Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 1 of 13
1. Company Information:
County
# of Interviews
Centre
15
Lycoming
15
Clinton
30
Total
60
Industry
Number
% Percentage of
Total
Healthcare
7
12%
Hardwoods
13
22%
Manufacturing
40
66%
Total
60
100%
2. Contact Information:
3. General Information:
4. Year Established:
Year
Established
# of Companies
1800's
5
1900-1949
7
1950-1999
47
2000-present
1
5. # employees: 9,315 full-time 1,471 part-time
Averages out to approximately 155 full time employees and 24 part time employees per company
interviewed.
Industry
Cluster
Full
Time
Part
Time
Healthcare
3,564
1,212
Hardwoods
436
16
Manufacturing
5,315
243
Total
9,315
1,471
6.
Major SIC or NAICS code: See attachment B for SIC/NAICS listing.
7. Does your company Export? Yes or No
Import? Yes or No
Export Yes 27 out of 60 (45%)
Export No 33 out of 60 (55%)
Import Yes 15 out of 60 (25%)
Import No 45 out of 60 (75%)
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 2 of 13
8. Minority Owned: Yes or No
Woman Owned: Yes or No
Minority Owned Yes 2 out of 60 (3%)
Minority Owned No 58 out of 60 (97%)
Woman Owned Yes 3 out of 60 (5%)
Woman Owned No 57 out of 60 (95%)
9. Government Sales: Prime? Yes or No
Subcontract? Yes or No
Gov't Sales Prime Yes 10 out of 60 (17%)
Gov't Sales Prime No 50 out of 60 (83%)
Subcontract Yes 18 out of 60 (30%)
Subcontract No 42 out of 60 (70%)
10. What part of your firm(s) is/are located in the region?
Number
Percentage
Manufacturing
49
82%
Headquarters
42
70%
Research & Development
20
33%
Other
5
8%
Industry Cluster Information:
11. Industry clusters are comprised of companies that co-locate in close proximity because of shared
linkages such as similar technologies, related products, shared customers, buyer-supplier
relationships or a common labor pool, that present the opportunity for competitive advantage. You
have been selected to participate in this interview because a partnership of regional workforce,
economic development, and educational entities have classified your industry as part of four (4)
major industry clusters in Central Pennsylvania. Given this definition:
a.) Were you aware that your industry might be classified as a cluster?
Pre-Survey
Industry Cluster
Question
Number
% Percentage
of Total
No
42
70%
Yes
17
28%
Maybe
1
2%
Total
60
100%
Post-Survey
Industry Cluster
Question
Number
% Percentage
of Total
Yes
34
57%
No
20
33%
Maybe
4
7%
Not sure
2
3%
Total
60
100%
Social Capital:
12. Name up to three individuals or organizations with which you have COLLABORATED in the recent
past (for example, to bid on contracts together, attend trade show together, help fill an order, share
equipment or services, or participate in an industry education partnership), and the type of
cooperation. Interviewer Note: Collaboration is defined as being beneficial to both parties.
*See Summary of Answers by Cluster.
13. Name up to three individuals or organizations (this may be, for example, a technical school,
competitor, customer, supplier, or consultant) that have helped you recently in some way. (such as
gave advice, shared information, or loaned equipment) and form of help (advice, production, loan).
Interviewer Note: Please have them indicate whether it was fee based or free.
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 3 of 13
*See Summary of Answers by Cluster.
14. Name up to three organizations and their locations, which YOU have recently helped out in some
way (such as gave advice, shared information, or loaned equipment) and form of help (advice,
production, loan).
*See Summary of Answers by Cluster.
15. Who do you consider to be leaders or innovators in your industry? (Probe for at least 3.)
*See Summary of Answers by Cluster.
16. What are the most important business groups, affiliations, and/or professional organizations that
your company belongs to? Why are they important to you? (Probe for at least 3)
*See Summary of Answers by Cluster.
17. What are the most important advisory committees and/or boards that your company is involved in?
*See Summary of Answers by Cluster.
