BUSINESS CONDITIONS IMPROVE - CUSTOMERS APPRECIATE OUR BRAND AND STYLE
(November 2009) I was concerned that when there was a recovery to the economic recession of 2008-2009, that the market would revert to the bottom line 'point and click' mentality.
As I write this entry, our employees have returned to a full 40 hour week for almost 10 weeks and we are presently allowing overtime on a limited basis. We have shipped quantities of Baggage Scales to several airports, some of these benefitting from stimulus dollars, but most of them expanding anticipating a larger recovery. October was the best month of 2009 by far and the surge is for all products in all areas of the shop, accross the board. The growing backlog is a source of stress, but this time it's good stress as we ramp up to a new business level.
Point: There seems to be a solid renewed appreciation for the Pennsylvania Scale brand, our commitment to 'Made in USA' quality, and our responsive style of customer service. We are focused on doing things a unique way and our brand is well differentiated for those who appreciate our way of life:
15-20 year service life vs. throwaway low end competitive products
Made in USA
Full interchangeability of our PLUS+ series service board which retrofits existing pre-2004 deisgns (who does that?)
Consistent, technician-friendly designs including cal steps that are consistent to past designs making field adjustments easy without the need for a service manual
Integrity and fair treatment
Web site reports show a high percentage of searches used to locate our site were based on the key words 'PA Scale', 'Penn Scale', Penna Scale' and variations of the same. The conclusion from this is we are searched every day by customers satisfied with the performance of our brand and looking for additional equipment based on the strength of past experience.
The bottom line is that our dealers and customers never took us for granted. When business conditions recover they migrate back to the suppliers that are uniquely able to support their needs.
WalMart hasn't hurt Nordstrom's or Macy's as much as the media uproar hinted-- instead it forced them to focus on the unique attributes of their brands and differentiate as much as possible to thrive. As the rush of China-manufactured products floods the market in North America, Pennsylvania scale will also refocus on the core attributes of our brand so that we are well differentiated and ready to thrive.
REVISED NTEP CERTIFICATION FOR INDICATOR PRODUCTS
A revised NTEP Certificate encompassing all bench scales and indicators has been issued by the National Type Evaluation Program from the National Conference on Weights and Measures for all Pennsylvania Scale Company products with the following model numbers:
Bench scales 7300, 7500, and 7600
Indicators 7500 and 7600
Indicators 7400 and 7600E
7400 REM DIS indicators that are used for remote indication in Baggage Scale and bench scale applications
The new certificate strealines and simplifies all of this family of products and includes photographs for easier identification of units in the field.
The new commercial application certificate is for all Class III and IIIL applications plus shows 10,000 divisions.
For a .pdf file copy of the newest NTEP cert, click HERE
Thanks to the efforts of our Rainer Holmberg, our most important core products are encompassed for both United States (NTEP) and Canada. For more information about this, contact the factory or you can view the certificates at www.ncwm.net
CHINA WEIGHING SHOW SPONSORED BY CIWIA, SHANGHAI
Three members of Pennsylvania Scale will be attending the InterWEIGH2009 Exhibition in Shanghai, China in May 2009-- Rainer Holmberg (President of Pennsylvania Scale), William K. Fischer (CEO of Emery Winslow Scale Company) and Rob Woodward (VP of Pennsylvania Scale) will travel to China and attend the show plus tour two factories as guests of Zhonghang Electronic Measuring Instruments Co., Ltd. (ZEMIC). ZEMIC is cosponsor for CIWEI and Mr. Joe Kang (President/General Manager of ZEMIC) is vice president of CIWIA. The China Weighing Instrument Association is a politicosocial group in China involved in all aspects of research and development, production, distribution, and users of weighing equipment within China.
CIWIA has reached out to the trade organization based in the USA, the International Society of Weighing and Measurement (ISWM) of which Pennsylvania scale is a member and our Rob Woodward is President 2008-2010.
