Business

October 28, 2010

Natural gas industry has engineering firm hiring

Marcellus Shale exploring, drilling bring work to Borton-Lawson, others.

By Jerry Lynott jlynott@timesleader.com
Business Writer
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PLAINS TWP. – The burgeoning natural gas industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a focus on efficiency are fueling a hiring spurt in an otherwise tough economy for one local engineering firm.

Borton-Lawson has been advertising for seven engineering, design and surveyor positions.

Chris Borton, company president, said the marketplace is unlike anything he’s seen in the 22 years since he and Tom Lawson teamed up

“It’s a tough economy. There are still things that are going on out there,” said Borton on Tuesday.

The influx of companies exploring and drilling in the Marcellus Shale region has created work for Borton-Lawson and others.

It’s opened a branch office in the Pittsburgh area.

“That’s the heart of the gas and oil industry” in the region, said Borton.

Lawson added that Borton-Lawson is working with five natural gas companies in the region and is opening a satellite office in Towanda.

Needed are experienced mechanical process, electrical, structural, mechanical, bridge and structures engineers, as well as an automation specialist and survey crew chief.

Last year Borton-Lawson laid off some of its survey crew workers as companies cut back on land development.

Some have been hired back, said Lawson, but not all of them.

Borton-Lawson has been looking for business opportunities and has found work in Colorado and Massachusetts.

“The economy is such that companies are realizing that proper planning and good engineering pays off in the long run,” said Borton.

In its architectural services, the company has picked up business in the space planning area.

Instead of putting an addition on, clients are making their existing space more efficient.

“You have to look for what your clients need,” Borton said.

Jerry Lynott, a Times Leader staff writer, can be contacted at 570 829-7237.

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