2023 Manufacturing Awards: Family

Few business sectors can top the production and employment numbers of manufacturing. This year, Buffalo Business First is proud to honor 25 standouts within the industry.

The winners in this year's family-run manufacturing category: Buffalo Abrasives, Moley Industries, Pine Pharmaceuticals and VSP Graphic Group.

960 Erie Ave., North Tonawanda • buffaloabrasives.com

CEO: Jeffrey Binkley

Key executives

Manufactured product: Custom-made abrasive grinding wheels for multiple industrial sectors. Wheels are manufactured for the steel, aircraft, medical and automotive industries.

Founded: 1988

Employees, local: 46

Annual revenue: $6.7 million

Plans for 2023 and beyond: Continued penetration in targeted markets through manufacturing/systems improvement and product innovation. Maintain stability and growth within our North Tonawanda manufacturing operations.

Key event in company history: The partnership with SAK Abrasive Industries in 2019 that allowed our company's product offerings to grow in scope and scale.

An interesting fact: The Russ/Binkley family's role in Western New York and the abrasives industry started in 1929 under the company National Grinding Wheel Inc. Buffalo Abrasives is in the same facility.

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5202 Commerce Drive, Lockport • moleymagneticsinc.com

CEO: Katie Hurley

Key executives

Manufactured product: Moley Industries manufactures custom parts for customers, brackets for industrial attachments, electro magnets and repairs alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) motors.

Founded: Moley Industries, originally Moley Electric Motor Repair, was founded in 1990.

Employees, local: 42

Employees, total including local: 46

Plans for 2023 and beyond: Moley Industries will continue its legacy of trusted service, growth and integrity. We will be showcasing our facility at our Sept. 26 open house.

Company innovation: We’ve successfully designed and patented an industry leading product to keep customers up and running on the job and minimize downtime. We continually make investments to enhance our products, and have purchased state-of-the-art machinery to improve quality and efficiency.

Key event in company history: Diversification of our business into industrial attachments (electro magnets, grapples and pulverizers) has allowed our business to expand across North America.

An interesting fact: Our roots are humble, we started our business in a small garage in Niagara County.

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355 Riverwalk Pkwy., Tonawanda • pinepharmaceuticals.com

Owners: Alfonse Muto, R.Ph. and Alfonse J. Muto, Pharm.D.

Key executives

Manufactured product: Pine Pharmaceuticals is an FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facility that prepares high-quality, ready-to-administer compounds and repackaged products for hospitals, surgery centers and practices nationwide.

Founded: 2014

Employees, local: 238

Plans for 2023 and beyond: Pine is committed to introducing over a dozen new sterile drug products this year. In addition to several key investments in manufacturing and automation, Pine is building an in-house quality control laboratory.

Company innovation: In 2022, Pine completed construction on its 50,000-square-foot expansion, increasing its capabilities to produce life-saving drugs.

Key event in company history: Both pharmacists, Alfonse partnered with his son, Alfonse J. Muto, to establish Pine Pharmaceuticals in 2014. Today, Pine prepares all products from its 75,000-square-foot outsourcing facility in Tonawanda.

An interesting fact: Alfonse Muto started the company at 25 and was the only employee for two years.

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10 Dyke Road, West Seneca • vspgraphicgroup.com

CEO: Trace George

Key executives

Manufactured product: VSP designs, produces and implements wide format graphics and display signage for national and regional applications.

Founded: 1995

Employees, local: 16

Employees, total including local: 23

Plans for 2023 and beyond: VSP intends to grow into the commercial fleet branding business with increased printing capabilities.

Company innovation: The VSP operation is managed with production software that watches over every aspect of the project from design to implementation.

Key event in company history: VSP was introduced as the primary sign provider for the 1999 Woodstock Concert, which launched the company into the corporate service world, working with AT&T, Coca-Cola and many more.

An interesting fact: VSP is the original pioneer of wide format printing in Western and Central New York. VSP starting wrapping vehicles and interior walls well before the industry took off.

We're looking for world class leaders- right here in Western New York. Do you work with one? Do you know one? Make your nomination today.