Three years ago, John Bonislawski was building components for military defense projects in his basement.
A veteran of the electronics manufacturing industry (and the United States Army), Bonislawski had taken a leap of faith.
He’d left a respected position as head of operations for General Dynamics to start his own company, Homeland Manufacturing Services. He had about 300 square feet of space in his basement, one piece of assembly equipment and a family to feed.
“But then something interesting happened,” Bonislawski said on Wednesday at a ribbon cutting for his company’s new home on Clyde Avenue in State College – a space significantly larger than his basement, with a custom designed manufacturing floor.
“As it turns out, if you build a quality product and deliver it when you say you’re going to, then people will keep making orders.”
That simple equation – quality plus reliability – seems to be the secret to the rapid growth of Homeland Manufacturing Services. In just three years, Bonislawski says his company has moved out of the basement, outgrown an office meant to last five years, and expanded into a 10 person operation.
Now Bonislawski and his employees, “the best in Centre County,” he brags, can hardly keep up with the orders coming in. They design and manufacture everything from circuit boards to sensors for everyone from local agricultural companies to the United States Navy.
But more importantly for Bonislawski, he’s helping bring manufacturing jobs back to central Pennsylvania. Even if its only ten jobs, for the time being, at least, he’s happy to make some small difference.
“I spent a long time working for companies that were sending jobs overseas,” Bonislawski says. “I want to continue bringing manufacturing back into the USA.”
Everything about Homeland Manufacturing Servces ties back into this ‘made-in-the-USA’ mindset – the company name, the use of the American Flag in its logo, the contracts with the U.S military.
And as a six-year Army veteran himself, Bonislawski says it feels “awesome” to be creating jobs while designing technology for America’s servicemen and servicewomen. He takes pride in knowing he’s played a part in making sure American military members have the best equipment possible.
His wife, Jennifer Bonislawski, admits she was scared when her husband first announced his intent to quit his job and start his own company. And she admits the first few years were stressful and hard – but when she sees the success her husband has earned, she glows with pride.
“I knew what he was capable of, and I knew he’d take care of his family,” Jennifer Bonislawski says. “I love watching my husband’s dreams come true.”
Popular Stories:
Senator Reveals Penn State Board of Trustee Reform Proposal
Penn State Condemns Kappa Delta Rho, Banishes Frat for Three Years
Man Arrested for Headbutting Pregnant Woman
Prosecutors Demand Court Deny Christopher Lee’s Requests to Suppress Evidence, Split Charges
State College Man Tasered Twice During Arrest
Affidavit Alleges Judge Texted DA During Trial
Changing Gears: Unclaimed Bikes Hitting Auction Block for Charity
Penn State Hockey: Five Things To Know About The Nittany Lions’ Schedule
Penn State Football: APR Trends Upward For First Time In Several Years
Penn State Football: Geography Could Help Awaken The Northeast Giant
Penn State Hockey: Notre Dame Highlights 2015-16 Home Schedule
Penn State Football: Millen Reportedly Set To Join Fox Networks
