Among the many manufacturing plants stretching along the riverfront on Allegheny Boulevard in Franklin is a company making a real impact for patients at UPMC Northwest. Piovan North America, formerly known as IPEG and more commonly referred to as Conair, makes charitable giving a priority.
At their Franklin plant, the approximately 160 employees of Piovan/Conair manufacture auxiliary equipment for the plastics industry. The plant has been operating in Franklin since the 1950s and recently became part of PiovanGroup, an Italian company and a global leader in the design and manufacture of industrial automation systems for the storage, conveying, and processing of plastics and various other products. The Group is a multinational corporation with 14 production plants and more than 2,000 employees worldwide.
Piovan/Conair donates to a variety of nonprofit organizations in the Venango County area, including the Northwest Hospital Foundation. Robert Puleo, Vice President of Operations, summed up the company’s approach to philanthropy. “At Conair, we believe in strengthening our local community by supporting vital institutions like the Northwest Hospital Foundation,” he said. “Together, we ensure a committed future by enhancing healthcare services for everyone in the local region.”
The company’s contributions to the Foundation help fund state-of-the-art medical technology and equipment which allow UPMC Northwest to provide advanced patient care transcending the typical capabilities of a small, rural hospital. With the support of Piovan/Conair and many other donors, over $1 million has been invested in upgrading surgical technology and patient care equipment in the past five years.
By empowering UPMC Northwest in providing top-notch care, Piovan/Conair upholds the health and well-being of their employees and employees’ families. A quality local hospital helps the company attract and retain workers in addition to benefitting the community as a whole.
“We have a great workforce here,” said Mr. Puleo. “As our business continues to grow, we embrace opportunities to give back to the place we all call home. We are proud to join the Northwest Hospital Foundation in their efforts to make our hospital the best it can be.”
