Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday that Easy Signs, Inc., a digitally printed sign company, would open its first U.S. manufacturing operation in Allentown, creating 130 jobs.
The company, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, said its sales in the United States have increased, and it hopes that opening the manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania will continue that growth.
“We have spent years building Easy Signs into a customer-centric, ultra-efficient manufacturing company. With a focus on technology and continual innovation, we knew it would one day be ready to launch into a much larger market such as the U.S. That day has now arrived and we are thrilled to be establishing in Allentown,” said Andy Fryer, Co-Founder of Easy Signs. “We look forward to creating a wide range of jobs for Pennsylvanians in the Lehigh Valley and developing a facility and culture that allows people to enjoy coming to work each day.”
The company said it has leased a 72,000-square-foot facility in Lehigh County, in Allentown, and anticipates a soft product launch at the beginning of May 2022. A full launch is expected in July 2022. Hiring for the new location begins in March, the company said.
“Pennsylvania’s friendly business climate and manufacturing excellence is well-known internationally,” Wolf said. “Manufacturing has long been a key part of the commonwealth’s economy, and we have much to offer the industry, from our skilled workforce to prime northeast location and more. Easy Signs’ choice to locate their first U.S. manufacturing operation here speaks volumes about the commonwealth, and I’m thrilled to welcome them to Pennsylvania.”
The company received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCEC) for a $225,000 Pennsylvania First grant, as well as a $75,000 workforce development grant to help train workers and a $1 million loan through the Pennsylvania Development Authority. The company was also encouraged to apply for the Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) program. Easy Signs said it would invest more than $2.8 million into the project and create 130 full-time jobs over the next three years.