Our second CEO Conversation featured Tina Lake of Lake Tool, Inc.. Find a sampling of Tina and Susan’s conversation below, all of which can be viewed at venangochamber.org/ceo-conversations.

You’ve been doing business in Venango County for 19 years. Can you tell us what Lake Tool does?
We receive blueprints and using the materials listed in the print, machine the items to our customers specifications. We serve a variety of types of customers from niche markets to larger industries.

Can your share how your company has grown?
We took big risks in growing the business, moving into FICDA and buying our current building in Reno. We have continued to reinvest in equipment and we find the community and lenders to be very supportive, allowing us to expand.

What are some of the challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?
As our customers have gone through changes, mergers and buyouts, we are affected by things that are beyond our control. We continually find new customers. Fortunately, when engineers we have worked with move, they find us again.

Is there opportunity for women in manufacturing?
Absolutely! It has taken a while for me to be listened to by engineers, but they take me seriously now.

What do you like most about doing business here?
The area is beautiful and our customers and vendors love visiting us. We love hiring people we know and trust.

Listen to the entire interview at the link listed above and stay tuned for next month’s conversation with Jason Woolcock of Witherup Fabrication & Erection.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s July 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.