2017 Ben Franklin Innovative Application of Technology Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

March 1, 2017

RADIUS Receives Ben Franklin Innovation Award

Kutztown, PA —  The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania has announced the winners of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Innovation Awards, presenting RADIUS with the Innovative Application of Technology category.

The Innovative Application of Technology award highlights a company that strongly demonstrates a “break-the-mold” approach to integrating new or existing technology into its business. Ben Franklin recently published an award press release with the following company description explaining why RADIUS was honored with the Innovative Application of Technology award. 

RADIUS Corporation, Kutztown
Saskia Foley, CEO and President
RADIUS designs and manufactures premium personal care products including eco-friendly toothbrushes, molded travel cases, dental floss, and organic toothpastes. The completely solar-powered, certified woman-owned company is committed to ongoing R&D to identify innovative and sustainable manufacturing approaches to make everyday products distinctive. Its Source Toothbrush uses replacement head technology with a handle made from recycled dollar bills, paper, and wood, reducing waste by 93%. Through Ben Franklin funding and connections, RADIUS received marketing and strategy support, teamed with the Plastics Manufacturing Center at Penn College to address a breakage problem with toothbrushes, and more recently worked with Lehigh University’s Enterprise Systems Center on facility optimization. Since last year, RADIUS has increased employment from 30 to 35 and in the past five years’ company revenue has increased by 3½ times. RADIUS will soon purchase, renovate, and relocate into a larger building to respond to burgeoning demand.

The purposes of the innovation awards are to recognize winners for their success and achievement, to highlight the effectiveness of the Ben Franklin program, and to inform entrepreneurs and established manufacturers about the resources that are available to them in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Awards will be presented to seven recipients, companies or individuals who have achieved business success through Ben Franklin funding and assistance, have helped others to achieve success, or have improved their businesses through innovation. Each award recipient exemplifies outstanding achievement in that category.

Other categories being recognized as a 2017 Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania Innovation Awards winner include:

• Entrepreneurial Achievement
• Incubator Graduate
• Product Innovation
• Manufacturing Achievement
• Partnership (two winners)

Winners will be honored at the Ben Franklin iXchange event, which will be held at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, May 9th at the Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

About the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP), an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, creates and retains highly paid, sustainable jobs by linking companies with experts, universities, funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. BFTP/NEP’s strategy encompasses three key areas:

1. developing and growing early-stage technology-based companies,
2. helping established manufacturers creatively apply new technology and business practices to achieve industry leadership, and
3. promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth companies.

BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MEDIA CONTACT: 

Laura S. Eppler
Director of Marketing
610.758.5237
leppler@nep.benfranklin.org

About RADIUS®

RADIUS, established in 1983, is a certified women-owned consumer products company. It is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of specialty toothbrushes, toothpastes, and complementary personal care products, including travel cases and dental floss. RADIUS is a leader in the natural products industry in personal care and is renowned for its combination of innovative designs, premium materials, and eco-conscious manufacturing that redefines ordinary personal care products with the goal of enhancing the quality and enjoyment of everyday routines.

Today RADIUS is proud to be one of the only toothbrush manufacturers still operating in the United States that still manufacturers on its own injection molding and bristling machines. RADIUS is now certified women-owned and completely vertically integrated; designing, manufacturing, and inspecting all of its products by hand. RADIUS operates and manufactures in a restored feed mill in Kutztown, PA on solar powered machines. Parallel goals of promoting energy-efficient manufacturing and a focus on a clean and cutting-edge design presence sets RADIUS apart from the rest.

For more information about RADIUS please visit www.madebyradius.com.

RADIUS MEDIA CONTACT: 
Amanda Stimpfl
astimpfl@madebyradius.com
Direct – (484) 641-8081

# # #