www.evesun.comPublished by The Evening Sun

Expanding and stayingput in Chenango

Submitted Photo

A group of employees from Norwich Pharmaceuticals is seen in East Park in downtown Norwich on Alvogen Day this past Sept. of 2015.

BY CAMERON TURNERSun Staff Writercturner@evesun.com

NORWICH – NorwichPharmaceuticals looks tocontinue its already long his-tory in the community, span-ning some 128 years.Through the many years,ownership has changed handsnumerous times and withthose changes, have comenew and different businessstrategies.

“The ability to evolve withthe ever-changing dynamicsof the pharmaceutical busi-ness. Without the evolutionand willingness to changepharmaceutical companies dodie. So our willingness to beable to change, and theaggressiveness to make theright investments, and theright investments in people,”said Charlie Andrews, VicePresident, Operations,regarding what has helpedkeep Norwich

Pharmaceuticals stay aroundin the community for such along period of time.

For the past six years,Norwich Pharmaceuticals hasbeen associated with theAlvogen organization as theirparent company. Alvogen hasbeen a strong partner and hasimplemented a strategy ofmoving NorwichPharmaceuticals from a con-tract manufacturing organiza-tion to one focused primarilyon the production of Alvogenproducts.

As Alvogen has expandedits portfolio of products in theUnited States, many of thoseare coming to Norwich phar-maceuticals to be manufac-tured. There were seven newproducts launched fromNorwich Pharmaceuticals in2015 and six expanded prod-uct lines.

“We have a longstandingand highly trained workforce.Part of the Alvogen model isto try to make drug products

that are difficult to manufac-ture. That will essentiallyprovide us our competitiveedge,” said Ric Festarini, VicePresident, Human Resources.“That speaks to the evolutionand of us being adaptable, aswe have to focus on the prod-uct, to help make it viable.”

Critical to the future of thesite, is the ability to deliverproducts to specification, ontime and in full. In 2015Norwich Pharmaceuticalsmet all of the 10 primary met-rics upon which the efficien-cy and effectiveness of thesite is judged, inclusive ofsafety, quality and revenuetargets.

Another significant benefitderived from the Alvogenownership, is their willing-ness to invest for the future ofNorwich Pharmaceuticals.

2015 saw the approval ofthe largest capital investmentin the almost 400,000 square

In their own words:Laura Parker

2015 was a big year forme. In January I wasadmitted to the New YorkState Bar Association,moved back to New York,and started my first post-law school job in the legalfield as an AssistantDistrict Attorney inBroome County. This sum-mer I learned how to golf,and in September I gotengaged. In November Ibecame the first femaleAssistant District Attorneyin Chenango County. Now

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foot facility since its origi-nal construction in the1970’s.

The building is beingexpanded to allow for theinstallation of new Fluid Beddryers. This equipment isheavily used in the produc-tion of newer types of med-ications and keeps the sitecurrent with the manufactur-ing technology of the indus-try. The $26 million dollarproject is “on track, on timeand on budget.” It should benoted that much of the capitalinvestment is being spentlocally, with StantecEngineering leading thedesign efforts for the newbuilding and HendersonConstruction completingmuch of the constructionwork.

“We are evolving into itand it is a 3-5 year plan, todevelop products on theequipment once it is built andthen have those productsapproved by the FDA so wecan manufacture for commer-cial sale. Our projection is tobring on more employees in3-5 years, once this is allcomplete,” explainedAndrews.

Andrews alleged that thenew Fluid Bed dryer equip-ment should be operationaland ready to start developingproducts by November of2016.

“A 26 million dollar invest-ment, which spans over atwo-year period. We haveonly spent about half of it sofar in 2015, saving the otherhalf for 2016. On top of this

expansion, the amount ofwork in renovations that hasbeen conducted on the build-ing in 2015 equates to about 9million dollars. Betweenequipment and upgrades tothe facility, this is a greatinvestment in a one year port-folio,” said Andrews.

Festarini clarified whatexactly is meant when theterm expansion is used,“businesses have to continu-ously invest so they can staycurrent and be viable. Ratherthan the expected increase ofjobs as expected by the publicwhen mentioning any expan-

sion, sometimes it is mainte-nance. For example if youstill have the same car, youhave to invest money into itjust to keep the car on theroad.”

