Martin Guitar is looking to improve its sales forecasting and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners is looking to help.
C.F. Martin & Co. Inc. of Nazareth, and its university partner, Lehigh University Enterprise Systems Center, has received a grant for $25,000 to help apply advanced analytics to its internal sales data and outside data to increase sales and operational planning. Martin is an internationally known manufacturer of acoustic guitars.
The established manufacturer 1:1 matching investment was part of $220,000 in investments just announced by the partners.
Other established manufacturer investments in the region included $25,000 to Material Solution Services on Northampton, which is working with Lehigh University Enterprise Systems Center, to complete the formulation of new composite materials that can be used for general fill in land development, construction and mine reclamation.
Lamtec Corp. of Mt. Bethel, and the university center, received $25,000 to complete the design of a new material handling system. Lamtec is a global supplier of insulation vapor retarders.
East Coast Erosion Control of Bernville, a producer of erosion blankets and products, and the university center received $25,000 to improve its back-end processes to enhance customer delivery performance and increase efficiency.
Ben Franklin has also made investments in two early stage companies.
Ethnic Beauty Store LLC of East Stroudsburg received $65,000 to expand retail distribution of its proprietary Game Face Grooming line and boost marketing efforts.
Skillion LLC, located in Ben Franklin’s TechVentures in Bethlehem, received $40,000 to further develop a mobile app for remotely monitoring and controlling an electronic bike to prevent theft and manage e-bike rentals.
