Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Tours Berks County Tubing Manufacturing Plant

READING, Pa., March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today toured Summit Steel & Manufacturing, Inc., in Reading, Berks County, praising it as a prime example of growing small businesses in Pennsylvania.

"We need to look to companies like Summit; places that are building industries, that have been the underpinning of our economy," Corbett said. "We need to keep moving into the future.''

Corbett, along with Gary L. Romig Jr., company president, toured the facility, including its machine shop which specializes in the manufacture of carbon bar and tubular products, stainless bar and wire rod components, precision machine and laser parts, powder coating and fabricated kits and assemblies.

Making reference to his recently proposed budget, Corbett added, "We need to hold the line on taxes and on spending, so we're not undercutting businesses that create jobs and wealth – businesses like Summit.

"You can't get to the future if you're broke. That's the task ahead of all of us. That's why we need this budget. It's about jobs and jobs are where the real wealth of a nation originates.''

Romig, a Berks County native, began working in the sales department at a local steel company after graduating from college with a degree in finance. He became a manufacturer's representative for several different metal-related companies and eventually, in 1992, Summit Steel & Manufacturing was founded.

With an initial manufacturing order from Harley Davidson motorcycles, Summit has demonstrated consistent and steady growth, expanding its facility five years ago with the support of community development funds. The company, which employs about 50 people, is in the process of installing energy efficient and environmental improvements.

For more information, visit www.pa.gov.

Media contact:  Kelli Roberts, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor