West Penn Testing Group, a material-testing services provider, will locate to Ellabell, creating 70 jobs and investing $3 million into a facility over the next five years, according to Gov. Nathan Deal announced.
“West Penn Testing Group’s decision to locate to Bryan County underscores the high-caliber talent found in Georgia,” Deal said today. “Not only does this advocate for Georgia’s No. 1 business climate, but it also shows the strength of our advanced manufacturing network. West Penn Testing Group made the right choice.”
West Penn has selected Bryan County’s Interstate Centre industrial park as its next nondestructive testing center. The new facility will use immersion ultrasonic, magnetic particle, etch, fluorescent and visible penetrant inspection to evaluate the quality and integrity of raw materials and components, according to a press release from the governor's office.
Testing is anticipated to begin at the 30,000-square-foot Bryan County facility in the fourth quarter of 2014, and the company expects to employ roughly 70 ultrasonic technicians within five years. The company plans to work with the local communities, technical colleges and military bases to fill positions and will qualify for Georgia QuickStart, a workforce training program.
“West Penn Testing Group is very excited about placing our facility in Bryan County and in the state of Georgia,” said N. David Campbell, CEO of West Penn. “We selected the location based on Bryan County and the state’s ability to find ways to support our needs, such as local employment opportunities, technical education centers, potential veteran employment pool, building availability/location, Georgia’s QuickStart program and tax incentives to remain competitive in our markets.”
Alyce Thornhill, regional project manager at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, helped the company find the site, along with the Development Authority of Bryan County.
"We are very pleased to welcome West Penn Testing Group, a leading testing and evaluation organization, to Interstate Centre in Bryan County,” said Steve Croy, authority chairman. “West Penn Testing's presence in the community helps us further diversify the types of companies we have represented in our existing industry base. We are committed to working with West Penn Testing to help ensure the company's success at the Bryan County facility." “
"Projects like this really reflect how economic development works in Georgia,” GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr said. “Our seamless partnership with the community, education sector and Georgia QuickStart will support West Penn Testing Group’s new facility and the jobs and investment from this dynamic company will impact the future of the manufacturing industry.”
About West Penn Testing Group: It was established in 1952 and provides an array of independent nondestructive, chemical and material testing services. These services evaluate ferrous metals, steel alloys, nickel/cobalt specialty alloys, titanium and powder alloys. The company serves markets, such as aerospace, power generation, medical and general industrial. The company maintains other facilities in Pennsylvania and South Carolina with capacity to handle parts up to 20,000 pounds and 32 feet in length.