Filterbuy, Inc., a leading air filter manufacturer, will expand its operations into Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday.
The business’s expansion is expected to create at least 120 new, full-time jobs and redevelop an underutilized industrial building in Westmoreland County.
“We welcome Filterbuy to southwestern Pennsylvania as it increases its regional presence, creates jobs, and provides high-quality, American-made products to customers across the country,” said Gov. Wolf. “Pennsylvania has a long legacy of innovation and a ‘can-do’ spirit, qualities that are shared by Filterbuy—a company that started with the purchase of machine parts and grew to include locations in multiple states with almost 1,000 employees—and we look forward to witnessing its continued growth and prosperity.”
According to the governor’s office, Filterbuy will sign a long-term lease with the Redevelopment Authority of New Kensington in New Kensington for 137,000 square feet of production and distribution space. The facility will be the company’s first operation in the Northeast United States.
Further, the company has promised to create at least 120 jobs over the next three years and invest at least $2.15 million for building improvements and equipment. Filterbuy produces filters that meet hospital-grade efficacy standards. The expansion is fueled in part by the increased demand for quality air filtration products during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Job creation is and has always been intertwined with our core values,” Filterbuy founder and CEO David Heacock said. “Given the increased demand for high-quality air filtration products now and well into the future, we are one of few companies adding jobs throughout the pandemic. We’re proud to be able to say the New Kensington plant will bring more than 60 jobs to the region by the end of 2021 and more than 100 jobs by the end of 2022.”
The company received a funding proposal for a $300,000 Pennsylvania First grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
“We are so excited that Filterbuy has chosen New Kensington for its Northeast Operation Center. This is another great day for our city as part of our revitalization,” said New Kensington Mayor Thomas Guzzo. “I am especially thrilled that Filterbuy will be hiring 120 employees, which not only benefits New Kensington but the entire Alle-Kiski Valley. I would like to thank the Governor’s Action Team for helping to make this happen.”