Charlie Jacques, owner and operator of Susquehanna Wire Rope and Rigging, envisions being in the business - and local community - for the long haul.
Jacques opened the newly-established industrial roping business at 1565 Frederick Ave. in December, carefully choosing the Williamsport area as its home because of the anticipated growth the Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling industry is predicted to bring.
Couple the expected growth with a lack of businesses fabricating and selling rigging products within a 100-mile radius only helps to elevate Jacques' hopes for a successful run.
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GREG HAYES/Sun-Gazette
Shop foreman Josh Mercer splices a strand of coiled cable at Susquehanna Wire Rope and Rigging, 1565 Frederick Ave.
"I think that it's going to be a big growth for a long time," Jacques said. "The rig count is fixing to double for the northern counties, so we have nothing but high hopes for that particular sector of business."
Flanked by a mere two employees - a splicer and sales representative - the infant operation orchestrates the creation of lifting product to service those in construction, mining, oil and gas, trucking, towing, and garbage businesses.
His facility also produces material to help with other lifting applications, such as cranes.
"Basically, we service anybody who needs wirerope or chain to move heavy objects," he added, further describing his business as a niche market.
Among other distributors, Jacques produces some of his material provided by the city-based Wirerope Works Inc., 100 Maynard St.
"It's surprising how often this stuff is needed," he said. "We started off great ... the first month has been much better than expected."
In just under two months in existence since opening the Lycoming Creek Road facility, Jacques said business has picked up, describing it as a more rampant trade than one may think.
For example, anytime a structure is designed to rise above one story or whenever a bridge is constructed, industrial wiring is needed in the process.
Citing the Pennsylvania College of Technology's Stage X Building Program, which includes construction of on-campus housing for about 250 students and renovations at several campus facilities, Jacques said the type of material he handles is used in such projects.
"You'll see every floor has 4,000 to 5,000 feet of cable as perimeter cable," he said.
Skilled in the field since beginning in the industry in 1992 in New York, Jacques comes to the area with 14 years of business ownership in Ridgway.
"I just kind of grew up in the business," he said, "and ended up lasting for about three years (under another company's employment) before I started my own business, and away we went."
Like any business owners who start off small, Jacques said he hopes to take his newest operation and expand on it as time goes on.
Stationed in an area with potential growth under the influence of natural gas exploration, the owner said he hopes to hire more people and push forward at his facility.
"It's exciting," the owner said as he looks toward the future of his operation.
From Monday to Friday, Jacques said his business is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
