Pittsburgh-based Matthews International Corp., a industrial technologies, memorialization products, and brand solutions provider, plans to relocate its bipolar plate manufacturing and prototyping operations to Burlington, N.C.
“We are very excited about this expansion and adding these capabilities to our Burlington, North Carolina site,” Greg Babe, Matthews International chief technology officer, said. “In addition to fabricating tooling for graphite bipolar plates for hydrogen fuel cell power units and the production of the equipment to produce and assemble them, this site will be a development center for the next generation, roll-to-roll graphite bipolar plate production process currently under development. With demand for green energy technologies accelerating, having close proximity to our automotive customers will allow us to accelerate solutions that address tomorrow’s problems.”
The facility, part of the Matthews Engineering energy solutions business, operates under the brand name Terrella Energy. It will fabricate flat die and rotary embossing tooling for graphite bipolar plates, and will produce and assemble the plates. It is strategically located within the Southern Automotive Corridor.
The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority awarded the company eight grants to support the Burlington site’s expansion by 60,000 square feet.
Matthews International employs approximately 12,000 employees in more than 30 countries.