Lehigh Valley maker of Mane 'n Tail continues expansion

STRAIGHT ARROW PRODUCTS

In October 2014, Straight Arrow Products Inc. broke ground on its second Lehigh Valley site, in Forks Township, with plans to double its size in the next five to 10 years.

Those plans appear to be on track, as almost exactly five years later it’s expanding again.

The privately owned maker of products for horse and human care on Tuesday will break ground on a 25,000-square-foot addition to its Forks manufacturing plant.

The $3 million project is part of a four-phase expansion at 900 Conroy Place in Forks Industrial Park, near Route 33.

The company has its headquarters and other operations in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park V in Bethlehem Township.

Devon B. Katzev, Straight Arrow president and CEO, said the company employs about 80 people and is on target to expand twice more in Forks in the next five years.

With the next phases, the company could add 30 jobs, he said.

Started in 1970 in Warren County, New Jersey, Straight Arrow became a crossover success early on with its Mane ‘n Tail shampoo and conditioner. The product went from tackshop staple used on horses to a salon secret selling worldwide.

The company also sells horsegrooming products and a line of therapeutic items for people. Its other brands include names such as Hoofmaker and Mineral Ice.

Straight Arrow previously received $4.3 million in public funding via two loans toward the initial phase secured through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, DCED spokeswoman Casey Smith said.

Katzev said the company does not plan to seek public funding for the next expansion.

Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone can be reached at 610-820-6694 or asalamone@mcall.com.