MM Metals Expansion Could Bring 129 More Jobs To Area

A metals manufacturer that is the sole producer of ferrochrome in the United States, used in aerospace and defense applications, is expanding at the Keystone Trade Center in Falls Township, bringing as many as 129 new jobs with it.

The Falls Township Board of Supervisors on Oct. 26 unanimously approved two land development applications from MM Metals covering expansions of its ferrochrome and aluminum operations along Innovation Drive.

The company currently employs about 45 people and expects to eventually have about 175 permanent employees following the expansion, according to representatives. It plans to bring as many as 200 new construction jobs to the area next year.

MM Metals has operated at the Keystone Trade Center since about 2022, producing ultra-pure aluminum granules and, since 2025, ultra-low-carbon ferrochrome.

Attorney Matt McHugh, who was representing the project, told supervisors that MM Metals is the first U.S. producer of ferrochrome in more than 50 years and currently the only domestic producer.

MM Metals representative Michael Devlin said the company produces a low-carbon ferrochrome that is sold to specialty steel manufacturers.

Ferrochrome is used in the production of specialty steels for the defense, aerospace and energy sectors.

“We’re basically a feeder material, but we’re not you know we we’re not we’re not directly on say a defense contract,” Devlin said.

The material can be used to produce steel capable of withstanding extreme heat, resisting corrosion or providing greater hardness. Devlin cited potential applications ranging from rockets reentering the Earth’s atmosphere to infrastructure exposed to saltwater.

Much of the ferrochrome used domestically has historically come from overseas. He identified Kazakhstan, Russia and China among major international producers.

“We’re the only producer in the United States,” Devlin said.

The expansion consists of two related projects. At 53 Innovation Drive, MM Metals plans a 17,153-square-foot building that would essentially replicate its existing ferrochrome operation. The project also includes equipment pads, silos, receiving and processing areas, utilities, lighting, stormwater facilities and relocation of the existing parking lot and office.

The second project involves a new 126,543-square-foot aluminum production plant at 49 Innovation Drive.

That plan includes a lot-line adjustment adding about 18.5 acres to the development site along with parking, material storage, two weigh stations, underground utilities, lighting and stormwater management.

The company’s existing ferrochrome and aluminum facilities would remain in operation. The expansion would therefore increase production rather than relocate the company’s current operations.

The Falls Township Planning Commission had recommended approval of both projects.

Company officials said hiring workers may be one of the challenges accompanying the expansion. The operation requires employees ranging from production workers who can be trained for the manufacturing process to specialists such as metallurgists and pyrometallurgists.

“We’ve lost this generationally, right?” Devlin said. “So, we don’t have this capability.”

He said MM Metals was already trying to hire about 20 people and expected new workers to require extensive training.

The company also works with master’s and doctoral students through university internship opportunities, according to its representatives. Company representatives said they were willing to explore local partnerships with Bucks County technical programs or Bucks County Community College.

One MM Metals employee, Louis Figueroa, who heads operations for MM Metals and has lived in the area for decades, told supervisors he grew up professionally through manufacturing rather than following a traditional advanced-degree path.

“I started as a contractor and then transitioned into manufacturing and this have done great things for me and my family,” Figueroa said.

Residents also questioned the environmental and workplace safety implications of increasing production.

Vince McCarron, MM Metals’ environmental health and safety manager, said the ferrochrome product can be transported in bags, large sacks or directly in trucks. He said the finished material is extremely hard and does not readily create dust.

Company representatives said the existing operation had undergone environmental review and the expansion would use the same processes already operating at the site. The company said it already has an air quality permit covering the expansion and is classified as a low emitter.

Officials also acknowledged the inherent dangers associated with working around molten metal.

“Working with molten metal is extremely dangerous,” McCarron said. “I’m not going to water it down.”

He said the company had gone five years without an injury requiring an employee to leave the site for treatment, followed by two relatively minor incidents requiring treatment.

Supervisor Erin Mullen praised the company’s growth and said she had spoken with employees living close to the operation who spoke highly of MM Metals, which she said was rare.

“I think this is kind of a very American success story,” Mullen said. “I appreciate you bringing it back and I wish you success on what you’ve had so far.”