East Penn Manufacturing Co., maker of Deka Batteries, announced it will expand its manufacturing facility in Temple, Texas.
The company, headquartered in Lyon Station, Pa., currently employs some 350 people at its Temple operations, officials said. With the announced expansion, the company expects to add an additional 48 full-time jobs. The expansion will increase the 393,000 square feet by another 175,000 square feet. Groundbreaking on the project is in Temple’s Industrial Park is expected in June with a targeted completion date of fall 2028.
“As the company continues to expand its capacity of AGM batteries, we are pleased to continue our growth within the Temple area. The workforce here is second-to-none and the support that we receive from Temple EDC, our government partners at all levels, and the overall community is truly remarkable. We look forward to leveraging this strategic location to further enhance servicing our customers and their future growth in AGM products,” Larry Miksiewicz, East Penn Chief Manufacturing Officer, said.
The Temple facility is a key part of the company’s battery manufacturing process. Batteries are manufactured in Pennsylvania and shipped to Temple for finishing before being distributed across North America. The proposed expansion will increase the plant’s finished capacity by at least three million AGM SLI batteries annually.
“Reinvestment at this scale is a measure of performance. East Penn’s decision to expand in Temple reflects an operation that works — supported by a capable workforce, a competitive manufacturing environment in Texas, and the operational advantages of locating in Temple,” Adrian Cannady, president and CEO of Temple Economic Development Corporation. “We are proud to support the continued growth of a premier employer recognized for its workplace culture.”