A high quality digitally printed signage company from Sydney, Australia has set up shop in Allentown, which will create 130 jobs in the Lehigh Valley.
On March 10 Gov. Tom Wolf announced that in response to increased sales in the U.S., Easy Signs is opening up its first manufacturing facility in this country and it will be located at 7346 Penn Drive in Upper Macungie Township of Allentown. This is in response to increased sales in the U.S. The company leased a 72,000 square-foot building and a soft product launch is scheduled for May with the full launch taking place in July. Hiring begins as early as March.
“Pennsylvania’s friendly business climate and manufacturing excellence is well-known internationally,” said Gov. Wolf. “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.”
Easy Signs is a company with a headquarters in Smeaton Grange, New South Wales, and creates digitally printed signage using state-of-the-art technology. It reportedly has some of the fastest production times of any sign manufacturer in Australia and over the past 10 years has invested in top notch machinery to create high quality products at the lowest possible cost. It has been exporting to the U.S. since 2019.
“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.”
Easy Signs received a funding proposal amounting to $225,000 for a Pennsylvania First grant through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). It also received a $75,000 workforce development grant for training workers and a $1 million loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. Easy Signs was also encouraged to apply for the Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) program. The company has committed to investing more than $2.8 million in the project and there will be 130 fill-time jobs created over the next three years.
The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team which is made up of experienced economic professionals who report to the governor and work with businesses that are considering moving to Pennsylvania or expanding. They also report to the DCED Office of International Business Development for investment assistance.
“We’re pleased to welcome Easy Signs to the Lehigh Valley, and were glad to work with them to help identify sites and provide economic data about the region,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC). “Manufacturing is the second-largest sector of the Lehigh Valley economy, and our region is attractive for international companies seeking a presence in the United States due to our prime northeast location, talented workforce, and excellent transportation infrastructure. Businesses from many countries have made the Lehigh Valley their home, and I’m sure Easy Signs will find the Lehigh Valley a perfect fit for its first U.S. manufacturing operation.”