Hiring Fair Planned as Tech Company Looks to Add 50 Workers

By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
November 15, 2018
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

TriWire Engineering Solutions has relocated its regional headquarters from Westmoreland County to this building on Peebles Lane in McKeesport's Third Ward. (Photo special to Tube City Almanac)

A technology company has relocated its regional headquarters to McKeesport's Third Ward and is looking to add 50 employees.

TriWire Engineering Solutions --- a Massachusetts-based company that installs fiber-optic cable, telephone and networking cable and copper wiring for major utilities such as Comcast --- this month moved into a building on Peebles Lane, just off of Market Street.

The company is holding a hiring fair between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday.

Applicants should have a valid Pennsylvania driver's license and a social security card, said Barry R. Jennings Sr., a TriWire vice president.

"Anyone who comes in, we'll interview," Jennings said. Prior experience in construction or electronics is helpful, he said, "but what I really want is someone who wants to show up for work --- and work."

The company offers paid training, a company vehicle for full-time employees and fringe benefits including a 401(k) retirement plan, Jennings said.

In addition, TriWire is employee-owned, which means there is a profit-sharing program.

"This is another great opportunity to bring good-paying jobs to the people of McKeesport and surrounding communities," McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko said. "From the CEO down to the hourly employees, TriWire seems to have a sense of community within its corporation. I believe that's a great fit for the city of McKeesport."

Founded in 1999, the company now has more than 1,000 employees working at more than 20 locations in 10 states from New England to Tennessee.

Besides installing telephone wires, computer networking and TV cable, TriWire also installs security systems and antenna wires at both residential and commercial projects, and does work in both existing buildings and new construction.

TriWire's regional headquarters was located in Export, Westmoreland County, but Jennings said the company wanted to get closer to Pittsburgh.

McKeesport fit that bill, he said.

"It's a more centralized location for us," Jennings said. "When we talked to the mayor and everyone else, and they told us about some of the other things going on around the city, it seemed like an up-and-coming area, from what we understand."

TriWire has already renovated the Peebles Lane building, which was purchased in August by local businessman Jon Stark, who also owns Lexmar USA and Legion Arms on Market Street.

Stark is also planning to develop a long-vacant lot at the corner of Market Street and Fifth Avenue where the Memorial Theater, Kadar's Men's Store and other businesses stood until they were destroyed by fire in 1976.

"The city has been working tirelessly with Mr. Stark on multiple properties for business development," said A.J. Tedesco, McKeesport community development director. "We thank him for his shared vision and confidence in the city's rebirth."

About 25 to 30 employees are currently working out of the Peebles Lane location, but there is room to expand, if necessary, Jennings said.

TriWire needs to hire additional employees because it's planning to expand its underground construction division at the McKeesport location, he said.

For more information, call (724) 519-2227.

Jason Togyer is volunteer executive director of Tube City Community Media Inc. and editor of Tube City Almanac. He may be reached at tubecitytiger@gmail.com.

Originally published November 15, 2018.

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