Energy focus lands PEPRO in Virtual Energy Incubator

PEPRO is well-known as a manufacturer of innovative shielded enclosures that protect sensitive, expensive communications from lightning strikes. The Oil City-based company, though, has added alternative energy to its gameplan and as a result, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania wants the company to play on its virtual field.

PEPRO last week became the 14th member of Ben Franklin’s Virtual Energy Incubator. The VEI operates programs that assist member companies in exploiting new energy-related technologies. It exists as a virtual community and is managed by a team from the Ben Franklin Transformations Business Services Network.

“It’s seldom that we get the chance to interact with other companies that have the same needs for funding relative to prototype development, testing and market research,” says PEPRO CEO Victor Garmong. “The virtual nature of the incubator creates an excellent opportunity for networking and resource sharing without the need for expensive travel and time-consuming, face-to-face meetings.”

In 2008, the company started developing new wind turbines and solar towers designed to power emergency communication units, including those in isolated locations removed from the energy grid. PEPRO has a long history with Ben Franklin, which helped move the company into growth phase in 2002 with a $165,000 investment. PEPRO’s exclusive technology has created shields that can absorb a 50,000-volt direct hit, with less than half a volt getting through to the equipment on the inside.

Other VEI members include: Spinworks, KCF Technologies, Energy Wall, Solarity, Pace Controls, Expansyn Technologies, Illuminex, Sinewave Energy Technologies, GreenTek Building Solutions, and Terra Green Energy LLC, Pennsylvania Insulated Glass, Alcoil, and Envinity.

Source: Victor Garmong, PEPRO
Writer: Joe Petrucci