Despite internal successand expansions, NorwichPharmaceuticals has alwayshad a community focus, withmembership on variousboards and related organiza-tions throughout the commu-nity. The past few years hasseen the NorwichPharmaceuticals encouragecommunity volunteerismamongst all its employees.

“The parent company,Alvogen has this basic ideathat their facilities should beengaged in the communitiesthey are in. It is one thing justsay it but another to actuallymake something happen, andwe have,” said Festarini.

Alvogen Day, throughcommunity focus, has grownin stature each of the pastthree years and NorwichPharmaceuticals is lookingforward to doing even morein 2016.

Time away from work hasbeen provided for communityclean-up efforts such as

Alvogen Day, as well as othercharitable organization sup-port activities. This past year(2015) in September,Norwich Pharmaceuticalsentirely shut down all produc-tion on a Friday, a first ever,and brought its entire work-force of 300 employees intodowntown Norwich to com-plete beautification projectsrequested by the City andcharitable agencies.

“Alvogen day is all aboutgiving back to the communi-ty. It is all about finding whatin the community our facilitycan help support,” said

Andrews.Strong internal campaigns

are run each year in supportof the United Way and Relayfor Life fundraisers. Thisyear’s United Way campaignexceeded its objectives of$45,000 dollars, and deliv-ered in excess of $48,000 tothe local charity.

“What is important is themoney stays in ChenangoCounty and we are veryproud of that,” said Andrews.

Norwich Pharmaceuticalshas most recently endorsedthree of its employees, to par-ticipate in LeadershipChenango, being led by theChamber of Commerce.Leadership Chenango is an 8-month program which helpsprovide leadership skill train-ing to its participants andbuilds a foundation for themto give back to the communi-ty through future involvementin charitable initiatives.

“It is very beneficial topeople in the community whohave a long standing historyof being in ChenangoCounty,” said Andrews.“whether you grew up here ormoved here twenty years ago,the people involved are peo-ple who are embedded here.So they have a very vestedinterest in not only improvingtheir own leadership capabili-ties, but also sitting on boardsand getting involved.”

“We’ve got a great storyhere at the facility for theentire year, and look forwardto another great year ahead ofus,” Andrews concluded.

Submitted Photo

A group of employees from Norwich Pharmaceuticals pauses for a photo in front of Matthews Ford, during their community cleanupon Alvogen Day.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Norwich Pharma gets involved –

17PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2016

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Success Story

In 1896 a group of people with a vision and a purpose, planned a residence for elder-ly women in need of comfort and care. In 1898 the vision became a reality with a dona-tion from Cyrus Martin of one thousand dollars and two building lots at the corner ofCanasawacta and Fair streets in Norwich. Other donations from individuals, churchgroups, and community organizations secured the initial development.

For over one hundred years that vision has grown into Chenango County’s finestadult home providing residential care for women AND men. In 1998 Chenango ValleyHome constructed an apartment complex to provide another level of secure independentliving. Today Chenango Valley Home & Apartments maintains 30 private rooms and 12independent apartments in a friendly, caring and safe environment at an affordable cost.Quality services are provided by a staff of thirty-five full and part time employees alongwith twenty two volunteers. A dedicated board of twelve members from the communi-ty govern a budget of over $1.5 million dollars.

This grand establishment continues its mission through competent management andcontinued benevolence of the community. Chenango Valley Home & Apartmentsreceives no public funds. Approximately forty percent of operational expenses are pro-vided by prudent investment of donations received since our inception over a centuryago.

The Chenango Valley Home & Apartment Endowment Fund has been created to sup-port the mission of the Home to recognize past and present donors for their valued sup-port and to offer others the opportunity to help maintain the excellence of our serviceand our facilities. A “Tree of Appreciation” has been created and is on display in themain dining room to recognize the various levels of significant donations to our memo-rial fund. Donors are recognized by engraved leaves of different hues on the tree or by“Rocks” of our foundation.

We sincerely thank all of our past supporters and look forward to serving our com-munity friends and their families for many years to come.

The Chenango Valley Home & Apartments

I’m shopping for my firsthome.

