The Lehigh Valley’s reputation as one of the top manufacturing regions in the U.S. was solidified in the first half of this year, as several longtime manufacturers expanded and others joined the market.
The investments will create up to 276 jobs and add more than 335,000-square-feet of space.
Many of the manufacturers offered the same reasons for investing here: a talented labor force, a location on the East Coast close to ports and major markets, and competitive costs.
Four of the five already were operating in the Lehigh Valley and opted to expand because they had experienced the Lehigh Valley’s advantages.
Two are based internationally, entrenching the Lehigh Valley's global appeal.
With more than 700 manufacturers producing a collective output of $9 billion, or 16% of the Lehigh Valley’s $56 billion Gross Domestic Product, Lehigh Valley is among the Top 15% of manufacturing markets in the U.S.
Here are five key expansions to that market in the first half of 2025.
Bronkhorst USA
The Dutch company, which established its U.S. headquarters in the Lehigh Valley 18 years ago, moved to a location nearly double the size in Hanover Township, Northampton County. It will expand staffing and operations to include assembly for customers throughout North and South America.
Bronkhorst USA produces instruments that regulate and control pressure and the flow of liquids and gases for the life sciences, chemical, energy, automotive, health care, research, food and beverage, automotive, and aerospace industries, among others.
“It’s a really significant commitment to the U.S. market by Bronkhorst,” said Todd Hannigan, Bronkhorst USA General Manager. “I'm excited to have assembly operations in the U.S. and continue our growth and to create additional jobs here in the Lehigh Valley.”
Filter King
The manufacturer of HVAC filters for residential, commercial, and industrial use opened a 61,600-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VI in Bethlehem Township that will create up to 120 jobs.
Filter King chose the Lehigh Valley because of the region’s skilled labor force, proximity to major metropolitan areas including Philadelphia and New York City, and highway network.
“Filter King's new location at 2701 Baglyos Circle supports our strategic goal of expanding our presence into the Northeast. Lehigh Valley Industrial Park’s central location and outstanding logistics infrastructure make it an ideal base for manufacturing and distribution as we continue to scale our operations,” said Filter King Founder and CEO Rick Hoskins.
FLSmidth Cement
The manufacturer of equipment for cement and other industries opened a 122,000-square-foot factory in Allen Township that will employ 60.
FLSmidth Cement chose the location because of the availability of skilled labor and proximity to the company’s headquarters, which is also located in the Lehigh Valley, providing efficient access to about 200 sales, engineering, and project management professionals.
Lehigh Valley is the birthplace of the American Portland cement industry, the most widely used type of cement globally, because of rich deposits of high-quality limestone.
Among the equipment to be produced at FLSmidth Cement’s new facility is the Fuller-Kinyon® Pump. Invented in the Lehigh Valley in 1918, the pump revolutionized the cement industry and empowered construction of America’s cities.
Kervan USA
The Turkish company that produces gummy, licorice, and marshmallow candies is building a $20 million, 90,000-square-foot manufacturing and packaging facility in Bethlehem and Lower Nazareth townships.
Kervan USA currently has its U.S. headquarters in the Lehigh Valley, in Whitehall Township, and packaging and distribution locations in New Jersey. It will consolidate those operations to the new location, which is expected to open next year.
Plans call for about 40 new employees to be hired, bringing Kervan USA’s Lehigh Valley workforce to about 50. Products currently are produced in Turkey, Egypt, and Poland. Lehigh Valley will be the first U.S. manufacturing location.
“This location made perfect sense, both proximity to the ports and the workforce,” said Gokhan Kacmaz, Kervan USA’s Chief Financial Officer. “We saw a big opportunity. All this made the Lehigh Valley a great location to make this investment.”
Myers Emergency & Power Systems
After manufacturing emergency lighting in the Lehigh Valley for more than two decades, the company is expanding with a new factory to produce battery energy storage systems.
Myers Emergency & Power Systems will produce the EnerShed systems at a 50,000-square-foot facility in Bethlehem Township. The systems will provide a backup power source for commercial buildings.
About 45 jobs are expected to be created, and 235 jobs will be retained. The facility, which The Morning Call reported was a multi-million investment, will significantly reduce delivery time to customers in the U.S.
(FLSmidth Cement photo courtesy of FLSmidth Cement. Filter King photo courtesy of Filter King. Other photos by LVEDC).