Falls Twp. Company Expanding, Adding 25 Jobs

A company that manufactures additives for polymers, plastics, and synthetic fibers is doubling the size of the Falls Township facility.

Executives from Ohio-based Americhem broke ground on a 62,000-square-foot expansion of the manufacturing plant on Progress Drive. They said the company plans to add 25 jobs in addition to the 70 already at the facility.

The addition to the existing 60,000-square-foot building will feature a 20,000-square-foot “clean room” for manufacturing products for the medical field and a new center where the company can meet with customers, Americhem CEO Matthew Hellstern said.

Americhem executives said the company has seen growth in recent years, especially in the medical device sector.

“To continue supporting this growth, our current customers, and influx of new customers, a plant expansion was the next strategic move to make,” said Jim Figaniak, Americhem’s vice president and general manager.

The addition will allow the company to expand the products they produce.

Hellstern explained that the expansion also means the company will create less waste and recycle more by either reusing plastic waste or selling it to firms that can use it.

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero commended the company for expanding and noted Bucks County is becoming a hub for companies similar to Americhem.

“I think it’s another great example of how Falls Township has been as friendly as we can be to business,” Falls Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Bob Harvie said in a telephone interview after. He added that he appreciates companies like Americhem who provides family-sustaining jobs.

Bucks County Commissioners Chairman Robert Loughery said he worked as the coordinator of the Enterprise Zone of Bucks County 20 years ago. In that job, he worked to help businesses on the footprint of the former U.S. Steel Fairless Works site and he was pleased to see Americhem expanding and adding jobs.

Loughery said a key principle of economic development is to “keep every job you got.”

Construction is expected to be completed at the site by next fall, Americhem spokeswoman Hailey Cassidy said.