I’ve known I wanted to be alawyer as far back as I couldremember. My best friend,Annika, recently said, “Iremember the day you toldme you wanted to go to lawschool. It happened when wewere in high school, in theNorwich Wal-Mart parkinglot, where all good storiesbegin.” It was a plan, a goalfor which I would not take nofor an answer. I knew I wasgoing to be a lawyer. I want-ed to embark on a successfulcareer where I could make adifference, where I could helpothers. That passion drove meto work hard, do well inschool, and do whatever ittook to achieve my goal.

Growing up in ChenangoCounty I learned the value ofhard work. I was alwaystaught to be nice to others,and never give up. At a veryyoung age a strong work ethicwas instilled in me. My par-ents taught me that I had towork hard for what I wantedand that my success was notgoing to be handed to me. Awork ethic somewhat uniqueto Chenango County, asopposed to other places Ihave lived. Though I lived in

the ‘city’ of Norwich, manyof my fellow ChenangoCounty residents know what Iam talking about. Many ofyou are used to getting upearly to work, milking cowsor bailing hay. All whilegoing to school and playing asport.

I used that work ethic to getmyself through college, lawschool, as well as taking andpassing two state bar exams. Icarry that work ethic with me,in my job and my day-to-daylife. I hope to use that workethic to achieve yet anothergoal – a successful career thatmeans something. Becomingthe first female AssistantDistrict Attorney inChenango County. Wow.Amazing. Now, I do notembark on this career to boastor to brag. I am beginning mycareer with pride that I am inthe place I need to be to makea difference. To help othersin the community where Iwas raised and the communi-ty I appreciate and respect. Imay not be in the most popu-lar position in the county, butI am here to continue to makeChenango County a place tobe proud of.

At a recent Christmasparty, my uncle asked me,“did you send anyone to jailrecently?” While the question

was in jest, I do not work withthe hope that I will sendsomeone to jail. I go to workwith the hope that someday Iwill not have to send anyoneto jail. Now, I know that is nota reality. Crime does happen.But it is an outlook. A mind-set. I am in the business ofhelping the community to bea safer place to live and toraise a family. A communitythat I was not only raised in,but a community that I choseto return to, a community thatI call home.

Many people have com-mented to my parents abouthow nice it is to see a localNorwich grad come back tothe area, start a career, and toraise a family. I join in thatsentiment. I am proud tocome back; to bring pride, tobring prosperity, and to bringhope to this community.

Looking back, when I wasin high school, I never imag-ined I would be back inNorwich for my career. It’sbeen an unlikely path, whichI am now embracing as theright one. I could not be hap-pier to be back in my home-town, back to my roots, backto the place that I am proud tocall my home.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In their own words:Laura Parker

Best of Chenango:Chenango practically

bleeds orange and green

BY SHAWN MAGRATH

Sun Staff Writer

smagrath@evesun.com

NORWICH – Whetherthey’re Irish or just Irish for aday, folks in ChenangoCounty need look no furtherthan the local St. Patrick’sDay festivities to celebratetheir Celtic roots.

From parades to clog danc-ing to corn beef and cabbage,local venues come alive withIrish customs – and, ofcourse, all things green. InSherburne, a town that proud-ly shows off its Irish pride,dozens of groups march inthe St. Patrick’s Day paradealongside bagpipers, Irishdancers, political heads, andcountless displays of orange,white and green.

The Sherburne parade orig-inally began in the 1970s,when Denny O’Connormarched up North MainStreet from the SherburneInn, beating his drum andleading walkers to Lewis’Restaurant. After Denny’spassing, the marchers

stopped – that is until BettyMcDaniel resurrected theevent in 2001. McDanielorganized approximately 80individuals to march up NorthMain carrying banners andflags. Twenty-one groupsparticipated the followingyear, and the parade contin-ues strong today.

It goes much the same inthe City of Norwich, whereIrish pride couldn’t be moreevident. Residents kick-offwith the annual St. Patty’sDay parade and Irish flagraising in East Park, oftenaccompanied by Irish folkdance and music from theEast Park Stage.

