TEMPLE, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday East Penn Manufacturing Co. will be expanding its presence in Temple as it builds a new finishing and distribution center worth more than $106M and creating 266 jobs.
The new 300,000 square foot facility will be built on a 305-acre "shovel-ready" industrial park, according to Adrian Cannady, president and CEO of the Temple Economic Development Corporation.
East Penn manufactures lead batteries and accessories for automotive, agricultural, commercial, industrial, stationary and specialty markets. The new center will be responsible for the final third of the manufacturing process including electrolyte filling, electrical formation and distribution preparations.
According to the company's website, it is a "private, family-owned company operating
the largest single-site, lead battery manufacturing facility in the world."
The facility will be an extension of the company's manufacturing and distribution network.
Abbott said the he is excited for the company to bring its well-established business to Texas.
“I thank East Penn for all they have brought to the city of Temple and to the state of Texas," Abbott said. "I look forward to their continued success.”
Chris Pruitt, the CEO and president of East Penn, said he is looking forward to bring the business somewhere that provides potential to continue expanding.
"This will be a significant investment for East Penn," Pruitt said. "We are pleased that it will be in a community and state where we feel we can flourish and grow."