Australian manufacturer to hire 130 at new Allentown facility

Gov. Tom Wolf said today an Australian manufacturer will create 130 new jobs at its first U.S. facility in Allentown. 

Easy Signs, Inc., a manufacturer of high quality digitally printed signage, has leased a 72,000-square-foot facility at 7346 Penn Drive in Upper Macungie Township. Easy Signs anticipates a soft product launch at the beginning of May, with a full launch by July. Hiring for the new location will begin as early as March. 

 “Pennsylvania’s friendly business climate and manufacturing excellence is well-known internationally,” said 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, headquartered southwest of Sydney, Australia, has seen increased sales to the U.S. and is opening their first U.S. manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania to continue that growth.  

 “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 from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $225,000 Pennsylvania First grant, a $75,000 workforce development grant to help train workers, and a $1 million loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA).  

The company was also encouraged to apply for the department’s Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) program. Easy Signs has committed to investing more than $2.8 million into the project and creating 130 full-time jobs over the next three years. 

Easy Signs manufactures high quality digitally printed signage using the latest technology.  Over the last 10 years, Easy Signs has invested in the latest state of the art machinery to ensure they supply consistent, high-quality products at the lowest cost. The company has been exporting to the U.S. since 2019. 

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania and DCED’s Office of International Business Development, which offers both export and foreign direct investment assistance to help companies grow in the commonwealth. 

“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,” he said. “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.”