Foundational to shipping and receiving, trucking and distribution, commerce and trade, the wooden pallet and skid business is brisk and strong demand for these handling workhorses is expected to continue.

The company hired Frank Newman as vice president of operations. Newman will manage Tower’s production, procurement and logistics.

Victaulic, the Easton-based manufacturer of pipe fittings, has appointed Rick Bucher CEO.

The Manufacturers Resource Center is launching its eighth “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” contest in the Lehigh Valley. And with eight years of student video entries of the workings of area manufacturers saved up it is launching a comprehensive library of those student videos.

Olympus Corp. will be expanding its respiratory portfolio with the acquisition of Veran Medical Technologies Inc. of St. Louis for around $340 million.

An Allentown pharmaceutical manufacturing company, U.S. Specialty Formulations, is expanding again to continue its work developing a COVID-19 vaccine in partnership with VaxForm of Bethlehem.

Air Products of Trexlertown has named Brian Galovich as its new senior vice president and chief information officer.

The second annual StartUp Lehigh Valley event, which was held virtually this year on Nov. 18, brought together local business leaders, angel investors, industry experts, merchants, higher education representatives, students, community members and entrepreneurs.

Proceeds from the sale of the collectible diecast truck model will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation, which builds comfort houses near military and Veterans Administration hospitals where military and veteran’s families can stay for free while a loved one is in the hospital.

The virtual event, hosted by Hobbs and Jim Gerlach, president and CEO of GRCA, was attended by manufacturers, members of the business community, educators and others to discuss challenges and opportunities confronting the manufacturing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.