08/17/2021
BENCH-TEK SOLUTIONS to Join Apple’s Impact Accelerator for Innovative Minority-Owned Businesses Focused on Environmental Action
Santa Clara, Ca — August 17, 2021 — Bench-Tek Solutions today announced that it has been selected to join the Apple Impact Accelerator, a new program for minority-owned businesses that are creating environmental solutions focused on climate change, resource conservation and smarter chemistry. Bench-Tek is one of 15 businesses selected for Apple’s first Impact Accelerator cohort.
Bench-Tek Solution specializes in the design and manufacturing of modular workstations, Industrial workbenches, carts, and racks. Their products are used in manufacturing, laboratory, cleanroom, and ESD safe environments. Bench-Tek creates better work environments that improve efficiency and productivity in businesses and organizations. Additionally, they distribute complimentary products that maximize client’s work environment needs.
“As a Silicon Valley-based, Latinx, women-owned business in automation and manufacturing, I am extremely enthusiastic to level up, our work in partnership with Apple. We look forward to striving together to maximize our efforts to improve racial equality and justice in the marketplace and the environment.” – Maria Castellon, CEO/Founder
Maria Castellon founded Bench-Tek in 2003 alongside her brother and business partner Jorge Castellon. Maria came to the US from Mexico in 1986 to attend college and in starting, worked as a janitor at IBM. That experience reinforced her belief in the value of hard work and perseverance. She started her current career by working for a workbench manufacturing company for 9 years. During the dot.com bust of 2002, the company closed, and Maria found herself in the unexpected position to finally start her own business. Although daunting, it was a blessing because she had always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Today, Bench-Tek is going strong with a diverse clientele, workforce, and a strong standing in the manufacturing industry.
Bench-Tek is committed to the unwavering pursuit of excellence in all the company endeavors, including their environmental efforts focused on resource conservation and waste elimination for themselves and their clients. By utilizing automation and lean manufacturing methodologies, Bench-Tek emphasizes comprehensive waste elimination throughout the operations of their organization. This methodology is transferred to their clients through Bench-Tek’s innovative products which increase productivity and efficiency, translating to the elimination of waste in many forms including energy, materials, and capital. Bench-Tek further emphasizes resource conservation by building long-lasting, durable products that can be reconfigured, repurposed, or recycled.
As part of the three-month Impact Accelerator program, Bench-Tek will participate in courses, live sessions, and one-on-one meetings with Apple team members to identify opportunities to align with Apple’s environmental goals. With ongoing mentorship from Apple and an expanding Impact Accelerator network, Bench-Tek will have access to continuous growth and networking opportunities with alumni companies that share a commitment to the environment.
“We are thrilled to welcome our first Impact Accelerator class and look forward to seeing how these innovative businesses will expand their work to protect the planet and our communities,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “On our journey to our 2030 carbon neutral goal for our supply chain and products, we’re determined to help create a greener and more equitable future for all people. The businesses we’re partnering with today are poised to become tomorrow’s diverse and innovative industry leaders, creating ripples of change to help communities everywhere adapt to the urgent challenges posed by climate change.” Apple.
Apple has committed to be carbon neutral for its entire business and supply chain by 2030 and is already carbon neutral for its corporate operations. The Impact Accelerator was announced last year as part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, focused on addressing education, economic equality, and criminal justice reform. For more information, visit https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/08/apple-selects-15-black-and-brown-owned-businesses-for-impact-accelerator/
PRESS RELEASE August 17, 2021 Apple selects 15 Black- and Brown-owned businesses for first-of-its-kind Impact Accelerator These innovative companies from across the US are working on environmental solutions Fifteen Black- and Brown-owned green technology and clean energy businesses are joining Apple...