InterWEIGH2009 is the largest exposition of its kind in the world and it is home to a wide range of weighing and measuring products with truly a global representation from all corners of the world. Exhibitors and attendees represent a 'Who's Who' of the weighing industry throughout the world.
As Pennsylvania Scale-- a USA brand 'made in the USA'-- looks to grow, more interest will be placed on the international marketplace both as a source of partners and market opportunities. While it is envisioned that the integrity of our brand must remain closely focused on our key values, an ideal relationship could consist of a partner with a parallel brand that addresses other market opportunties.
AIRLINE BAGGAGE SCALES WITH LARGER PLATFORM SIZES
Model 64 Baggage Scales with platforms up to 24 x 30" are widely used for baggage check-in applications. We have recently refined our Baggage Scale products with some new versions to offer larger platform sizes and/or replacement/upgraded electronics for existing competitors' products where the platforms are in good condition but the electronics have become unreliable.
1.) Model 64 Elecronics Package.
Existing installations can be upgraded using our M64 Electronics package consisting of a Main Board enclosed in a concealable aluminum enclosure underneath and inside check-in counters. This box functions as a digital indication system and is fully compatible with existing platforms manufactured by others regardless of load cell design. SINGLE or DUAL displays can be used with this system, with or without buttons. Typically the buttons ZERO, UNITS, and PRINT are provided for the agent side of the counter and a display without buttons is installed flush on the inside face of the bagwell or front facing the customer. A wide variety of existing capacities and resolutions can be accomodated with simple set-up in the field. Further, this system is covered under a unique NTEP Commercial Certificate.
2.) Larger Platform sizes for any bagwell opening
Utilizing the Single End Shear beam and extremely heavy duty design of our floor scales, we can make HD platforms of unique sizes to suit most any bagwell configuration. The benefits of using HD Single End Shear Beam load cells in this way cannot be understated-- they are more accurate, durable, and suited to the rough and tumble life of a baggage scale. The fabricated steel weighing frame is designed like a floor scale with fully adjustable heavy duty leveling feet for unmatched performance and incredible durability. The best part of this design is they are no more expensive than the cheaper and less satisfactory planar beam designs used by many of our competitors! Platforms of this design from 24 x 24" all the way up to 96 x 120" are covered under the NTEP Commercial Type Approval of our floor scale series. When used with M64 Electronics, they arrive pre-calibrated and ready for installation.
The platforms are finished with an attractive Stainless Steel shroud to match the architectural design of the check-in stations. Look for Pennsylvania Scale baggage weighing stations in airports throughout the world-- performing reliably with minimum maintenance.
CUSTOM SIZED FLOOR SCALES MANUFACTURED IN OUR TERRE HAUTE FACILITY
Odd sized floor scale for unique application or to fit an existing pit w/o modifying it? Special loading requirement? Point loading? Let us quote and design a custom floor scale for you or your customer!
Due to the unique engineering and manufacturing capability at our corporate facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, Pennsylvania Scale is adept at providing special designs at standard pricing with 3-4 week lead times. Examples of these applications would be:
Underneath a stretch-wrap machine for weighing and wrapping capability
Fitting an existing pit with an odd sized platform
Special loading requirements, such as weighing coils or tanks
Floor scale in place of separate tank mounts for greater accuracy and reduced costs-- especially in commercial weighing applications requiring Weights and Measures approvals
Unusual platform sizes to accomodate carts or vehicles with large wheelbases
Space restrictions, such as Commercial Laundries where floor space is at a premium
Height issues-- either higher or lower than standard design
In addition to the standard Single Ended Shear Beam floor scale load cell design, due to the engineering capability of our parent company (Emery Winslow Scale Company) and shared resources, we an design around Double Ended Sheer Beam load cell modules and have unique access and experience from the corporate large and special duty scales such as truck scale platforms, railroad track scales, and tank systems.
In addition, most of the Emery Winslow designs are compatible with strain guage-based load cells and modules... meaning that strain guage-based Pennsylvania Scale truck scales or coil scales are price competitive with the mainstream brands. Contact us today with your special requirement!
