GREENVILLE, Pa.—Students in Thiel College’s Fall 2025 Operations Management course presented an in-depth operational plan to Imperial Systems Inc. on Friday, Dec. 5, providing analysis and recommendations to support the company’s continued growth and strategic decision-making.
Imperial Systems, a leading manufacturer of industrial air-filtration and dust-collection equipment, is headquartered in Mercer, Pa., with an office in The Colony, Texas. The company has experienced significant expansion in recent years, growing its workforce from 43 to 145 employees, according to statistics from the state of Pennsylvania and earning recognition as a “major key player” in the industrial dust-collection sector by Global Markets Insights.
Working with ISI Controller Lee Totten ’14 and Chief Operating Officer Chalmer Ritzert, students analyzed several major operational questions affecting the company’s next phase of development. Central topics included:
The project aligned closely with ISI’s ongoing expansion efforts. On Oct. 15, 2025, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the company’s nearly $8 million investment to expand its Mercer County manufacturing footprint, a project expected to create at least 47 new full-time jobs while retaining ISI’s current workforce of 145 employees. As part of this expansion, ISI acquired a new facility at 1264 Fredonia Road in Hadley, complementing existing locations in Williamstown and Mercer. The Hadley site will grow by an additional 17,000 square feet to support steel coil processing and new product lines.
The Thiel student teams mirrored a professional consulting model, with five groups reporting to overall project managers Laura Brumbaugh ’26 and Kendall McLaughlin ’27.
Team leads and members included:
The semester-long project served as an applied learning experience in which students used operational management principles to address challenges faced by a fast-growing regional manufacturer. Their analysis is expected to support ISI leadership as they implement new operational strategies and continue expanding their capabilities in Mercer County.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.