management at the company serve on local boards and work with local non-profits. They want to serve the organizations that are important to their employees.

“The secret to staying here, staying alive, and staying healthy is to have leaders within the company that are invested in both the community and the organizations,” said Thompson.

Thompson says that although Young Industries is a manufacturer of high value equipment for major companies throughout the world, they are a local fabrication shop and they are always looking to help or take on projects for local businesses and community projects as well.

“We have employees that are welders and fabricators and we can help source, because we have been doing it forever, raw materials to help make something” said Thompson.

After 75 years strong, Young Industries is committed to staying in the area. The company is currently planning a major remodel for spring 2023 and is using local and regional services to complete that project.

“We are investing in staying here,” said Thompson.