Despite the national and state economic slowdown, one of the largest private employers in the Northeast Kingdom remains strong, said Steve Patterson, executive director of the Northeast Vermont Economic Development Association.
NSA Industries, LLC of Lyndonville is one of the fastest growing manufacturing industries in the region; more than 40 new employees were hired in the last 12 months, pushing the total workforce to over 300 employees.
The company is still looking for 30 to 35 more new employees, Patterson said today, outlining the fast growth of the metal fabricator located in the Lyndonville - St. Johnsbury Industrial Park.
Patterson also noted NVDA talked with Vermont Aerospace, also located in the Park and said the defense contractor reports that it is doing well.
Aerospace is also looking to hire, Patterson said.
This should help offset some of the recent job losses in the St. Johnsbury Region, he added.
NSA, which was founded more than 26 years ago, was acquired in August 2007, by Worth Mountain of Middlebury, Vt.
NSA Industries has a diverse range of capabilities, including sheet metal fabrication, welding, tube forming, and precision machining. It is now the region's second largest private employer with more than 300 employees.
The company, however, has a difficult time recruiting trained machinists, CNC operators, programmers and the like, said Chan Morgan.
Morgan said NSA would work with NVDA and other groups to establish strong training programs for his company, as well as other businesses in the area.