THERMA-FLIGHT, A BENICIA BUSINESS, has closed a $7.5-million equity financing round with XPV Capital to fund its clean technology business growth that has more than doubled in three years, Preston Whitney, vice president of business development, said.

“We are a Benicia company doing some pretty amazing things,” Whitney said of the manufacturer of thermal desorption and biosolids drying equipement at 849 Jackson St.

Founded in 1939, its heat exchanger screw conveyor has been adapted to multiple applications including sterilization in such diverse operations as power plants and food producers.

Whitney said company growth is “fueled by strong demand for its proprietary processing systems for municipal wastewater treatment and innovative technology used by the oil and gas industry.”

Therma-Flight produces a method of energy-efficient, automated conversion of wastewater solids into Class A biosolids that economically replace chemical fertilizers in parks and recreation areas and prevent sewage sludge from contaminating drinking water. Its thermal desorption system remediates sludges separating and recovering water, diesel and oil that can be reused instead of discarded.

CEO Mike Potter said XPV Capital’s involvement will let Therma-Flight introduce new products and expand its plants in Benicia and El Dorado, Ark.

Benicia Main Street Day at First Street Café

First Street Café will host Benicia Main Street Day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, when 20 percent of pretax sales to customers bringing in a Main Street flier will be donated to Benicia Main Street. Flyers are available at Benicia Main Street, 90 First St.

Benicia staff announces new businesses

Benicia city staff has announced several new businesses in the city.

Among them are Summit Drywall and Painting, 4866 East Second St., owned by John and Jennifer Everhart; Premier Brands, 635 First St., owned by Tim Aldrich; Huckleberry’s, 800 Southampton Road, owned by Cal and Jeff Lundin; Timeless Memories, 129 First St., Suite D, owned by Mohammad Mehdi; and Reds Auto Sales, 1350 Hayes St. No. 22, owned by Jeffrey L. Jones. Patrick’s Pumpkins and Trees has opened in the parking lot of the former Pappas Restaurant, 1654 East Second St., owned by Patrick Gleason.

Others opening here include Best Tax Firm, 310 Military West, Suite B, owned by Jennifer Traynor; Barber Parlour, 390 Military East, owned by Ahmad Abdelrazzaq; Benicia Pallets, 3001 Bayshore Road, owned by Angel M. Estrada and Gustavo Perez; Panda Express, 804 Southampton Road, owned by the Panda Express Group; Kaiser Crossing, 1001-1021 First St., owned by Anne Kaiser and Robert Taylor; and Stephens Mechanical Group, 3900 Oregon St., Suite 4, owned by Michele and Paul Stephens.

Also opening in Benicia are Critical Weld Inspections Inc., 507 First St., owned by David and Sandra Cox; Border Transfer, 521 Stone Road, owned by Patrick McCluskey and Donald Staniszewski; and Phoenix Installation Service, 5000 East Second St., Suite L, also owned by Patrick McCluskey and Donald Staniszewski.

Getting new owners are Mystic Nail Salon, 191 Military East, Suite D, now owned by Nhung Nguyen; and Hunt and Sons, 530 and 540 Noyes Court, now owned by Joshua and Joseph Hunt.

The Benicia Herald’s weekly Benicia Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about such news as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.

The Benicia Herald also appreciates area companies’ advertising patronage. For advertising services, call 707-745-0733 or email adsbenicia@yahoo.com.

—Donna Beth Weilenman

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