The year 2019 was a great year for Jason Gabler
This was the year that Gabler went from the minority owner to the majority owner by buying out his thenpartner. Gabler started at Advantage Metal Powders Incorporated in Ridgway in 2009 as a minority owner of the company until 2019. Once he bought out his partner, he became the sole owner through to today.
“I always knew that someday I wanted to own my own business,” Gabler said.
When he graduated from high school, he looked into owning his own junkyard since liked to work with his hands. However, the rules about operating junkyards made it almost impossible for him to own one. When he learned this, he looked into other jobs that he might be interested in.
He found out about powdered metals and that it was a not as well-known career. Gabler went to college and graduated with an associates degree in Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering.
Using this degree, he started the process of becoming an owner of a powdered metal company. He built his resume so that he had the skills he needed to be a successful business owner.
When COVID-19 hit in March of 2020, Gabler’s business was deemed an essential one and continued to operate. The business supplies parts for all types of industries and was necessary during the pandemic. However
despite COVID-19, Gabler continued to help in as many places in the industry that he could.
“I try to help the powdered metal industry thrive,” Gabler said.
Gabler is an instructor for the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College. He is a member of the Communication Education Center (CEC), Dutch manufacturing, and many others.
He also takes part in an annual Pennsylvania video contest called, What’s so cool about manufacturing? He participates in as many educational classes as he can in an attempt to get the word out about this industry since it is a fairly small one.
“I try my best to promote the powdered metal industry as it can offer many things to people,” Gabler said.
The industry can also offer other jobs that not many people may know are connected to the industry, such as traveling salesman, shipping coordinator, or electrician.
The part of this industry that Gabler favors is the opportunity to meet new people.
“I made many friends with all different kinds of people,” Gabler said.