18. Do you think it would be important for your company to participate in more local/regional
networking opportunities? If yes, please describe.
Regional
Networking
Opportunities
Number
% Percentage
of Total
No
26
43
Yes
24
40
Maybe
4
7
Not sure
3
5
No comment
3
5
Total
60
100%
Marketing & Sales:
19. What are your annual sales?
Annual Sales
Number
% Percentage of
Total
Confidential
9
15%
< $250,000
1
2%
$250,000-$500,000
3
5%
$500,001-$999,999
7
11%
$1 MM-$5 MM
15
25%
$5.1 MM- $10 MM
6
10%
$10.1 MM-$15 MM
1
2%
> $15 MM
18
30%
Total
60
100%
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 4 of 13
20. Do you expect your sales to decline, grow, or remain status quo over the next 12 months?
Sales (over 12 months)
Number
% Percentage of
Total
Growth
41
68%
Status Quo/No Growth
18
30%
Decline
1
2%
Total
60
100%
21. Do you have an Internet connection? If yes, which option best describes your connection?
Internet Connection Number
% Percentage
of Total
High Speed (DSL,
Cable, Wireless)
34
57%
T1 or higher
19
32%
Dial Up
5
8%
None
2
3%
Total
60
100%
22. What is your current level of Internet connectivity?
Number
% Percentage of
Total
Adequate/appropriate
49
82%
Need more
9
15%
N/A
2
3%
Total
60
100%
*One company (Avery Polymers) that indicated they had T1 or higher, feels they need more broadband.
**Out of 5 companies with dial-up, 3 companies need more and 2 think it's adequate
***Among those with high-speed access, only 5 felt they needed more.
23. Do you know of any other connection options that may be available in your area with comparable or
better service than your present provider?
Number
Percentage
No
44
73%
15
25%
No Comment
1
2%
24. Did the availability of broadband factor into your company's decision to locate/expand into this area
or will it be a factor when you decide to expand in the future?
Number
Percentage
No
43
72%
N/A
12
20%
5
8%
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 5 of 13
25. Do you conduct any business online? If yes, which form of e-commerce do you use?
Online Business
Number
%
Percentage
Electronic correspondence (Email)
51
85%
Website/online directories
41
68%
Online transactional based selling
17
28%
Online transactional based purchasing
13
22%
Other
7
12%
None
6
10%
Online banking
5
8%
N/A
3
5%
26. What other channels do you use to market your product/services?
Other Marketing
Channels
Number
%
Percentage
Trade shows
31
52%
Direct sales
30
50%
Trade magazines
22
37%
Other
21
35%
Direct mail
15
25%
Radio
11
18%
Television
6
10%
27. Specifically, who are the most important customers of this firm's products/services?
Customers
Products
Location
(City, State)
(Ranked 1-5)
Why do they buy from
you? (Ranked 1-5)
various
various
#1 Pennsylvania (48 responses)
#1 Quality (67 responses)
#2 New York (9 responses)
#2 Price (55 responses)
#3 Maryland (5 responses)
#3 Service (18 responses)
#4 Ohio (tie) (4 responses)
#4 Location (14 responses)
#4 Massachusetts (tie) (4
responses)
#5 Relationship with
customer (8 responses)
**Most of the companies surveyed had multiple answers for this question. The reason the customer buys from them
was counted to determine the ranking. (example: "quality" was mentioned a total of 67 times for the reason their
customers buy from them.)
28. How does local demand for your products/services within Central Pennsylvania compare to the
demand for your products/services overall?
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 6 of 13
Local Demand
Number
% Percentage
of Total
About the same
18
30%
N/A
17
28%
Growing slower
15
25%
Growing more rapidly
10
17%
Total
60
100%
29. Specifically, who are the most important suppliers for your firm?
Suppliers
Suppliers
Products
Location
(City, State)
Why do you buy from
them?
various
Various (steel ranked
high)
1- PA (54 responses)
1- Price/cost (138 responses)
2- NY (12 responses)
2- Quality (50 responses)
3- OH (7 responses)
3- Service (22 responses)
4- TX (5 responses)
4- Product (19 responses)
5- VA (4 responses)
5- Availability (14
responses)
**Most of the companies surveyed had multiple answers for this question. The reason they buy from a supplier was
counted to determine the ranking. (example: "price/cost" was mentioned a total of 138 times for the reason they buy
from a supplier.)
