The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Chesco manufacturer to expand, add jobs
LIONVILLE » Chester County manufacturer USSC Group has announced plans to expand its operations in the county and add more than 240 jobs. The company manufactures custom seating and fire suppression products for the transit, military and first responder markets.
USSC Group currently occupies a 136,000 square foot facility at 150 Gordon Drive in Lionville. By the end of June, the company will move to a facility that totals 300,000-square feet — nearly tripling the company’s operations in Chester County.
The move represents phase one of an expansion in response to business growth. Plans are underway to add an additional 175,000 square feet of manufacturing space in phase two, which is expected to begin in 2019, according to Joseph Mirabile, USSC Group president and CEO.
The company is investing at least $13.2 million into the project and has committed to the creation of at least 243 new jobs while retaining another 133 jobs over the next three years.
Mirabile cites an increase in the company’s core business of transit, motorcoach, train and first responder seating, as well as growth in the company’s acquisition of technology for two markets as reasons for the expansion.
On Tuesday, the company announced that it is purchasing Bose Ride technology from Boston, Mass. based ClearMotion, an automotive technology company that specializes in digital chassis control.
Bose Ride is an active suspension seat that cancels road disturbances and reduces whole body vibration and fatigue for drivers by up to 94 percent, according to Mirabile.
“This creates a much safer environment and eliminates 94 percent of the noise in the driver’s seat. It makes you feel like you’re sitting still. The technology uses the same technology as noise cancelling headphones,” he said.