But what sets Norwichapart from its surroundingIrish kin of sorts is the contin-uing celebration into the lateevening hours. Many localbars offer one day only spe-cialty drinks. After all, itwouldn’t be St. Patty’s Daywithout an abundance ofgreen beer. No businessknows this better than theBlarney Stone Pub. Last year,the Pub played host to scoresof festival-goers that turned

out see the six-member RyanClan, Chenango County’sown Irish folk music ensem-ble.

The Ryan Clan has longbeen the go-to band for foot-stomping, hand-clapping,sing-along Irish music in thecounty. From the small spot-light of the Blarney StonePub to the grand stage of theChenango Arts Council, thou-sands of locals have watchedthe Ryan Clan perform andhale the band as the area’sleading Irish folk group.

“Irish music has such abroad spectrum,” said RyanClan lead vocalist FrankRevoir. “What we do is try totake a mix of music, mostwhich requires harmony, andpresent that on stage.”

No “luck of the Irish” need-ed, the local St. Patrick’s Dayfestivities earn a spot onChenago’s “best of” list.

BY SHAWN MAGRATHSun Staff Writersmagrath@evesun.com

NEW BERLIN – Withflexibility and an unmatchedcommitment to meeting cus-tomers’ needs, PreferredMutual has shown for 120years that it’s not just in theinsurance business. It’s in thebusiness of helping people.Whether it’s being there inthe aftermath of a winterstorm, or providing peace ofmind for someone who’s hada fender bender, PreferredMutual strives to put theircustomers’ minds at ease – toencourage them to live theirlife, and to live assured.

In fact, that’s the visionbehind the company’stagline: “Live Assured.” TheNew Berlin based provider ofproperty and casualty insur-ance made customer satisfac-tion a top priority when firstopening its doors 120 yearsago, and that same philoso-phy continues to steer busi-ness with the organization’s235,000-plus policyholderstoday.

Started as a fire insurancecompany owned entirely byits policyholders in 1896,Preferred has broadened itsscope of services to offer avariety of personal and busi-ness insurance products. Itsproducts now include protec-tion for homeowners, rentersand mobile home owners.Additionally, Preferred offers

personal, auto, snowmobileand boat coverage, as well ascoverage for identity theftand fraud.

Preferred Mutual alsooffers commercial lines insur-ance for small and mid-sizedbusiness owners, as well asspecialty products for con-tractors, religious institutions,restaurants and hotels.

Chenango County residentsknow Preferred Mutual as theinsurance company in theirown back yard. But the com-pany’s footprint is much larg-er, encompassing regions inNew York, New Jersey,Massachusetts and NewHampshire. With a nearly 2percent increase in policy-holders last year, and plans ofgrowing direct written premi-ums by 6 percent in 2016,Preferred aims to continuethe momentum that has madeit a respected name in theinsurance industry.

“I think that our employ-ees’ commitment to servingcustomer needs, as well as anability to provide unsur-passed customer service iswhat sets our companyapart,” said Brian Lopata,Preferred Mutual’s SeniorVice President of ProfitCenter Operations andCustomer Relations. “It’s allabout putting the customer atthe very core of everythingwe do as an organization.”

That model of doing busi-ness has been an undeniable

success for Preferred. Theorganization finished 2015with direct written premiumstopping $290 million, a 2.5percent increase over the pre-vious year. And its commit-ment to quality earned it an“A” rating from AM Best, themost highly recognized ratingagency in the property andcasualty insurance industry.

“We’re proud of that,” said

Lopata, noting that AM Bestbased its ratings onPreferred’s ability to meetongoing insurance policy andcontract obligations. Theagency lauded PreferredMutual as a thriving companywith a “stable” outlook. Therating considers Preferred’soverall operating perform-ance, well established region-al market presence, advancedtechnology, and solid risk

management.Given Preferred’s

acclaimed business style andits steady future, the companyhas to be ready for whateverchallenges come its way. Asof late, most of those chal-lenges have been in the formof heavy snow and flood,according to Lopata.

Last winter, PreferredMutual paid out more than$50 million in winter related

property claims.Policyholders made claimson property damage causedby seasonal events like icedamming, freezing pipes, androof collapses caused byheavy snow.

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Success Story

It has been almost 95 years since Hal’s grandfather opened a small jewelry shop inNorwich. He would have never imagined that Skillin’s Jewelers would be going strongalmost one century later.