30. Is your firm purchasing significant services, products, and/or raw materials from outside of Central
Pennsylvania? If so, what prevents them from being purchased in Central Pennsylvania?
Purchasing Outside PA?
Number
Lack of suppliers
41
N/A
16
Other
5
High cost
3
Established relationships with
current suppliers
2
Low quality
1
*Of the 5 companies that answered "Other", 2 companies indicated that they thought their company was
"so specialized" and a "niche market."
**8 companies selected more than 1 answer to this question.
*** 16 companies answered N/A to this question. Those companies were counted as not purchasing
significant services, products, raw materials from outside of Central PA.
31. Do you think this region could benefit from the development of a regional brand or identity?
Number
% Percentage
of Total
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 7 of 13
37
62%
No
10
17%
Not Sure
8
13%
Maybe
4
6%
No Comment
1
2%
Total
60
100%
Comments:
"Susquehanna Valley? Already have one."
"Yes. Only as it relates to Penn State University."
"This region has a local brand "Happy Valley" and Penn State. It would be hard to surpass either."
"Yes, promoting PA Hardwoods."
32. Currently, the 10-County region is referred to by some groups as Pennsylvania's Heartland. Please
indicate how accurate a description of the10-County region you think this is and, secondly, how
enticing this description is for those who hear it.
"Pennsylvania's Heartland"
Accuracy
Number % Percentage
of Total
Very accurate
5
8%
Somewhat accurate
35
59%
Not very accurate
12
20%
Not at all accurate
6
10%
No opinion
2
3%
Total
60
100%
"Pennsylvania's Heartland"
Enticement
Number % Percentage
of Total
Very enticing description
1
2%
Somewhat enticing description
32
54%
Not very enticing description
17
28%
Not at all enticing description
8
13%
No opinion
2
3%
Total
60
100%
33. If properly and fully developed, could you see referring to this region as Pennsylvania's Heartland in
your company's marketing efforts?
"Pennsylvania's Heartland"
Usage
Number % Percentage
of Total
Yes
18
30%
Maybe
12
20%
No
30
50
Total
60
100%
Some of the comments from those surveyed include:
"Yes. His label says produced in PA's Heartland."
"Thinks of Harrisburg/Lancaster. Likes "Big Woods Country" monikor"
"No, think of the Midwest"
"Yes, probably if you capture an image"
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 8 of 13
"no, name isn't high tech enough, think of amish rather than technology"
"no. reminds me of Iowa and cornfields. Boring. Doesn't reflect high tech image"
"not really, could be convinced if showed results"
"if was a description of the Heartland, why is the heartland good? Heartland in middle of nowhere?"
"no. b/c not technical enough. Thinks agricultural."
Business Climate:
34. Why did you locate to this area? Please rank up to your top 3 options. 1 being the most important 3 being less
important.
Why did you locate to this area?
Ranked #1
Ranked #2
Ranked #3
1- Family Owned (13x)
1- None (12x)
1- None (18x)
2- Location (10x)
2- Location (tie) (11x)
2- Proximity to markets (8x)
3- Workforce/ work ethic
(8x)
2- Workforce/work ethic (tie)
(11x)
3- Cost of doing business (tie)
(6x)
4- No opinion (7x)
3-No opinion (6x)
3- No opinion (tie) (6x)
**example: (13x) indicates how many times that option was selected under that ranking.
35. What are the top issues facing your business at this location? Please rank up to your top 3 options. 1 being the
most difficult 3 being less difficult.
