Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania is a charitable organization established in 1983, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It connects early-stage technology firms and established manufacturers with essential resources such as funding, talent, and technological support to foster their growth. The organization is part of a state-funded economic development initiative aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region. By facilitating collaborations with universities and other resources, Ben Franklin Technology Partners plays a crucial role in enhancing the innovation ecosystem within northeastern Pennsylvania.

Angelo J. Valletta

President and CEO

Past deals in Manufacturing

B.Braun USA

Debt Financing in 2020
B. Braun Medical Inc. is a medical device manufacturing company based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, specializing in infusion therapy and pain management products. Founded in 1839, the company develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of medical products and services for the healthcare industry. Its offerings include infusion therapy products such as fluid therapy systems, infusion pumps, vascular access systems, and drug delivery systems. Additionally, B. Braun Medical produces clinical nutrition solutions, renal therapy products, wound care items, and various catheter and irrigation systems. The company's products are utilized across multiple medical fields, including oncology, surgery, emergency medicine, and home infusion therapy. B. Braun Medical Inc. operates as a subsidiary of B. Braun Melsungen AG and has additional offices in Allentown, Irvine, and Carrollton, as well as in the Dominican Republic.

American Polarizers

Grant in 2020
American Polarizers manufactures polarized and non-polarized optical products that are used for scientific and medical instrumentation. The company also produces for aerospace, electronics, photographic, and animated display industries, which contribute to important government security efforts.
BRD Noise and Vibration Control specialize in HVAC acoustic design and manufacturing to help architects, MEP, and acoustical consultants, and design/build contractors in the specification of cost-effective approaches to keep mechanical equipment quiet. The firm also troubleshoots and implements remediation treatments for sound problems in existing construction.

Shumaker Industries

Grant in 2020
Shumaker Industries manufactures drums and other steel accessories for concrete mixers. We also specialize in manufacturing heavy-duty replacement central mix drums and blades and offer sale and installation of Durex brand urethane liners. One of our highly innovative products includes the completely automated Load and Go Ready Mix Truck Wash® system.

PSA Systems

Grant in 2020
PSA Systems provides engineering, design, and manufacturing of specialized automated equipment. The company has machining and fabrication capabilities as well as innovative design and engineering resources that allow it to respond to clients’ needs in various industries.

Effort Foundry

Grant in 2020
Effort Foundry, Inc. manufactures and supplies steel castings and cast valve components for pump, valve, nuclear, power generation, and military industries, as well as other general manufacturing applications. It offers pattern constructing and repairing, molding, melting, sand reclamation, blasting, arc-air/cutting/welding, burning, grinding, heat treating, quality assurance, laboratory, and machine shop services. The company was founded in 1973 and is based in Bath, Pennsylvania.

Vastex

Grant in 2020
Vastex International, Inc. designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of screen printing equipment, catering to various needs within the textile printing industry. Founded in 1960 and based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the company offers products such as manual and automatic screen printing presses, infrared conveyor dryers, flash cure units, screen coaters, and prepress equipment. Vastex provides complete packages that include essential tools for starting a screen printing business, making it suitable for both beginners and high-volume commercial printers. The company also focuses on enhancing efficiency by reducing prepress time and increasing registration accuracy. In addition to its equipment, Vastex offers training classes for entry-level, intermediate, and advanced screen printers, ensuring customers are well-equipped to operate their machinery effectively.
US Specialty Formulations manufactures sterile injectable pharmaceuticals used by healthcare providers or in new drug or vaccine clinical trials. Millions of Americans require specialized and custom-manufactured drugs, and the current infrastructure is insufficient to support their therapies. These specially prepared drugs are U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications and are provided globally.

Mystic Mountaintop

Grant in 2020
Mystic Mountaintop Productions is full-service lighting, sound, and video production company that also has three product divisions that design and manufacture sound, lighting, and video products that we use in our production services.