REPLACEMENT LOAD CELLS IN STOCK FOR MOST BRANDS OF SCALES
Due to the high volume purchasing of the combined companies of Pennsylvania Scale and our parent company Emery Winslow Scale Company plus contract manufacturing usage, we are one of the top OEM users of name-branded load cells in the USA market. Pennsylvania Scale is an excellent and highly competitive source for replacement load cells for existing scales from other manufacturers' products.
We are top level customers for the following brands of commonly used load cells, many of which are direct interchange with 'other' brands. Let us know what type and capacity load cell you need-- you may be surprised at the fast delivery and excellent pricing for the following brands among others:
Sensortronics - Single Ended Shear Beam load cells for floor scales and tank scales
Vishay Tedea Huntleigh - Single Point load cells for bench scales
Coti Inc. - Direct replacements for many applications
Scaime AG - Single Point load cells used in bench scale applications
CellTron - Single Ended Shear Beam load cells
Others
IF you are looking for an OEM supplier for load cells and instrumentation... IF you are seeking replacement load cells for existing equipment... IF you are looking for a vendor partner for these products, contact Pennsylvania Scale Company today.
SAGE GREEN PRICE PAGES NOW AVAILABLE
Sage green price page sets have been introduced covering the entire line of Pennsylvania Scale counting and weighing floor scales, bench weighing, bench counting, digital indicators, and bench platforms. While a few items have seen price increases, the vast majority of bench scale and indicator products remain untouched. <To download a set of 8.2008 price pages, Click HERE> A few of the improvements to the price page sets follow: New booklet style with staple; 3-hole punch; simplified discount codes
Popular spare parts for our floor scales have been included for salespeople that sell parts, addressing the industry trend for salespeople to sell parts and servicemen to sell scales!
Options such as Analog proportional Output (which fits all models); Ethernet; Solid State Relay controls; UPS Online defaults; Dual and Triple ranging are now included putting more information where it is needed... in the field... to make quoting and purchasing easier than ever
Sage Green color is easily identified
Digital Weight indicators now grouped by family-- with the classic Pennsylvania models that weigh and count on one page and the Emery Winslow models suited for heavy capacity and batching systems seperately on another-- they have 10 point linearization, easy 'tweek' mode for zero and span, 300 Truck Tare in/out memory slots, and easy menu-picked batching sequences
Floor scale ramps, pit frames, accessories grouped for convnient use
Barrel scales and low profle floor scales for laundries, drum weighing etc. grouped together
Airline Baggage scales more clearly identified plus new models of Airlne Baggage scales with larger platforms
Tank scale systems, tank mounts, and accessories grouped together for easy access
Replacement load cells that fit most brands and models of floor scales including Pennsylvania Scales are listed with detail for easy quoting... we have great prices on a wide range of Sensortronics and Coti load cells plus stock availability of Celtron, Pacific, Scaime, Tedea Huntleigh, and other load cells-- contact factory for excellent pricing and great deliveries
OEM-friendly products listed conveniently
Pennsylvania Scale is celebrating our 100th years of sustained accuracy in 2008
A WORD ABOUT FLOOR SCALE PRICES
Due to increased demand in Asia-- specifically China and emerging markets-- the price of mild steel used in the manufacture of Pennsylvania Scales has risen considerably in 2008. We are working hard to contain costs and limit the need for price increases, however it is difficult in a world market where demand drives up the price of our floor scales-- all Made in the USA-- and then inferior products are dumped in our market, putting enormous price pressure on us as well. For example, the steel structural extrusion material that is used in our most popular 48" x 48" floor scale designs has DOUBLED since January 2008-- and we use 16' of it in each and every scale. A few comments about our floor scale design and marketing philosophy:
1. We will not cheapen our product to match the competition. Our floor scale design in the 48 x 48" size uses the original design for the 10K scale-- in all capacities 1000 lbs, 2000 lbs, 5000 lbs, and 10,000 lbs. It was designed for minimal deflection to outlast and outperform the competition. We have a 5 year Warranty on this product.
