Concise reports on what’s happening around the county:

AMETEK Announces Mixed but Generally Positive Q3 Results

AMETEK, Inc. released its third quarter financial results on Tuesday for the period ended September 30.

While sales were down 3 percent at $1 billion compared to the same quarter last year, operating income increased 3 percent to $237.6 million, and the company’s operating margin saw a solid 130 basis point rise to 23.8 percent. Compared to the third quarter of last year, diluted earnings per share also grew 5 percent to a record $0.65 per diluted share.

“I am very pleased with AMETEK’s solid performance in the third quarter.” said Frank S. Hermance, AMETEK’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Although the global economic environment remains challenging, we continue to deliver strong improvements in our operating margins and diluted earnings per share through the execution of our Four Growth Strategies,”

3SI Security Systems Names New CEO

3SI Security Systems, a part of Stirling Square Capital Partners, welcomed Todd Leggett as the new CEO when he took the reins for the global organization in late September.

Leggett, a graduate of Penn State, brings with him a comprehensive knowledge of the securities industry. He previously managed both sales and operations with another integrated security solutions provider in both New York and Chicago, and more recently was an advisor and board member under contract to the Carlyle Group on a major acquisition within the Korean security space.

“Todd’s diverse perspectives and experiences will enable him to lead 3SI to capitalize on existing successes while seeking new opportunities in other markets and geographical locations,” said non-executive chairman of 3SI, Simon Jones. “His leadership experience, strategic clarity and proven ability to drive innovation and growth have positioned him perfectly for the role of CEO at 3SI.”

The “50 by 50” Initiative Reaches a Conservation Milestone

On Tuesday, 40 staffers from the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art got up early to travel to Potts Meadow, located between the Ring Road and the museum complex, with an important mission, to plant 600 native hardwood trees.

The excursion was part of the “50 by 50” initiative, which aims to add 50,000 trees to the Brandywine Watershed by 2017 when the conservancy will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The trip was a resounding success and resulted in the 35,000th tree planted, a special milestone that made the occasion all the more festive. The project, which is partially state funded through its grant program, is particularly important to area residents.

“Once established, these trees will contribute to the health of this watershed, which provides drinking water to more than 500,000 people in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware,” said Sherri-Evans Stanton, director of the Brandywine Conservancy.

Over 1,000 Books Collected for the McNeil Children’s Library

More than 1,000 books were collected for the McNeil Children’s Library at the Brandywine Center in Coatesville during book drives hosted by fourteen businesses and organizations

Thanks to, among others, the generosity of Coatesville Rotary Club, Coatesville Savings Bank, Fox Rothschild, Fulton Bank, and Wells Fargo Advisors, children visiting the Brandywine Center in need of health and dental care or behavioral services from ChesPenn Health Services, now get the opportunity to take home a book to treasure for years to come.

The demand is so great that the Brandywine Health Foundation is encouraging people to donate such books to help the library re-stock its shelves. If your company, organization or neighborhood are interested in hosting a book drive, please contact Stephanie Vargas, or make a donation to the library by clicking here.

State Representatives and the YMCA Participate in the ‘Lights on After School’ Initiative

State representatives Becky Corbin, John Lawrence and Harry Lewis joined with the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, as well as local families, to take part in the Lights on After School initiative celebrated across the nation.

‘Lights on After school’ is the only nationwide event which celebrates after school programs and emphasizes their importance in the lives of children, families and communities. The YMCA after school programs help working parents by keeping their children safe, addressing problem behavior, and inspiring learning while teaching youth tolerance and acceptance.

“These Y after school programs are so important for parents and kids,” said Lewis. “I see what the Y does for families, the importance of not only providing a safe haven for kids to be while parents work, but it offers our kids the opportunity to get involved in different activities, to be involved with the Y and learn in these early formative years.”