NORWICH – Rumors of expansion at Unison Industries weren’t entirely squelched at a meeting of corporate executives and New York State legislators on Friday at the aeronautics plant on state Rt. 12.
With signs that the economy is beginning to turn around, Unison Site Director Gary Cummings said there were “a lot of opportunities we are looking at to grow the business.” He also said 15 new part-time employees – which could become full-time – were being added to the company’s current roster of 300.
Any specifics on expansion weren’t forthcoming, however. “It’s too early at this point,” he said.
Cummings spoke to reporters on Friday after conducting a tour of the 160,000 sq. ft. manufacturing business and hosting meetings with New York State Senator Thomas Libous, Assemblyman Clifford Crouch and Assemblyman Gary Finch.
The company is responsible for manufacturing the power generation and control systems for gas turbine engines, metal encased ignition leads, sensors, pressure and limit switches, bellows, and space ignition systems. It is a subsidiary within General Electric Engines Services’ aviation business, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
Assemblyman Finch said he was “very impressed” with Unison’s success in competing in the worldwide marketplace for its products, calling the company “ahead of the curve.”
“They are taking business away from Mexico and China and doing it profitably right here in New York State,” he said.
Cummings said Unison hosts local representatives periodically in order to discuss economic development opportunities for the company and for upstate New York. Some of the items on Unison’s wish list were: a more highly skilled workforce, a safer and improved Route 12, and less corporate taxes.
“New York is not the easiest state be competitive, not within our industry nor with our own company’s other plants,” he said.
When asked why the representatives weren’t in Albany working through the state’s already overdue budget, Assemblyman Crouch said he couldn’t go to any meetings until they were called and he couldn’t vote on anything until a vote is called.
“We can’t vote on a budget that’s not there,” he said. “It’s still stalled by the three men in the room,” he continued, referring to New York State Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Conference Leader John Sampson who are currently meeting behind closed doors.
Senator Libous said about $2 billion in spending reductions and revenue raising ideas separates the Republican minority’s budget proposal from that of the Democrats’. Finding loopholes in Medicaid fraud and consolidating agencies such as the New York State Liquor Authority, the Division of Lottery and the New York State offices of Mental Health and Alcohol & Drug would go a long way toward creating savings over time.
“The governor has ignored all of these,” said Libous. “His idea of borrowing or increasing taxes ... We say no to either of these ... Our ideas, in time, amount to real savings.”