Bosch Rexroth has completed a major expansion at its hydraulics manufacturing and distribution center in Bethlehem, Pa.
The newly completed $2.2-million Brodhead Road expansion adds about 150,000 sq. ft. It gives the company about 200,000 sq. ft. in two buildings for the manufacturing and distribution operations.
The new manufacturing facility makes valves and manifolds for mobile and industrial hydraulics, as well as industrial, mobile, and compact controls. It also provides testing and service support. The new logistics and distribution facility ships products to more than 500 customers, including Bosch Rexroth's nationwide network of drive & control distributors.
The new Bethlehem facility serves customers in several business segments, including construction and agricultural mobile equipment, machine tools, presses, plastics machinery, die casting, marine and offshore, pulp and paper, and specialty and test machinery.
The company’s overall Bethlehem operations also include production of large hydraulic systems and power units, which are made in its City Line Road facilities.
Together, the Brodhead Road and City Line Road campuses in Bethlehem employ about 700 people and house about 450,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing, distribution, logistics, administration, service, and storage operations. That makes them Bosch Rexroth's second-largest hydraulics operation in the U.S., behind its Fountain Inn, S.C., facility, which was expanded last year.
Bosch Rexroth Americas president and CEO, Berend Bracht, says the opening of the new center is the latest step in the company’s “local for local” strategy to expand manufacturing, service and support in the regions most appropriate for its customer base.
“Not only is Bethlehem a convenient location from which to serve our hydraulics customers in North America, but this region has also played a major role in Bosch Rexroth’s history. As our business has grown here over the years, we’ve been able to add good manufacturing jobs for the region’s very capable employee base. Our expansion here is a reflection of our commitment to support sustainable business operations in the Lehigh Valley,” said Bracht.
In addition to Bethlehem and Fountain Inn, Bosch Rexroth has facilities for industrial and mobile hydraulic components located in Houston, TX; Lake Zurich, IL; Columbus, OH; and Dallas, TX. Other recent programs contributing to The Drive & Control Company’s growth include the opening of its technology and service center in Houston to serve the growing marine and offshore industry in the region; the expansion of its Charlotte, NC, linear motion and assembly products facility; and the GoTo Focused Delivery Program, which provides short lead times for the delivery of thousands of Rexroth drive, control and motion products.
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