Community-Building Is at the Heart of a Metal Company's Success
Main photo: Production Manager Ann Brown and Peters' Heat Treating President and owner Andy Wilkosz
When people think of manufacturing, the word "community" might not immediately jump to mind. But Andy and Diana Wilkosz, co-owners of Peters’ Heat Treating, see community at the very heart of everything they do.
“It’s the little things,” says Diana, the company’s vice president of administration and chief marketing officer. “Sponsoring a team member’s kid’s basketball team or handing down kids’ golf clubs to a coworker — these are the moments that make us feel like family.”
The second-generation family-owned company, which has 85 employees and is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania (“Tool City”), provides thermal process and surface treating solutions for the aerospace and defense industries.
Sometimes, building community means collaborating with other businesses in Meadville. Other times, it’s going the extra mile to support employees, or connecting with schools and industry organizations.
The Wilkoszes intentionally do all of these things. Peters’ supports student development and STEAM education. Andy co-founded a scholarship fund through the Metal Treating Institute. Diana and Andy serve on regional industry boards and committees and look for suppliers in their own community whenever possible. A collaboration with local business Phoenix Laser Solutions led Peters’ and Phoenix to form a new operation, Laser Hard, that specializes in laser welding.
Leadership, says Andy, is about creating space for connection. “It’s about listening, patience, and letting others shine. The best results come when you allow your team to grow — and when you’re willing to grow alongside them.”
Four Tiny Furnaces and a Dog
Founded in 1979 by Diana’s parents, Doug and Jackie Peters, Peters’ Heat Treating began as a small operation aimed at supporting the bustling tool and die industry in Meadville.
“It started with four tiny furnaces, a man and his dog, all supported by Jackie’s elementary-school-teacher wages,” Diana recalls. “Doug even purchased lessons from the recently retired head of heat treating at Talon, the first manufacturer of zippers, just to learn the trade.” The dog was the first “employee”—providing steadfast moral support on site.
In 2021, Andy and Diana purchased the business from Diana’s parents. Their goal was to not only grow the business but create new jobs in the community and awareness of how cool manufacturing is for future generations.
Over the past few years, Andy and Diana have seen team members step into new challenges: leading cross-functional initiatives, mentoring peers and driving innovative solutions. Growth like this often requires slowing down — making time to mentor, coach and let others build confidence.
There Is No “I” in Collaborate
Openness and willingness to collaborate extends to other manufacturers in the community as well. When a request falls outside their core capabilities, Andy or Diane or a team member will pick up the phone, tap into their network and help the customer find the right solution. This has earned them a reputation as a trusted, easy-to-work-with partner. They took collaboration to a new level with the Phoenix partnership, resulting in two Laser Hard locations—one in Meadville and the other in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“We spent nearly a year running samples, conducting lab work, and fine-tuning our processes,” Andy recalls. “It was a true partnership — based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to innovation.”
Thanks to the collaboration, Peters become one of the first commercial heat treaters to offer a laser production system targeting hardening and tempering of metal services. “We were able to overcome early barriers thanks to the strength of both teams,” he says.
What struck me most during our conversation was how often the word community came up — even in the context of innovation.
“This experience shaped how we think about collaboration,” Andy says. “The right partnership can accelerate progress, open new markets, and strengthen our community. We’re always open to working with people who share our values — because when we grow together, everyone wins.”
The growth has been significant. “We’ve grown 2.5 times in the last 10 years,” Andy shares. “That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of trust, teamwork, and doing things the right way. We’re proud of our journey — and excited for what’s ahead.”
