Turner Bellows, Inc.

About Turner Bellows: Manufacturer of food industry products for government and private industry.

Rank on Top 100: 19

Top Executive: Ms. Amanda Pontarella     

Employees: 50

Website: www.turnerbellows.com

We asked Amanda Pontarella, president, to talk about her business

Question: What does your company do?
Pontarella: Turner Bellows was originally established as a manufacturer of components for the photographic equipment industry.  We are still a world leader in supplying photographic bellows; however, we have diversified into many other areas. We are now focused as a component manufacturing company specializing in non-metallic die cutting, packaging, as well as assembly and fabrication of mechanical and electro-mechanical components.          

Question: What does it mean to your business to be on the on the Top 100?
Pontarella: Being a member of the Rochester Business Alliance Top 100 in many ways has meant a lot to Turner Bellows.  As part of the Turner Bellows team, every employee takes great pride in the achievement.  When the news broke to our existing client base our phone rang off the hook with congratulatory phone calls.  As the President, it is something that I always mention when talking about Turner Bellows.  I believe that when a prospect hears that Turner Bellows is No. 19 on the Top 100 list they become more receptive in doing business with us.  It validates our commitment to always exceed customer's standards for quality, services  and delivery.

Question: How is your customer base changing?
Pontarella: Diversification is very important to us. Back when my grandfather owned Turner Bellows the business was about 90 percent automotive. In later years, we realized how vulnerable that made us. We began to vigorously pursue new industries in order to put ourselves in a better position and to secure the future of Turner Bellows and its employees. Today the company is more diverse than ever. Our customers include major international corporations in the automotive, government, computer, food handling, and construction industries.