Measurement, in one form or another, has been a necessary part of societies for thousands of years.

The Great Pyramid of Giza was built around 2,600 B.C. using a precise standard of measurement called the Egyptian Royal Cubit. Scientists say that measurement is why the pyramid has perfect right angles.

So what does any of that have to do with a company tucked off Bushkill Street in Tatamy?

While Gerhart Systems and Controls Corp. has nothing to do with the pyramid, it has everything to do with precise measurement.

Gerhart designs, builds, installs and maintains equipment used in the production of everything from beer, chocolate bars and concrete to steel mills, ceiling tiles and scrap-metal plants, said Nelson May, Gerhart’s vice president of operations.

“Everything you build has to be measured. We give you the ability to measure, and that’s how you make the product,” said May, 43.

The private company, with 2024 revenues topping $24 million, came to the Lehigh Valley in 2006 and moved into the former Northampton County Farm Bureau Co-op building. As much of the circa-1934 structure as possible was retained during renovations, including the wooden-truss ceiling framework and wooden strip flooring.

Launched in 1929 by Max Gerhart in South River, New Jersey, as Gerhart and Sons Scale Co., it changed names in 1964 to Gerhart Scale Corp. In 1983, Anthony Cattell bought the company, and ownership remains with the Cattell family today.

Gerhart CEO Stuart Cattell said, “In the last 15, 20 years the company has grown significantly,” and said a part of that growth is attributed to employing the right people. The company services everything it produces and has technicians available 24/7 in an area stretching from Boston to Baltimore. It operates plants in three other locations: Painted Post, New York, and South Amboy and Pennsauken, New Jersey.

Cattell said hiring is selective, with an extensive screening process because, “we invest in the people, give them the tools they need to be successful.”

An apprentice who has no experience but shows some ability could start at $20-$25 per hour, he said.

“But what we do requires a lot of training. So you’ve got to be committed … we have some field technicians that are [paid] in the six figures,” he said.

“The only way to get good at something is being told no,” Cattell said. “There’s a lot of failing there. There is no secret recipe … you learn what not to do and you’re willing to try new things. … You make mistakes, you correct it and you keep moving on until you get it right.”

The elements of the environment Cattell described clearly resonate with workers — the company made its first appearance on the Morning Call’s Top Workplaces survey this year, placing 13th among small companies with 124 or fewer employees. In the survey, a cross section of employees described their work life as “satisfying,” “challenging” and “fulfilling.”

Jenn Conley, company service specialist, praised the atmosphere. “Here, you’re not a number. They care about their employees and really make them into professionals.”

Conley, 47, has worked for Gerhart for 19 years. When asked to compare this job to others, she said, “You’re absolutely respected here … they make you feel like part of the team.”

“This place is more or less your family … when you have a situation like a child being sick, I can take care of it without any repercussions,” she said. “I will retire from here.”

Carrie Burton, 38, is a project manager who’s worked for the company for four and a half years.

If there are problems, she said, “it’s an open door policy. There are plenty of avenues to get a solution. … You can turn to any member of management.”

Gerhart has a vigorous training program. Burton, who started as a receptionist, said hers included in-house training, courses at Northampton Community College and others conducted by the American Management Association.

“It’s just a great team and you absolutely feel like you’re part of the family. … You just don’t get that anywhere else,” she said.

For Lukas Connolly, a 22-year-old mechanical engineer, the job vaporized a childhood fear.

“My fear growing up was that I didn’t want a job doing the same thing every day,” he said.

Connolly, who started as an intern, doesn’t need to worry about that now: “I have a lot of creative freedom … my role is problem-solving and every day is unique,” he said.

Charles Malinchak is a freelance writer.

Gerhart Systems and Controls Corp.

Founded: 1929

Ownership: Private

Sector: Industrial Process Solutions and Services

Lehigh Valley employees: 48

Website: gerhart.com