Berry executives revealed little about planned cuts in a conference call but said that all business units are "participating in this opportunity to reduce our cost structure."

Part of the Swiss company SFS Group, the Sharon Township factory plans to undertake an expansion that will add 45 jobs and another $2.5 million in additional annual payroll. The plant makes parts used in safety components and brakes for cars.

A month-long strike at a nylon feedstocks plant operated by AdvanSix Inc. in Hopewell, Va., will end May 10.

"Be courageous, take chances,"  says Linda Muroski president of Trelleborg Global Healthcare and Medical. "I've been in a whole host of different roles because I have not been afraid to learn. To make an impact, you can have depth of knowledge or breadth of experience."