Exeter, Pa. April 24, 2025 -- PowerRail, North America’s leading distributor of aftermarket locomotive parts and components, was recently awarded the Annual Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturing Achievement Award by Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

The award was presented to PowerRail during Venture Idol 2025, an annual event hosted by Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP). Each year Venture Idol unites over 300 businesses, community leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and investors in the northeastern Pennsylvania area, and features networking opportunities, as well as recognition of the award winners. 

Butch Gaudet, PowerRail’s Vice President of Engineering and Quality, attended Venture Idol 2025 on behalf of PowerRail to accept the award.

“It is an incredible honor to accept this award on behalf of all our hardworking team members at PowerRail,” Gaudet said. “We are thrilled to have our innovation and dedication to excellence recognized at this event.”

BFTP is proud to be investing in Pennsylvania’s future and for many years has been expanding the job market by investing in both early-stage and established firms to create sustainable jobs while collaborating with different companies. The annual Venture Idol is just one of many ways that Ben Franklin Technology Partners assists both new and established companies by offering mentoring, partnership, and developmental opportunities. Companies in the Ben Franklin Northeast portfolio also compete for prize money, including a judge’s choice award and the grand prize selected through audience voting.