McSherrystown Company Applauded for “Innovation and Vision”
SAY Plastics, McSherrystown, Adams County
GETTYSBURG, PA (January 17, 2017) – Adams County’s SAY Plastics is one of eleven Pennsylvania companies receiving funding and services from Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP), a state initiative that supports emerging tech-based companies and existing manufacturers seeking diversification in innovating ways.
SAY Plastics will receive $125,000 to pursue a new market—the transportation industry—and carve out a new niche by re-engineering replacement parts for railcars, trucks, and buses. Traditionally, transportation parts have been composed of metal and fiberglass materials; SAY Plastics is utilizing a new approach—their customized SAYtooling system—to design thermoformed, cost-effective, plastic components.
Ben Franklin’s funding came about as a result of a referral by Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), Gettysburg. Previously, ACEDC financed two Small Business First loans to SAY Plastics.
“We salute SAY Plastics for their innovation and vision,” said ACEDC President Robin Fitzpatrick. “SAY Plastics is at the forefront of Adams County’s growing tech and plastics industry, taking advantage of our strategic location along the Mason Dixon Line with easy access to major U.S. markets, as well as our dedicated workforce, and excellent quality of life.”
Founded in 1986, SAY Plastics currently employs 14 people; Ben Franklin’s funding will allow the small manufacturer to add several new positions in order to pursue new clients in the transportation and other industries.
“In order for us to acquire new business, we need to find innovative ways to get involved in the marketplace,” said SAY Plastics Vice President and General Manager Ron Staub. “As a result, we have perfected the process of making parts with alternative tooling—converting existing materials to plastics, and Ben Franklin thought it was a viable project.”
“Their investment in the form of a loan without collateral provides a way for SAY Plastics to move into the market faster by increasing marketing efforts and hiring a design engineer to expand our engineering capacity,” Staub said.
BFTP generally funds 30-36 projects annually, investing an average of $100,000 per project, within the 32-county territory of Central and Northern Pennsylvania. BFTP Director of the South Central Region Richard Heddleson says several factors made SAY Plastics’ application stand out.
“We’re looking to invest in companies that are innovating with technology and will create jobs in Pennsylvania—that’s the common thread. One of the important things about SAY Plastics is the strength of the management team. We felt confident that they would execute on their plan and that a significant number of jobs would be created in Pennsylvania as a result,” said Heddleson.
SAY Plastics, McSherrystown, Adams County, was recently awarded one of 11 investments by Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Central and Northern PA Region, in order to penetrate a new market: providing affordable thermoformed plastic parts utilizing new technology for the transportation industry.
The component pictured here, and above, is a window mask being produced for Chicago’s Metra commuter rail system.
SAY Plastics, McSherrystown, Adams County
Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), Gettysburg, PA, is a private, 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1989 as a result of a task force initiated by Adams County business leaders. The corporation is governed by a board of director comprised of many local and regional community leaders from all sectors of industry. ACEDC’s mission is to improve the economy of Adams County while preserving and enhancing the quality of life by formulating, implementing, and promoting economic development strategies for sustained investment and employment opportunities in Adams County. For more information, see adamsalliance.org, or follow us on Twitter (@AdamsAlliance), Facebook (Facebook.com/AdamsAlliance) and LinkedIn (Adams Economic Alliance).
SAY Plastics, located in McSherrystown, PA, is an ISO-certified producer of thermoformed plastic components and assemblies. The company’s SAYtooling System effectively re-engineers metal and FRP parts, providing thermoformed, cost effective, plastic designs for a variety of industries. For more information, see sayplastics.com.
The largest early-stage investor in our region, Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP, (an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority) provides funding, operational assistance, and business support services to emerging tech-based companies and small, existing manufacturers for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs in Pennsylvania. Contact Ben Franklin’s office in University Park at (814) 863-4558 or see our website at cnp.benfranklin.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT: KAREN HENDRICKS, HENDRICKS COMMUNICATIONS, 717-253-3553
