On Noviembre 5, nearly 20 Ben Franklin Northeast staff members traded their office desks for safety glasses during a visit to portfolio company American Crane & Equipment Corporation in Douglassville, Berks County.
For more than 50 years, American Crane has been a trusted U.S. manufacturer of overhead cranes, hoists, and specialty lifting equipment used in highly demanding environments, including industrial, nuclear, and other critical applications.
Jeff Eberly, Senior Director of Innovation for American Crane, kicked off the visit with an educational session about the company’s history, capabilities, and the vital role its equipment plays in keeping complex operations moving safely and efficiently. He then led the Ben Franklin team through the company’s expansive manufacturing space, where staff walked past towering cranes, hoists, and an impressive array of massive machinery in various stages of fabrication and assembly.
Ben Franklin has supported American Crane projects over the years with funding for technology-based improvements that strengthen the company’s competitiveness and growth. This is the kind of partnership Ben Franklin offers manufacturers across the region, helping them secure project-specific funding to modernize equipment, adopt new technologies, and enhance productivity.
“It’s been a pleasure working with Jeff and the rest of the American Crane team,” says Marisa Bishop, Regional Manager of our Greater Berks County and Reading region. “By supporting American Crane, we are supporting a powerhouse manufacturer in Berks County that is directly tied with our mission to create and retain jobs in Pennsylvania. The opportunity to learn more about the operation during our tour has been invaluable for myself and the rest of our team. ‘Always lift, never quit!’”
Visits like this deepen Ben Franklin’s understanding of the technologies, challenges, and opportunities facing the manufacturers within our portfolio and within our region. We’re grateful to Jeff and the entire American Crane team for opening their doors, sharing their expertise, and giving our staff a firsthand look at the innovation happening right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.