If you were to ask Sean McCormack, co-owner of EcoIndustrial and Northeast Penn Supplies, why his companies don’t yet have a website or social media presence, he will probably tell you that those modern methods just aren’t his style. “We market ourselves the old-fashioned way—we go out and knock on doors,” he said, adding that the companies will be online by year’s end. “Social media and websites are great, but there is nothing like being in front of a person and explaining how you can help their business grow.”
McCormack and co-owner Dan Frascella founded EcoIndustrial in 2011. Originally housed in the Scranton Enterprise Center, EcoIndustrial distributes both eco-friendly and standard industrial packaging supplies to manufacturing plants, distribution centers and distributors throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and the Southern and Midwestern United States.
When McCormack and Frascella heard about opportunities at TekRidge, they moved EcoIndustrial there and opened another business, Northeast Penn Supplies, in 2013. Northeast Penn Supplies services independent grocers and delis in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey with food supplies.
Both companies are similar in that they provide a vendor-managed inventory program to help their clients save time and money and that they are entirely focused on each client’s individual needs.
“Our business is all relationship driven—otherwise, our customers can get their supplies from anyone,” McCormack said. “We are here; we are local people providing local jobs. Our workers shop in the same stores we service. It all goes hand-in-hand—if your customers trust that you’re going to do the right thing for them and give them the highest quality at the best price and that you protect their price points, they value that.”
Adding to those relationship-based benefits is the fact that EcoIndustrial and Northeast Penn Supplies are surrounded by other incubator clients who are more than willing to help each other become successful.
“Being here provides us with a plethora of ideas,” McCormack said. “There are a lot of gifted people at TekRidge and we all share ideas every day. Everyone does something different. It is amazing and unusual that there’s no overlap between the businesses. Everyone has their own little niche.”
McCormack and Frascella also credit the Chamber with both businesses’ success.
“The Chamber never steered us wrong,” McCormack said. “We are proud members and we believe that for us to continue to grow our business, we have to support the same people who got us started and that’s the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is here to promote the area and create jobs—we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”
For more information on the Chamber’s incubator program, contact incubator program manager Aaron Whitney at (570) 3
