Innovation is key for Bridgeworks’ manufacturing clients

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A Conversation with Brittany Butkowski, program manager for the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, Allentown

Brittnay Butkowski is the Program Manager for AEDC’s Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, the Lehigh Valley’s only business incubator dedicated primarily to manufacturing startups.

LVB: How and why did the Allentown Bridgeworks Enterprise Center get started?

Butkowski: The closure of Mack Trucks Plant 4A in the 80’s and our purchase of the building in June of 1988 was the beginning of Bridgeworks Enterprise Center. Allentown Economic Development Corporation’s specialty is revitalizing old manufacturing buildings…so, the construction and renovation began to divide the building and create multiple manufacturing suites and in 1989 Bridgeworks incubation program opened with the mission to help start-up manufacturing companies become profitable.

LVB: Is it competitive to become a client and tenant of the Bridgeworks?

Butkowski: Becoming a client of the incubation program at Bridgeworks is much more competitive than trying to become a tenant. A client who is applying for the incubation program goes through a three-step application process before acceptance into the program. The lack of manufacturing space between 30,000-80,000 square feet within Allentown and the Greater Lehigh Valley, makes it hard to graduate current clients to make room for new prospects which also creates that competitive edge to the program.

So, when there is available space in our program, it doesn’t last long, because it’s a rare occurrence. For example, in 2024, it’s the first time in over a decade that we’ve had a waiting list for the incubation program.

LVB: You offer so much more than space. What are some of the programs you have to benefit your clients?

Butkowski: We offer shared spaces and resources such as forklifts, pallet jacks, conference rooms, shared loading docks, a machine shop, and staff that is on site Monday through Friday. There are also annual events, quarterly lunch and learns, and other mentoring services offered. But the most beneficial and intangible piece of the program is that these clients are in an ecosystem with other makers where they can help support each other, and exchange knowledge which leads to innovation.

LVB: You help out a wide range of manufacturers, what are some of the industries represented at the Bridgeworks?

Butkowski: Bridgeworks Enterprise Center is home to a wide variety of manufacturing sectors including cryogenics, semiconductors, plastics, machining, beverage manufacturing, design, testing, and prototyping.

LVB: Do you have some success stories you can share with our readers?

Butkowski: Our incubation program is designed to help early-stage manufacturing companies become viable and stable businesses that can graduate and move out on their own into Allentown or the Greater Lehigh Valley to continue providing manufacturing job opportunities to the community.

Polymer Contours, owned by Tyson Daniels, is the definition of what the program is designed to do. Tyson bought and grew his company at Bridgeworks and was then able to graduate and move out into his own building in the City of Allentown in early 2023.

His company is continuing to succeed and create those jobs, and we couldn’t ask for a better success story.