Nichols Portland Expanding in Pennsylvania

Nichols Portland Inc. announced October 20 it spent $4.7 million to move its St. Marys, Pennsylvania operation to a larger factory in the St. Marys Industrial Airport Park. According to a joint release from NPI and the Pennsylvania Department of Economic & Community Development, the new location will let NPI expand by hiring 42 new employees.

According to the Pennsylvania DCED, NPI received grants for $300,000 and $76,000 through the Pennsylvania First and WEDnetPA programs, respectively, as well as a $614,000 Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program grant to increase gas pressure and electric supply to the new facility.

The new site will advance NPI’s powder metal component manufacturing business, which uses conventional powder metallurgy, metal injection molding, and metal additive manufacturing to produce metal parts such as pumps, gerotors, and specialty valves.

In a joint statement, NPI CEO Thomas Houck thanked St. Marys locals and state officials for supporting the required buildout to support the new site.

“We are excited to expand in Elk County, leveraging the expertise and solid workforce that has been the foundation of growth across the entire powder metal industry,” Houck said. “With a focus on innovation and technology, we look forward to building NPI’s future in Pennsylvania and beyond to support our global customer base. I would like to recognize our tremendous local partners and contractors who have completed the necessary infrastructure improvements to bring our vision and strategy to a reality.”

Governor Shapiro said the expansion was a positive indicator for Pennsylvanian industry. “Nichols Portland’s decision to expand here in Pennsylvania will create new opportunities for Pennsylvanians throughout Elk County and strengthen our manufacturing sector — and it’s another sign that we’re delivering real results on economic growth,” he said.