LaBarge Inc., a recognized leader in the high performance electronics manufacturing industry, plans to add 100 jobs to its Braddock Avenue plant following a year of record growth.
LaBarge Pittsburgh specializes in manufacturing precision electronics for superior quality circuit assemblies and electronic/electro-mechanical systems. “We do not design our own products,” explains Teresa Huber, vice president of operations. “We form partnerships with key customers and we become their manufacturing and support arm.”
The Pittsburgh operation handles medical, industrial and natural resources mining work, a growing segment of the company’s business. LaBarge is based in St. Louis and has seven operations throughout the U.S. Fifty percent of its business is defense and government contracts, Huber says.
With the addition of another 100 employees, the company will double its size. LaBarge has already hired 100 people in Pittsburgh over the past year, increasing its operation from 200 to 305 people. Most of the jobs are in technical manufacturing: electronics technicians, assemblers, soldering, mechanical assembly, and machinists as well as engineering and professional positions.
The company also expanded its space, adding 30,000 feet to the 140,000 square foot plant facility by moving into existing space that had been vacant. Annual company sales increased 19 percent to $59.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
“The medical segment in Pittsburgh is supporting the growth we’ve seen,” Huber adds. “From a job standpoint, adding the jobs has been a bit challenging. LaBarge is not well known here; it’s a best-kept secret. We are trying to get our name out there. We’re a great place to work with a great work environment.”
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Teresa Huber, LaBarge Inc.
Image courtesy of LaBarge, Inc.