D. Gillette Industrial Services, Inc. is acquiring a 26,227-square-foot facility at 1510 Richmond Road in Forks Township.

A manufacturer of assembly parts and equipment for the military is relocating to a new location in the Lehigh Valley, a move that will expand its operations and create jobs in the region.

D. Gillette Industrial Services, Inc. (DGI), is acquiring a 26,227-square-foot industrial multi-building distribution and office facility at 1510 Richmond Road in Forks Township, and will be moving from its old space in Bangor into the new location.

The move is supported by a 10-year, $380,000 Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan at a 2.5% fixed rate through Lehigh Valley Economic Investment Corporation (LVEIC).

“We’re very pleased that LVEIC was able to help this growing business secure financial assistance and help ensure it stayed here in the Lehigh Valley,” said LVEIC Chair Christopher Brown, Senior Vice President, Commercial Market Executive with Fulton Bank. “This is a great example of how LVEIC strives to minimize the burden for Lehigh Valley companies and get them the help they need so they can keep focused on their business operations and growth plans.”

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) provides administrative services for LVEIC, which is a Pennsylvania certified economic development organization. Northampton County first brought the DGI project to the attention of LVEIC.

“I live in New Jersey, and I considered moving my business there, but between LVEIC, LVEDC, SBA, the county, the governor’s team, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, they all made my decision very easy to stay in Pennsylvania and grow my business here,” said Dee Spencer, President of DGI. “They walked me right through it. PIDA is a great program and I’d recommend it to anyone considering whether to move or stay in Pennsylvania.”

Due to significant growth over the past few years, DGI has outgrown its current 9,000-square-foot facility in Bangor. Relocating to the new project facility will allow the company to increase its production capacity and keep up with demand, according to the state.

The women-owned business currently employs 11 full-time and 5 part-time employees, and plans to add six new full-time jobs over the next three years. The total project cost is slightly more than $1 million.

Founded in 2002, DGI is a family-operated manufacturing company specializing in the design, fabrication, repair, and supply of assembly parts and equipment for the lifecycle sustainment of military customer assets.

DGI provides quality parts, kits, instruments, and support equipment to the United States government and commercial clients, serving both the commercial and defense industries with a commitment to providing quick lead times, cost savings, and the highest-quality products to meet and exceed customer expectations.

The project site sits on two adjacent lots, totaling just over three acres, and had previously been used as a woodworking shop. The adjacent lot will allow for additional expansion in the future as the company continues to take on larger contracts. 

The new space will allow DGI to grow its business by taking on larger government jobs, as well as bring larger projects and other work in-house that is currently being outsourced. The additional space will also allow for further diversification into environmental-related industries.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced this month that PIDA had approved the loan. PIDA provides low-interest loans and lines of credit for eligible businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs and for the development of industrial parks and multi-tenant facilities.

“PIDA loans are a critical tool that companies can use when they need help growing and expanding their operations,” Wolf said. “The two projects approved today will create dozens of new jobs, streamline business operations, and increase space and bandwidth to keep up with growing demand for services and products.”

In 2021, PIDA has approved $32.6 million in low-interest loans that have resulted in $82.6 million in private investment and supported 1,251 created and retained full-time jobs, according to the state.