Want a glimpse into the future of advanced industry? Take a look at Pillar Innovations in Garrett County.
Headquartered in a cutting-edge facility in the Northern Garrett Industrial Park, Pillar has grown from a specialized division of services and engineering of Beitzel Corporation to become a global leader in industrial technology and automation.
Together, Pillar and Beitzel occupy more than 260,000 square-feet of space in Grantsville and employ roughly 500 people in Maryland with a heavy focus on engineers, technicians, programmers, project managers and skilled trades—making them one of the region’s largest and most stable private employers and also a 100% employee-owned company.
In a world where old industry borders are falling, Pillar is at the forefront. Their work spans automation, industrial IT systems and advanced controls across a variety of industries, including automotive and battery manufacturing, food and beverage production and environmental infrastructure for data centers.
“Customers approach us with difficult challenges and our team transforms their needs into innovative custom machinery used worldwide,” said Pillar and Beitzel Chief Executive Officer Shawn Bender.
The company’s successful diversification across a wide range of forward-facing tech industries highlights the scale and sophistication of its engineering and production capabilities. That success is rooted in Western Maryland. Just as old notions of industry barriers are tumbling down, so is the idea that innovation and advanced capacity are limited to urban centers. Western Maryland has the workforce, infrastructure and industrial capacity needed to support complex, globally competitive operations.
“Pillar innovations is a powerful example of what the future of advanced industry looks like in Garrett County,” said Kim Durst, business development manager in Garrett County. “Their growth demonstrates that world-class engineering, automation, and industrial technology can thrive here, supported by a skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, and a strong manufacturing legacy. Pillar’s success reinforces that Western Maryland is not just keeping pace with global industry, it’s leading it.”
While the company continues growing its portfolio of services, it looks to the surrounding region for innovative talent. As a partner in the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program, Beitzel and Pillar operate four registered apprenticeship programs: three are delivered in-house, while one electrical program partners with Garrett College. The company says it has had a positive experience with the program and it is “an excellent way” to bring in new workers.
“Our new facility supports the growth of our fabrication, machining, and custom machine-building business. With our former facilities at capacity, our 200 Corporate Drive site is ready for immediate and future expansion—bringing with it increased job opportunities in Garrett County,” said Bender.
With support from programs at the Maryland Department of Commerce, as well as the Senator George C. Edwards Fund, the company was able to pursue growth opportunities that may have been otherwise unattainable. Without them and the local government’s help, Bender says, the company would likely be a much smaller business.
“The funding was critical in our ability to secure our new facility and invest in people and equipment,” said Bender. “As the largest investment in our 51-year history, [the fund] gave us the confidence to move forward post-COVID. The resulting job growth and efficiency gains show we made the right decision.”
Article and photo courtesy of the Maryland Department of Commerce.
