If you are a tourist, a sports fan, a city resident or simply looking for a good place to get a drink and a hearty meal in a convivial atmosphere, you might want to check out the Playwright Irish Pub chain in Manhattan. There are three locations in total: the Playwright Irish Pub, the Playwright Celtic Pub and the Playwright Tavern. While each facility is slightly different, all offer the same spirit of casual comfort and hospitality.

Facing considerable competition in today’s marketplace, it is imperative that companies do whatever it takes to boost profits, especially in the food processing and restaurant industries, where speed, consistency, efficiency, and health standards are paramount, and profit margins are slim. To remain cost-competitive, food-related businesses – from large-scale processing plants to fast-food franchises – must balance quality with price, not always an easy feat.

The Original Cakerie’s desserts serve as the centerpiece for some of life’s greatest celebrations and moments. Its array of irresistible layer cakes, indulgent dessert bars, and innovative dessert concepts are crafted with superior ingredients and a personalized touch. President Doris Bitz described it as, “scratch baking on an industrial scale.”

Rastelli Foods Group has come a long way from its early days as a single butcher shop in South Jersey, having become an international presence whose reputation for outstanding products, expertise and service precedes it.

CHL Systems of Souderton, Pennsylvania has, for much of the past sixty years, catered to the food and general manufacturing industries. Today, it manufactures process automation equipment and provides services to industries that include snack foods and confectionery, food processing and packaging, meat handling and packaging, pharmaceuticals, steel, energy, and manufacturing. We spoke with Chief Operating Officer Mike Giagnacova, Sales Manager Andy MacBride and Marketing Associate Jeff Bowman.

The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), a non-profit global trade association, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is the largest association in the United States serving the needs of suppliers of equipment and services to the food and beverage processing and packaging industry.

Viking Pump works in a wide variety of industries, and it spans the globe with over one hundred authorized distributors in over seventy countries. We spoke to Communications and Marketing Manager Debbie Kleitsch, Product Manager John Hall and Distribution Business Line Vice President John Stillman.

PACCAR Winch is recognized as a leader in the design, manufacture and sale of gear, hoist, winch and drive products sold through its Braden, Carco, and Gearmatic brands. It has a global presence along with the resources and standing of Fortune 200 company PACCAR Inc behind it.

Hetronic is part of the Methode Electronics group of companies and is internationally recognized for its capabilities in the design, manufacture and configuration of highly durable and reliable Radio Remote Control (RRC) wireless solutions for the most demanding process control needs.

In 2017, Epcon Industrial Systems will celebrate its fortieth anniversary. Having designed, engineered and manufactured and installed over four thousand practical air pollution control technology, heat-finishing equipment and specialty solutions for loyal customers in North America and around the world over the last four decades, it has proudly elevated itself above the competition in both the environmental and metal finishing arenas.

Royce Associates is a fourth generation company that has successfully evolved and thrived for over eighty-seven years. But, how is it possible that some companies achieve such longevity and success while others do not? In most cases, there is not a single factor, but rather a combination that together makes those companies unstoppable. For Royce, it is strong family values, adaptability, quality, and a customer-centric focus.

Steve Robinson is the president, chief executive officer and co-owner of rigid printed circuit board manufacturing company APCT, running day-to-day operations of the North American global business. His primary duty is maintaining profitability for his financial partners and himself, but he believes his ultimate responsibility is guiding the team in the right direction to preserve the culture and direction of the business.

Franklin Empire is a family-owned electrical distributor that proudly marked its 75th anniversary this year. The firm sells electrical supplies and automation and control systems, has assembly and repair facilities, and conducts energy management studies among other services. The company is also the largest independent electrical distributor in Canada.

Nestled in the hills of Marshall County, Tennessee, one hour south of Nashville and one hour north of Huntsville, lies Lewisburg, a place which can best be described as the quintessential middle Tennessee town.

The Greene County Partnership is an umbrella organization located in Greeneville, Tennessee, that brings together the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, Tourism, Education & Workforce Development, and the county’s environmental arm, Keep Greene Beautiful. Business in Focus spoke with Matt Garland, Greene County Partnership’s President and CEO, to learn more about this dynamic and growing county.

Maury County is located in Tennessee, approximately forty-five miles south of Nashville. It has a wide variety of landscapes, from the classic hills of Tennessee to farmlands, all with a rich history and an array of beautiful antebellum homes. But its wonderfully unique mixture of a suburban lifestyle with a rural feel is what makes it such a great place to live and do business.

Situated at the juncture of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, less than forty miles northeast of San Francisco, the City of Pittsburg maintains its historic charm while boasting many of the advantages of larger centers.

Since its incorporation almost seventy years ago, the city of Brentwood has been a gem in California’s far eastern Contra Costa County region. Brentwood is growing in popularity with residents and visitors and is becoming one of the best places to start a new business or expand an existing one.

As the most recently incorporated city in California’s Contra Costa County, Oakley is well positioned to welcome a range of businesses and industries. Oakley has been steadily growing since its incorporation on July 1, 1999, and it has emerged as a tremendous location for not only established and emerging companies but also a community with reasonable home prices, excellent schools, parks and trails, restaurants and entertainment. These and other lifestyle amenities are rapidly making Oakley a great place to work, play and live.

Antioch’s skilled workforce is ready – ready to see the end of long commutes, ready to be home on time for dinner, ready to see the kids play ball, ready to invest their valuable time and talents in quality industry that’s ready to take advantage of deep water ports, major rail lines, over $1.3B in highway and transit improvements, and a reliable source of water; Antioch’s ready for you!