2. Production meets type. Our design has not been cheapened to save cost-- it is the design that was approved by NTEP and meets the originally approved specifications exactly.
3. Our entire product line is designed for the heaviest anticipated use. Of course, if the scale will see fork lift traffic or other types of severe point loading, we reinforce the weighbridge even more.
4. We still use Sensortronics name brand load cells almost exclusively-- they are widely appreciated for crisp performance, long life, and superior quality.
5. Custom sized floor scales at standard pricing-- call for a quote.
6. Quality workmanship differentiates our floor scales... for example the finish of the deck plate (vs sharp edges and corners), quality and durabilitiy of the powder coat finish (vs. thinly applied or poorly sprayed)... Corners calibrated carefully before the scale ships (vs. no corner calibration and no factory matching)... 5 Year Warranty (vs. ?)...
Our goal is for Pennsylvania Scale to be around for another 100 years!
WE SUPPORT ISWM AND THE DEALER WAY OF LIFE
The International Society of Weighing and Measurement is the trade organization bringing together scale manufacturers, dealers, distributors, Weights and Measures officials, and is the center of commerce for the weighing and parts counting business. Pennsylvania Scale Company is active and committed to the ISWM.
Further: We at Pennsylvania Scale support the placing in service by an Authorized distributor or dealer of all weighing devices intended for commercial applications. For the value and support (expertise, advice, traceability of weights, certification, Warranty and non-Warranty service) our Authorized distributors and dealers provide to the proper application of our equipment, they deserve to be paid and they earn a reasonable commission. This contradicts market trends where the 'point and click' mentality rules and there is a presumption that quality and performance of items available at low prices over the interet are the same. They are not!
There has been much misue of the NTEP logo seal (National Type Evaluation Program) as a presumed seal of quality and accuracy for the purposes of promoting the sale of devices. While components receiving a Certificate of Conformance must pass a rigorous test of accuracy and permanence to receive the permission to display this seal, it is only in the proper application and placing in service of the device that it is deemed to be acceptable for commercial applications and meet the intended standards of NIST and the National Type Evaluation Program. The intent of this process was never to duplicate the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval!
There are many cheaters in this process and due to budget constraints and the lack of priority of consumer issues in our tight economy, Weights and Measures-- especially in the US and mostly at that state level is lacking. ISWM, in concert with our dealer/distributor members is continually working to right this wrong.
For these and other reasons, Pennsylvania Scale supports the ISWM.
CANADA APPROVAL FOR ALL DIGITAL INDICATOR MODELS
Lancaster, PA; Montreal, Quebec; Seymour CT:
Measurement Canada has issued a blanket approval for the entire line of Pennsylvania Scale digital indicators Approval No. AM-5647 encompassing Model Numbers 7400/REM DIS (used with Airline Baggage scales model C64), 7400M, 7500M, 7600M, 7400E, and 7600E at 10,000 displayed divisions. The approval includes the electronics-only package used for Airline Baggage applications with platforms furnished by others as well.
According to company President Rainer Holmberg, this approval encompasses the entire Pennsylvania Scale (and Emery Winslow) line of weight indicators applied in applications ranging from bench weighing to truck scales in commercial applications subject to the restrictions listed on the Approval.
Due to the present exchange rate of the US Dollar and NAFTA trade agreements promoting free trade between the 2 countries, Pennsylvania Scale products are very price competitive to Canada-- due to the NAFTA Made in USA origin of our products, they are subject to a lower import tarriff than products sourced from other locations, including some imported to the USA and then forwarded to Canadian customers.
For more information, contact the factory or follow this link.
