By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
The size and complexity of large employers creates a unique set of challenges when it comes to planning and the company’s yearlong outlook. We recently spoke with a few of the area’s largest employers to gain their perspective on what 2024 will bring. Oswego Health, Inc.
Oswego Health, Inc.
‘In 2024, our strategic priorities are growth and reinvestment’
“On behalf of our board of directors and our leadership team, I’m proud of Oswego Health for the work we did last year as we focused on the stabilization of our healthcare system. With a strong foundation built upon 143 years of dedicated care to the Oswego County and Central New York community, we are proud to be part of the revitalization we have seen in Oswego with great expectations on what is to come in the city of Fulton.
“In 2024, our strategic priorities are growth and reinvestment. As the largest private employer in Oswego County, we strive to be the employer of choice as we build partnerships to develop the caregivers of the future through our employee tuition assistance program. We are also reinvesting in our current dedicated workforce through our recognition events, dress-for-your-day initiative and a progressive compensation program. As we grow, inclusive collaboration will be critical in our community as we focus on improving access to care locally. We are also bringing several enhancements to our infrastructure and investing in additional technology to support service line growth.”
— Michael Backus, President and CEO, Oswego Health
EJ USA
‘Local projects, like reconstruction of I-81 and the proposed Micron facility, will utilize many of our products’
“EJ is the global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of access solutions for the world’s growing infrastructure. We work in collaboration with our customers to create solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.
“The EJ legacy dates back to 1883 and this year we celebrate our 140th anniversary. EJ continues to be 100% owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generations of the Malpass family. Many things have changed over the course of five generations, but one thing has not — our commitment to operating under the guidance of a clear set of values and holding ourselves to the highest standards. Our company is strong and well positioned to serve our markets through our state-of-the-art facilities. The core strength of our business is our dedicated employees employees who embrace our values, understand the importance of fostering relationships, and strive for excellence.
“Our order activity is strong, and we’ve been able to maintain full employment, while reinvesting in our facilities. This includes a new state-of-the-art robotic welding cell installed last year at our Syracuse fabrication facility. Our strategic investment in talented people and processes positions us to meet the demand for our products. The breadth of EJ product offering, from cast iron, fabricated, composite and water products, across many markets, gives EJ a significant advantage over our competitors.
“Local projects, like reconstruction of I-81 and the proposed Micron facility, will utilize many of our products. Recent Buy American clauses also help increase demand for our Made in USA product offerings.
“EJ is committed to developing innovative products, such as, the SELFLEVEL, STORMSURGE and EM3 (Explosion Mitigation) manhole frame and cover, SAFEHATCH and many other inventions, which assure EJ products are differentiated and valued by our customers.
“EJ has a bright future, and we are ready for the opportunities this new year will bring.”
— Tim McKernan, Facility manager
Constellation
‘Making sure the units are well maintained and operate close to 100% of the time’
“We’ll have announcements throughout the year companywide about new initiatives. With our nuclear plants, we’re focused on operational excellence and making sure the units are well maintained and operate close to 100% of the time.
“We contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to worthwhile and charitable organizations. We really value those community partnerships we have. We’re economic engines in places like Oswego. We employ a lot of people and have much larger numbers of people who come in during scheduled refueling outages when thousands more come in. Many come in from out of region and stay in hotels, eating at restaurants and use dry cleaning services — things like that. It means a lot more business for Oswego. Anecdotally, I know people who are contract workers during an outage who sometimes add vacation time to their trip to enjoy the area.”
— Mark Rodgers, Senior manager, communications, Constellation
Elemental Management Group
‘Upstate health care providers need everyone’s support’
“Healthcare is at a crossroads in New York state. Patient throughput across the continuum is hamstrung by a lack of labor, insufficient funding from Medicaid, overutilization of community directed services, unreasonable regulatory influences and unfunded mandates. It is important that all community members be involved in conversation with their local and regional representatives to assure our healthcare system and the continuum of patient care is supported into 2024. There have been 32 nursing home closures in recent years and 11 closures in the last two years alone. Upstate health care providers need everyone’s support. Community members must make themselves heard. Healthcare services are the heart of a stable community and economy along with education. When either of these two fundamental building blocks is injured, there is a long-term ripple effect throughout the community. We need to stay ahead of the ball and prevent further facility closures.”
— Joseph Murabito, President and managing member, Elemental Management Group, Oswego
Loretto Management Corporation
‘We continue to step up to meet the demands of the community’
“Innovation and efficiency are key for Loretto in 2024. We continue to step up to meet the demands of the community both for advanced dementia care as well as higher acuity short-term rehabilitation. We are introducing new memory care services and advancing the type of care we can provide in short-term rehab which is leading to caring for patients from outside Central New York as we assist our regional hospitals in decanting patients. We are investing in technology to ensure our staff can operate efficiently as we expand our offerings and our geographic reach. Loretto is providing levels of care like no other in our community and it’s pivotal to not only our growth but the support we provide to our regional healthcare networks.”
— Kim Townsend, President and CEO Loretto in Syracuse
Novelis
New equipment making plant more efficient
“This fall, Novelis completed a critical step in the expansion project at the Oswego plant.
“The motors in Oswego’s hot mill were replaced with a newer model that could double the mill’s horsepower. The new model will be more energy efficient with AC power (instead of the older DC power), new switch gears, transformers, and drives to supply power to the new motors.
“The massive project involved the removal of 604.5 tons of existing equipment and the delivery of 445.6 tons of new equipment, along with thousands of hours worked.
“The new motors positively impacted productivity and the next milestone in the project will be a new, upgraded coolant house that will be completed in 2024. This will allow improved quality, enhance the motors’ impact on productivity and enable Novelis to increase hot mill capacity by 124,000 metric tons at the plant.”
— Kristen Nelson, Plant manager, Novelis