Top Issues Facing Your Business
Ranked #1
Ranked #2
Ranked #3
1- Competition (11x)
1- Cost of Health Care (20x)
1- Economy (tie) (9x)
2- Workforce (8x)
2- Economy (tie) (7x)
1- None (tie) (9x)
3- Cost of Health Care (7x)
2- None (tie) (7x)
2- Taxes (6x)
4- Globalization (5x)
3- Workforce (5x)
3- Competition (5x)
**example: (11x) indicates how many times that option was selected under that ranking.
36. Who are your main competitors? Where are they located?
Competitors
Competitors
Location (City, State)
various
1- PA (62x)
2- Germany (6x)
3- CA (tie) (4x)
3- NJ (tie) (4x)
3- NY (tie) (4x)
Workforce:
37. Do you expect your employment to decline, grow, or remain status quo over the next 12 months?
Employment
Growth
Number
% Percentage
of Total
Decline
2
3%
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 9 of 13
Growth
28
47%
Status Quo
30
50%
Total
60
100%
Employment decline total = 125
Employment growth total = 300
38. Which job categories do you expect to fill in the next 12 months?
Top 5 job categories expected to be filled in the
next 12 months:
#1 Production (22 votes)
#2 None (17 votes)
#3 Management (12 votes)
#4 Sales (tie) (8 votes)
#5 Technicians (tie) (8 votes)
39. Which job categories do you find the most difficult to fill or retain? Please indicate (F) for fill and (R) for retain.
Please rank up to your top 3 options. 1 being the most difficult 3 being less difficult.
Job categories most difficult to fill or retain:
Ranked #1
Ranked #2
Ranked #3
1-None (16x)
1-None (34x)
1-None (38x)
2-Production (12x)
2-Sales (5-way tie) (3x)
2-Production (3x)
3-Healthcare (6x)
2-Engineers (5-way tie) (3x)
3-Management (2x)
4-Management (5x)
2-Administrative (5-way tie) (3x)
2-Information Technologies
(5-way tie) (3x)
2-Technicians (5-way tie) (3x)
**example: (16x) indicates how many times that option was selected under that ranking.
40. What job categories are crucial to the success of your firm?
Job Categories Crucial to the Success of you Firm
Ranked #1
Ranked #2
Ranked #3
1- Management (17x)
1- Management (13x)
1- None (13x)
2- Production (13x)
2- Production (12x)
2- Management (7x)
3- Sales (7x)
3- None (tie) (6x)
3- Production (6x)
4- Healthcare (6x)
3- Sales (tie) (6x)
4- Engineering (tie) (5x)
4- Information Technology (tie) (5x)
**example: (17x) indicates how many times that option was selected under that ranking.
41. Which skills are most lacking in this region?
Skills Most Lacking in the Region
Ranked #1
Ranked #2
Ranked #3
1-None (23x)
1- None (30x)
1-None (33x)
2- Writing (tie) (5x)
2- Programming (tie) (3x)
2- Troubleshooting (tie) (3x)
2-Critical Thinking (tie) (5x)
2- Decision Making (tie) (3x)
2- Decision Making (tie) (3x)
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 10 of 13
3- Science (3x)
2-Problem Solving (tie) (3x)
**example: (23x) indicates how many times that option was selected under that ranking.
42. What are the educational requirements for the majority of entry-level workers within your facility? (Multiple
answers are acceptable)
Educational Requirements for Entry Level Workers
#1 High School Education or Equivalent (34 votes)
#2 Post high school (technical school, etc.) (8 votes)
#3 Experience in the field (7 votes)
#4 Post high school (college) (tie) (5 votes)
#4 Previous work experience in a related field (tie) (5 votes)
43. Name up to three organizations you have used (or your employees have used) for education or training in the
past year (e.g. basic skills, IT, management, or vendor) and type of training. Are local educational and
training institutions fulfilling your firm's workforce development needs? What are their strengths? What are
their shortcomings?
