Lehigh Valley’s Top Privately Held Companies thrive on diversity and quality of life

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The Lehigh Valley has no shortage of successful companies. Lehigh Valley Business’ annual list of the Top Privately Held Companies in the Lehigh Valley shows a broad range of business that are supporting the local economy, hiring local people and getting the region’s name out into the world. 

Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation said there are many factors that go into making the region a hot bed for top companies. 

The Lehigh Valley is within a one day driving distance from about one third of the U.S. population, making it an ideal spot for companies to locate. 

That also helps successful companies grow. 

Many companies headquartered in the region, such as Ciocca Automotive of Allentown, have significantly grown in recent years. 

Ciocca now boasts 17 dealerships and 24 automotive brands in a territory that spans from Central Pennsylvania to Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

The quality of the companies doing business in the Lehigh Valley is also key to fostering an environment where all companies can thrive. 

And others are taking notice. 

Among those topping the list are companies like Penske Transportation Solutions and East Penn Manufacturing, both of which were recently recognized nationally for the work that they do. 

Penske Logistics was the recipient of a 2025 Manufacturing Innovation Award from Toyota North America. The award was handed out at Toyota’s supplier conference, in recognition of Penske’s dedicated contract carriage solutions. 

East Penn Manufacturing Co. was recently ranked as one of America’s Best Employers for Women in 2025 by Forbes and Statista. It’s the second time the company has been named to the list. 

Companies like Alvin H. Butz Inc. and Boyle Construction Inc. are helping to build the future across the region with hundreds of millions of dollars in new construction projects that they are managing. 

Companies like One Valley Realty help the region grow and thrive by providing services from residential real estate to commercial brokerage and property management. 

Companies like Interior Workplace Solutions help furnish those offices people work in and companies like Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management help take those salaries people earn and build wealth for their families. 

Cunningham said diversity of industry is part of what makes the region successful economically. 

While the Lehigh Valley was once thought of as a “steel town” industries in the region now range from manufacturing and logistics, to insurance, health care and professional services, meaning there’s a career for everyone. 

Population growth in the region has also helped these top companies succeed. 

He noted that population growth has placed both Lehigh and Northampton counties in the top 8% of all counties in the U.S. 

According to the LVEDC, the region’s population grew by more than 21,000 since 2020, due mostly to people moving here from other parts of the country and from around the world. 

“A lot of that happens because it’s a good place to live,” Cunningham said. “So much of America looks the same, cookie cutter, we offer something that’s unique and genuine.” 

Cunningham said analysis of U.S. Census data also shows that much of that growth is with young adults, which he called a desired demographic for employers. 

“Employers stay and grow or locate where there is a population with a diverse range of skills and talent,” said Cunningham. “The growing and talented population, particularly that of young people, is the secret sauce of the economic growth in the Lehigh Valley. It’s impossible to have one without the other.”