Reading Eagle - July 2015

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What's Made in Berks?

Reading Eagle

Saturday July 4, 2015 12:01 AM

By Brad Rhen

Manufacturing is the largest industry in Berks County, accounting for about 23 percent of the county's gross domestic product, so it's no surprise many products are made here.

Some of those products are well known, others not so much.

Here are five products that you might not know are made in Berks:

Deka batteries: Made by East Penn Manufacturing near Lyons, the company is the county's largest employer and bills itself as the world's largest and most modern independently owned battery manufacturer. Deka batteries come in all shapes in sizes, including batteries for cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, jet skis and all-terrain vehicles.

Dieffenbach's Kettle Chips: Located in Tulpehocken Township north of Womelsdorf, Dieffenbach's makes small-batch kettle chips in a variety of flavors. The company, founded in 1964, also makes a separate brand of chips known as One Potato Two Potato.

Grosfillex furniture: The French company's Robesonia plant manufactures plastic furniture. The facility, which opened in 1969, manufactures stacking chairs, chaise lounges and swimming pool furniture as well as office furniture, restaurant fixtures and stadium seating. Among its largest customers for residential items are Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-Mart and Costco.

Radius Toothbrushes: The Kutztown toothbrush and accessory maker is one of the only toothbrush manufacturers still operating in the U.S. that makes its own injection molding and bristling machines. Located in a restored 19th century mill, the company sold more than 4 million toothbrushes, travel cases and replacement heads in 2014.

Unique Pretzels: As its name suggests, Unique Pretzels makes a variety of unique pretzel products, including splits, shells, sprouted-grain pretzels and chocolate-covered splits. The Muhlenberg Township company was founded in 1921 by the Spannuth family, which has been baking hard and soft pretzels since the late 1800s.

Contact Brad Rhen: 610-371-5047 or brhen@readingeagle.com.

See article here.