Educational and Training Institutions
Name of Institution (ranking)
Type of Training
Strength (ranking)
Shortcoming
1. Pennsylvania College of Tech
(23x)
Various (computers rank
High) (15x)
1- Courses/Programs/
Classes (17x)
Various (none or n/a ranks
High) (64x)
2. Penn State University
(tied) (7x)
2. In House (tied) (7x)
2. West Branch (tied) (7x)
2- Instructors (14x)
3.None (tied) (6x)
3. South Hills (tied) (6x)
3- Local/close proximity
(11x)
**example: (23x) indicates how many times that option was answered under that category.
Economic Development Resources:
44. Please indicate the regional economic development service providers you are aware of and used in
the region.
Technology:
Technology Resources
Aware and
used (%)
Aware and not
used (%)
Not aware
(%)
Ben Franklin
Technology Partners
22%
31%
47%
PennTAP
7%
33%
90%
Industrial Modernization
Center
22%
31%
47%
Other
0%
0%
0%
Financing:
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 11 of 13
Financing Resources
Aware and
used (%)
Aware and
not used
(%)
Not aware
(%)
Industrial Development
Corporations (IDC)
33%
50%
17%
Chamber of Commerce
38%
52%
10%
Ben Franklin Technology
Partners
11%
37%
52%
Clinton County Revolving Loan
Fund (RLF)
22%
30%
48%
SEDA-Council of Governments
38%
48%
13%
Lock Haven Enterprise Zone
3%
25%
72%
Williamsport Enterprise Zone
2%
15%
83%
Other
0%
0%
0%
Marketing: (includes exporting and procurement activities)
Marketing Resources
Aware and
used (%)
Aware and
not used
(%)
Not aware
(%)
Chamber of Commerce
22%
55%
23%
Small Business Development
Center
8%
57%
35%
SEDA-Council of Governments
23%
60%
17%
Other
0%
0%
0%
Manufacturing:
Manufacturing Resources
Aware and
used (%)
Aware and
not used
(%)
Not aware
(%)
Industrial Modernization Center
20%
37%
42%
West Branch Manufacturers
Association
31%
27%
42%
Small Business Development
Center
5%
54%
41%
PennTAP
7%
34%
59%
Other
0%
0%
0%
Workforce:
Workforce Resources
Aware and
used (%)
Aware and
not used
(%)
Not aware
(%)
Central Pennsylvania Workforce
Development Corporation
8%
20%
72%
Career Link
52%
34%
14%
Pennsylvania College of
Technology
47%
41%
12%
Other
0%
0%
0%
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 12 of 13
Business Development:
Business Development
Resources
Aware and
used (%)
Aware and
not used
(%)
Not aware
(%)
Small Business Development
Centers
20%
47%
33%
SEDA-Council of Governments
22%
60%
18%
Ben Franklin Technology
Partners
12%
40%
48%
Industrial Modernization Center
15%
42%
43%
Industrial Development
Corporation
17%
57%
26%
Chamber of Commerce
25%
62%
13%
City of Lock Haven Enterprise
Zone
0%
35%
65%
City of Williamsport Enterprise
Zone
0%
15%
85%
Other
0%
0%
0%
Industry Cluster Interview Questions
Summary of Interview Responses
Page 13 of 13
45. Having completed this survey, would you say that your company is part of an industry cluster?
Pre-Survey
Industry Cluster
Question
Number
% Percentage
of Total
No
42
70%
Yes
17
28%
Maybe
1
2%
Total
60
100%
Post-Survey
Industry Cluster
Question
Number
% Percentage
of Total
Yes
34
57%
No
20
33%
Maybe
4
7%
Not sure
2
3%
Total
60
100%
46. Whether or not your company is an industry cluster, do you perceive being part of an industry
cluster as beneficial to your company?
Industry Cluster
Perception
Number
% Percentage
of Total
No
13
22%
Yes
37
62%
Maybe
4
6%
Not sure
6
10%
Total
60
100%
47. Would you be willing to provide more detailed information on how your company functions as part
of a regional industry cluster?
Provide More
Info?
Number
% Percentage
of Total
Yes
37
62%
No
17
28%
Maybe
6
10%
Total
60
100%