Pleasant Mount Welding

Seed Round in 2017
Pleasant Mount Welding, Inc. is a manufacturer of fabricated miscellaneous metals and structural steel products, primarily serving the water and wastewater treatment sectors, as well as industrial plants, warehouses, schools, and commercial establishments. Established in 1983 and headquartered in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of products including carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel welded handrails, aluminum railing systems, weir plates, bar racks, grating products, pipe supports, ladders, and various custom fabrications. Additionally, Pleasant Mount Welding specializes in the fabrication of platforms and stairs, including single flight stairs, stair towers, and custom curved designs. The company is committed to providing excellent customer service and timely deliveries, which distinguishes it from others in the metal fabrication industry. With a substantial manufacturing footprint, including a 40,000 square-foot facility and an additional 80,000 square-foot facility, Pleasant Mount Welding has experienced significant growth since its inception.
Complete the set-up of a manufacturing facility and begin production of decorative architectural cast-glass panels made with a proprietary process. This process will allow architects and designers to apply custom glass wall panels, windows, and doors that have deep sculptural patterns or imagery cast directly into the surface of the glass. The process will address current product limitations in color and sound transmission with better manufacturing throughput than competitors.

FMI

Seed Round in 2017
FMI, originally established as Fragrance Manufacturing, Inc. in 1992 by Kevin Rhodes, is a marketing and advertising company based in Easton, Pennsylvania. The company began with a focus on contract manufacturing services for the industrial fragrance sector, leveraging Rhodes' prior experience at Procter & Gamble's perfume plant. Over the years, FMI has evolved, expanding its offerings while maintaining a commitment to quality and innovation within the marketing and advertising landscape.

Unicast Company

Seed Round in 2017
Unicast Company, Inc. is a manufacturer of gray and ductile iron castings, producing a wide range of products that include both thin-walled decorative items and heavy multi-cored castings. The company's offerings encompass various components such as diesel engine parts, bearing housings, machine tool castings, pump housings, stove parts, subway car thresholds, gearboxes, and valve bodies, among others. Founded in 1894 and based in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, Unicast operates as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), ensuring 100% employee participation. The company serves a diverse clientele across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, providing more than 3,000 different parts for over 150 customers. Unicast is noted for its high-quality engineering, aggressive pricing, reliable delivery, and exceptional customer service, with a focus on versatility in its foundry operations. Additionally, it offers value-added services such as heat treating, machining, painting, and plating.

Benton Foundry

Seed Round in 2017
Benton Foundry, Inc. specializes in the design, production, and sale of iron castings, including gray, ductile, and austempered ductile iron. Founded in 1958 and located in Benton, Pennsylvania, the company caters to various industries such as pumps and valves, marine, agriculture, railroad, mining, and fluid power, among others. Benton Foundry also converts forgings and weldments into cast parts and offers a range of secondary operations, including assembly, grinding, heat treatment, machining, painting, robotic grinding, shot blasting, and special packaging. The company is recognized for its commitment to high-quality castings and timely delivery, supported by advanced technology and a skilled workforce dedicated to meeting customer needs.

InterMetro Industries

Seed Round in 2016
For over 80 years, their mission at Metro has been to make the world more organized and efficient. They do this by providing the world’s most imaginative space and productivity solutions. Founded in 1929, the company is headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania with a global manufacturing and distribution footprint that enables us to offer over 30,000 products to customers all over the world. Born from the creation of the industry standard for wire shelving, their product breadth has evolved into a vast array of product categories including advanced polymer shelving, medical and special application carts, storage cabinets, heated cabinets, high-density shelving, wall storage system, stainless fabricated products and much more.

East Penn

Seed Round in 2016
Since 1946, East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc. has developed an enviable reputation for world-class quality products.

Bazzini

Seed Round in 2016
Bazzini is a producer of nuts, dried fruits, and confections, focusing on enhancing its manufacturing processes to increase productivity and reduce waste. The company aims to identify cost-saving opportunities and implement process improvements to maintain competitiveness and support ongoing growth. In addition to its production capabilities, Bazzini offers an online trading application that allows customers to conveniently purchase its food products, which are then delivered directly to their homes. This platform includes an online payment portal, facilitating a seamless shopping experience for consumers.

