Lehigh Times

A Sydney, Australia, signage company will be setting up shop in the Lehigh Valley with the opening of the first Easy Signs, Inc., in the U.S., which will bring in 130 new jobs over the next three years.

Easy Signs has leased a 72,000-square-foot facility at 7346 Penn Drive in Upper Macungie Township, Allentown. The company will have a soft product launch in May and then a full launch by July. Hiring will begin this month, according to Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA).

“We have spent years building Easy Signs into a customer-centric, ultra-efficient manufacturing company,” Andy Fryer, cofounder of Easy Signs, told the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “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. 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, as well as a $75,000 workforce development grant for training workers, and a $1 million loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. The company is investing more than $2.8 million into the project, according to the Official Pennsylvania Government Website.

This project was overseen by the Governor’s Action Team, which includes economic development professionals reporting to Wolf, who work with local businesses or those considering expanding to Pennsylvania. It also reports to DCED’s Office of International Business Development.

"Pennsylvania’s friendly business climate and manufacturing excellence is well-known internationally,” Wolf said, according to his website. “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 (its) first U.S. manufacturing operation here speaks volumes about the commonwealth, and I’m thrilled to welcome them to Pennsylvania.”

Easy Signs creates high-quality digitally printed signs. It is located in Smeaton Grange in New South Wales, and over the past decade it has invested in state-of-the art machinery to create high-quality items at a low cost. The companny has exported to the U.S. since 2019.

President and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation Don Cunningham was happy to welcome Easy Signs to the area.

“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,” Cunningham told the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “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.”