Skillin’s is still a member of the Independent Jewelers Organization which is an inde-pendent national buyers group of successful jewelers from all over the country. Halattended an IJO show in Nashville last year where he continued his education at sever-al seminars.

2 Stone Jewelry is the newest trend in jewelry; it was introduced at the end of the year.Each piece has 2 stones of equal size and shape that represent the true love between twopeople in a relationship. They have necklaces, rings and earrings available in SterlingSilver, 14kt white gold, 14kt yellow gold and two tone pieces accented with 14kt rosegold. This is the hottest jewelry on the market and you can get it right here in Norwich.In addition to 2 Stone Jewelry they still carry Pandora which is the most popular jewel-ry line. In 2015 Pandora greatly expanded their ring collection. The ring collection fea-tures fine silver and gold bands with intricate details and gemstone accents. There arestatement rings and a large number of stacking rings so you can create a look that’s justright for you.

At Skillin’s Jewelers they specialize in custom design jewelry and have an excellentrepair department. There is no job too big or too small and they provide free estimatesand sketches. You can turn your unwanted and broken jewelry into a beautiful piece thatyou can enjoy or restore a family heirloom.

Hal recently stepped down from the BID board after 25 years, but continues as amember of Rotary. Skillin’s will be having some fun Facebook contests and specialevents in 2016. They have updated their website and made it easier to navigate. Theylook forward to another successful year in 2016 and will continue to value the trust theircustomers have in them.

Skillin’s Jewelers

Preferred leads the way in the‘people helping’ business

Submitted Photo

Preferred Mutual employees clean up the Route 8 corridor as part of the volunteer "Adopt a Highway" initiative in 2015.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

19PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2016

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canes, or winter storms,we’ve been seeing an increasein severity relative to weatherpatterns, and that can be hardon an insurance company,”Lopata said.

Although it’s a financialburden to incur those types oflosses, Preferred has a provenrecord of excelling in the areaof risk management; so thecompany is well poised tohandle whatever MotherNature has in store.

“That’s why people buyinsurance. They want securi-ty,” Lopata added. “We sell apromise that we’ll be there ina time of need, so peoplewant to be sure that we havestrong risk management forour organization.”

Preferred’s businessaccomplishments aside, thecompany makes continuousefforts to be a communityplayer. In 2015, PreferredMutual teamed up with theNorwich Family YMCA tooffer free swim lessons tofirst grade students fromthree local schools. In thesame vein, Preferred employ-ees partnered with local firedepartments for a programthat provided fire safety edu-cation to more than 1,000 ele-mentary school students.What’s more, employees col-lectively raised more than$21,000 to help fund theChenango County UnitedWay’s annual campaign.

Of course, a company isonly as good as its people.Forty new faces joinedPreferred’s team of insuranceprofessionals last year, alongwith six new executives.

While a majority of thosearen’t new positions in thecompany, Preferred does haveambitions of expanding itsworkforce by 50 by the end of2016. Newly created posi-tions will be fused intodepartments across the enter-prise, including customerservice, underwriting, tech-nology, claims, and othercore functions.

When it comes to customerservice, Preferred’s strategicfive-year plan outlines a num-ber of new initiatives to meetthe diversified needs of itscustomers. With growingdemand for online services,the company aims to investheavily in technology overthe next year to offer all itsproducts in the most conven-ient way possible. Preferredis already utilizing moresocial media to reach a broad-er customer base; and byshifting more focus to onlineportals and other mediums ofself-service, it’s balancing thetraditional needs of its cus-tomers with the convenienceof 21st century technology.

Said Lopata, “The expecta-tions of customers are rapidlychanging. We’re trying torespond to those expectationsand do business the way theywant to do business.”

“Personal insurance todayis a commodity that every-body is selling,” he added.“The only way to differenti-ate is through the customerexperience and building con-fidence. We are all about let-ting people go out and livetheir life, and letting themknow that we have theirinsurance needs covered.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Submitted Photo

A number of Preferred Mutual staffers take part in the 2015 Utica Heart Run and Walk.

A promise they’ll be there –

20 PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUNPROGRESS CHENANGO 2016