Brentwood Industries

Seed Round in 2016
Brentwood Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of thermoformed plastic products serving various sectors, including consumer, manufacturing, and environmental industries worldwide. Established in 1965 and based in Reading, Pennsylvania, the company offers a diverse range of products such as clarification systems for water treatment, cooling tower components, storm water management solutions, and medical devices. Its product portfolio also includes packaging solutions, transportation components, and construction-related items. Brentwood has evolved from a small thermoforming facility into a vertically integrated corporation, showcasing engineering expertise and a commitment to innovation. The company emphasizes customer service and collaboration, working closely with clients throughout the design, engineering, and manufacturing processes to deliver high-quality, customized solutions tailored to specific needs.

Penn-Troy

Seed Round in 2016
Since 1959, Penn-Troy Manufacturing, Inc. has been engineering and producing our own products from our facility in Troy, PA. The company was born out of Troy Engine and Machine Company, an engine manufacturer with roots dating back to the 1870s. We still occupy that same building today, but our services have expanded. They now produce standard and custom valves and other products for the water/wastewater and marine industry.

4th Generation Resins

Seed Round in 2016
4th Generation Resins specializes in the development of proprietary specialty ion exchange resins designed for the purification and production of pharmaceuticals, biotech products, and other specialized materials. The company focuses on conducting market studies to enhance its offerings and is innovating advanced manufacturing processes that adapt proven techniques. This approach aims to produce highly consistent and effective resins more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional methods. Through this commitment to innovation, 4th Generation Resins positions itself as a key player in the specialty resin market, catering to the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

US Specialty Formulations

Seed Round in 2015
US Specialty Formulations manufactures sterile injectable pharmaceuticals used by healthcare providers or in new drug or vaccine clinical trials. Millions of Americans require specialized and custom-manufactured drugs, and the current infrastructure is insufficient to support their therapies. These specially prepared drugs are U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications and are provided globally.

US Specialty Formulations

Seed Round in 2014
US Specialty Formulations manufactures sterile injectable pharmaceuticals used by healthcare providers or in new drug or vaccine clinical trials. Millions of Americans require specialized and custom-manufactured drugs, and the current infrastructure is insufficient to support their therapies. These specially prepared drugs are U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications and are provided globally.

Keystone Automation

Seed Round in 2008
Keystone Automation, Inc. specializes in designing and fabricating automated machinery for various manufacturing industries. Founded in 1999 by Mike Duffy, the company initially focused on PLC programming and electrical wiring services before expanding into turnkey machinery solutions. Its offerings include machinery design and fabrication, electrical programming, machining, embedded systems design, and technical support. Keystone's product line features specialized equipment such as hot fill machines for bottling, book stackers for printing, and continuous crimpers for food production. The company also distributes a range of components, including sensors, transformers, and wireless control devices. Keystone Automation serves diverse sectors, including packaging, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and material handling, primarily in the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. The company operates from a 21,000 square foot facility in Duryea, Pennsylvania.

Keystone Automation

Seed Round in 2007
Keystone Automation, Inc. specializes in designing and fabricating automated machinery for various manufacturing industries. Founded in 1999 by Mike Duffy, the company initially focused on PLC programming and electrical wiring services before expanding into turnkey machinery solutions. Its offerings include machinery design and fabrication, electrical programming, machining, embedded systems design, and technical support. Keystone's product line features specialized equipment such as hot fill machines for bottling, book stackers for printing, and continuous crimpers for food production. The company also distributes a range of components, including sensors, transformers, and wireless control devices. Keystone Automation serves diverse sectors, including packaging, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and material handling, primarily in the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. The company operates from a 21,000 square foot facility in Duryea, Pennsylvania.
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