NEW BAGGAGE SCALE PROJECTS
Lancaster, PA - July 2007
Pennsylvania M64 Baggage Scales continue to gain acceptance throughout the world's travel destinations as well as several major Airlines and Airports within the USA. A recent order (thanks to Pemica, an airport equipment provider based in Miami and Caracas, Venezuela) for 165 units is equipping 2 new terminals at Miami International Airport-- making MIA, the Gateway to Central and South American and Cruise ship destinations an airport that uses 100% Pennsylvania airline baggage scales! Other recent major projects include the ASUR Airport in Cancun, Mexico; three (3) airports in the Dominican Republic; Ecuador, Peru, and all of Alaska Airlines and HorizonAir customers. Due to the increasing need for security and economic necessity to charge for excess baggage weight, several BUS LINES and RAIL TERMINALS are adding baggage weighing stations to their check-in stations as well. Due to confidentiality concerns, we are unable to list all of the baggage scale customers, however the increase in this business segment has been substantial.
The main advantage of M64 (USA) and C64 (Canada) scales are their rugged proven history, modular design, ease of service and repair, and practical application. In fact, some of the original Baggage Scales manufactured by Pennsylvania Scale continue to provide reliable service at the USAir terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport-- over 15 years of service in an abusive environment. Even better, the new PLUS+ Series board easily RETROFITS existing product. Due to the practical design of these scales, they will be able to be serviced to new condition for the forseeable future!
For more information, contact Pennsylvania Scale Company, 1042 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA USA 17601 or email the manufacturer through this link or at rsw@pascale.com. HOLMBERG APPOINTED CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER
Seymour CT and Lancaster PA: February 15, 2007
Bill Fischer, President of the Emery Winslow Scale Companies—incuding the Emery Winslow and Pennsylvania Scale product lines—announces that Rainer Holmberg has been named Chief Technical Officer for the entire organization.
“As part of our re-evaluation of our business structure we thought it best to consolidate engineering efforts for the whole organization under one engineering head to provide consistency of direction and policy, especially in regard to product development and NTEP matters” says Fischer. “Rainer’s extensive business background in load cell, scale, and instrumentation design and production make him especially well suited for this task.”
With nearly 30 years experience in the successful design and manufacturing of weighing systems and electronic scales, Holmberg is highly regarded as an engineer and well known within the weighing industry. More recently he was responsible for the design of Pennsylvania Scales’ PLUS+ series main board architecture which is used in all products including the controls for Emery Winslow scales and weighing systems under the Emery Winslow brand.
He will continue to serve as President of Pennsylvania Scale.
REMOTE DISPLAY DEFAULT SETTING ANNOUNCED
Lancaster, PA:
A new 'standard' default setting has been added to the 7400+ and 7600E indicators for use as REMOTE DISPLAY devices, providing an off-the-shelf, easily configurable remote display option. Within the default setting, the indicator is identified as "HOST" or "SLAVE" and by simple connection through the RS-232 data port, the Slave device functions as Remote Display.
A setting option determines whether the front panel buttons would be active or not on the SLAVE unit. One of the best features is that all of the functions and options (Ethernet, Analog Output, Setpoint, etc.) are active at BOTH host and slave locations.
Given the expense and complexity of flip digit and other remote display options, using standard stock equipment for this purpose is very innovative and provides many interesting custom system options at the price of a standard unit. With both units packaged in NEMA 4X Stainless Steel enclosures with u-bracket mounts, there are lots of possible installation points for a wide range of needs.
The 7400+ unit is priced at $595; the 7600E is $645.
ETHERNET MODULE FITS ALL MODELS
Lancaster, PA:
A newly designed option board utilizing Lantronix' XPort communication module, software license, and architecture is designed to fit ALL Pennsylvania 7000 series scales and indicators. Priced at $250, the Ethernet option is supported and easily field installed. It uses a purchased Lantronix (tm) XPort module which is widely accepted-- this makes interconnection a comfortable stress-free experience for programmers.
The Ethernet module assigns an IP address (pre determined, but reconfigurable) to the device and makes it possible to control/read all functions through the internet or theoretically anywhere in the world where there is internet service. The included software license permits full access to Lantronix canned support for the device.
More and more purchasers are anticipating the future need for Ethernet communication for their weighing/batching systems and the availability-- either installed in the unit now-- or in the future-- of this option is an important feature in making the purchase decision.