WYOMISSING, Pa. – Through the Manufacturing Innovation and Learning Lab (MILL) at Penn State Berks, students will have an opportunity to collaborate with Brentwood Industries staff on real-world projects. The MILL recently received a grant for $63,646 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Manufacturing PA Innovation Program to support this collaboration.
The grant is part of a broader $3.1 million statewide investment to fund student-led manufacturing innovation projects that connect Pennsylvania companies with university talent.
Brentwood Industries, founded in 1965, is a global manufacturer of engineered plastic solutions with a strong focus on innovation, advanced manufacturing and continuous improvement.
The DCED Manufacturing PA Innovation Program supports collaborations between universities and manufacturers to solve real-world challenges while providing students with hands-on experience.
"Partnerships like this are a win for everyone involved," said Walter Banta, chief operating officer at Brentwood Industries. "Students gain real-world experience working alongside our team, and we benefit from fresh ideas as we continue improving our manufacturing operations."
At Penn State Berks, this grant will support students working directly with Brentwood staff, helping to advance digital transformation and innovation deployment across Brentwood’s manufacturing operations. Specifically, they will deploy a major multi-year digital transformation initiative to migrate data into a unified structure, standardize machine operator screen interfaces, expand Industrial Internet of Things systems and integrate project management across Manufacturing Execution Systems.
Five students will work on the initiative, receiving support and guidance from Brentwood staff, as well as Penn State Berks faculty. To best support Brentwood’s project, students will be identified from three majors: electro-mechanical engineering technology, information technology and computer science.
“This collaboration will help Brentwood continue modernizing its operations while giving Penn State Berks students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world manufacturing environment," said Penn State Berks Chancellor Radha Pyati. "The partnership with Brentwood Industries represents a shared commitment to innovation, workforce development and economic growth in Berks County.”
About the MILL at Penn State Berks
The Manufacturing Innovation and Learning Lab (the MILL) is a hands-on education and workforce development hub dedicated to strengthening manufacturing in Berks County and beyond. By connecting students, faculty and industry partners, the MILL works at the intersection of education, workforce development and economic growth. Its programs include:
- Applied projects with regional manufacturers
- Workforce training and upskilling in smart manufacturing technologies
- Design-and-build services to support Industry 4.0 adoption
- Pathways from education to careers in advanced manufacturing
Through these efforts, the MILL helps small and midsize manufacturers adopt emerging technologies such as automation, robotics and data-driven systems to help them remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy.
For more information about this initiative or the MILL, contact Erica Kunkel, director of innovation, workforce and community impact, at ELS5014@psu.edu.