SilcoTek Looks to Expand Manufacturing in Bellefonte

Looking to keep up with high demand, SilcoTek wants to create a 28,510-square-foot expansion at its Bellefonte manufacturing facility and add up to 25 jobs in the process.

The expansion would double the manufacturing capability for the company, which in 2009 branched off independently from Restek, said SilcoTek’s Luke Patterson.

The company’s coatings offer corrosion-resistance, chemical-inertness and other properties that perform during challenging material applications at original equipment manufacturers, labs and factories. 

Located at 225 PennTech Drive, near the Benner Pike exit for Interstate 99, SilcoTek’s coatings are seeing an increase in applications, said Patterson, and the company is growing. It plans to do so right in Bellefonte.

“Our roots are here, starting at Restek. After we separated in 2009 and built our factory on the Benner Pike in 2013, we continued to grow,” said Patterson. “Our customers know to send stuff to us here and we want to be able to continue that growth here.”

Patterson said the company has done well because of its unique offerings and its current customers are happy with its products. SilcoTek currently employs 51 people, with 20 to 25 in manufacturing. The new addition should double the manufacturing jobs in the plant.

The plans for the addition are still in the development phase and Patterson said he is unsure when they will be breaking ground, but the Centre County Board of Commissioners discussed the plans at its Aug. 21 meeting and will likely approve the memorandum of understanding for the project during the next meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

“We have another serial entrepreneur in Centre County creating jobs; good-paying jobs,” said Commissioner Mark Higgins. His fellow commissioner, Steven Dershem, gave credit to SilcoTek leader Paul Silvis.

“I just want to recognize Paul Silvis. He really has done so much for the community. What an amazing entrepreneur and business leader and community leader,” said Dershem.