Area businesses get financial boost
Ben Franklin Technology Partners to invest $251,000 in eight area businesses.
The Ben Franklin Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania has announced it will invest in eight businesses across the region — seven manufacturers and one early stage, technology-based firm.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania invests in and links companies with experts, universities, follow-on funding and other resources to help them prosper through innovation, according to a press release, resulting in the creation and retention of “highly paid, sustainable jobs.”
The manufacturers selected in the most recent round of economic development investment are “applying new technology to help them succeed globally by producing better, at a lower cost, and/or faster,” the release states. Ben Franklin provides 1:1 matching funding to established manufacturers for work with a college or university partner on technology-based innovation.
Gateway Ticketing Systems, Colebrookdale Township, Berks County will receive a $25,000 Ben Franklin Investment to identify and implement best practices. Gateway is a producer of highspeed, access control, admission control and ticketing software. The company’s software is used internationally at zoos, water parks, museums, amusement parks, aquariums, ferries and other attractions. The work will help Gateway streamline business processes, innovate and continue to grow, according to the release. University Partner: Lehigh University’s Enterprise Systems Center.
Sealstrip Corp., Douglass Township, Montgomery County will receive a $20,000 Ben Franklin investment for supply chain research. Sealstrip designs and manufactures easy-open and easy-reseal systems for flexible packaging, pressure-sensitive tapes, and related products. Complete implementation of new features in Sealstrip’s shop floor
Since beginning operations in 1983, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania has helped to create 18,536 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and to retain 37,328 existing jobs.
management system that will continue to increase its Enterprise Resource Planning system efficiencies and enhance customer service. University Partner: Lehigh University’s Center for Supply Chain Research.
American Polarizers Inc., Reading, Berks County will receive a $24,800 Ben Franklin investment to complete the development of a process for vacuum lamination of circularly polarized films. This will allow American Polarizers to expand product offerings, attract new customers and improve production processes for current products. American Polarizers manufactures polarized and non-polarized optical products, primarily for the aerospace, electronics, photographic, animated display, consumer and scientific instrumentation industries. University Partner: The Emerging Technology Applications Center at Northampton Community College.
carbonLITE, Reading, Berks County will develop and document standardized work processes in a new plastic resin manufacturing facility in Reading to optimize efficiency, equipment utilization, and product quality. CarbonLITE converts used plastic bottles into resin pellets for bottling companies to use in producing new bottles. University Partner: Lehigh University’s Center for Supply Chain Research Other manufacturers designated to receive Ben Franklin investment include:
Polytek Development Corp., Easton, Northampton County, $7,000; Shumaker Industries, Northumberland, Northumberland County, $25,000; and Vastex International, Inc., Bethlehem, Northampton County, $25,000.
In addition, Gilson Snow Inc., Winfield, Snyder County, an early-stage company and manufacturer of snowboards and skis, will receive a Ben Franklin investment of $100,000 to enhance production capabilities and expand marketing efforts.
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania is part of a four-center economic development initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.
Since beginning operations in 1983, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania has helped to create 18,536 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and to retain 37,328 existing jobs, to start 520 new companies, and to develop 1,935 new products and processes, according to information in the release.