Follett LLC announces the expansion of its manufacturing facilities in Forks Township. A $12 million, 90,000 square foot addition will bring the total manufacturing and office space under roof to approximately 250,000 square feet.
Follett has had a manufacturing presence in the Lehigh Valley area since it moved into a 20,000 sq ft facility in Phillipsburg, NJ in 1957. In 1967, Follett moved into a 63,000 sq ft facility in Forks Township that has been expanded and modernized several times over the last 50 years to its current size of approximately 160,000 sq ft. It has also been operating a leased a facility in the LVIP IV to keep up with growing demand for its ice machines, dispensers, and medical-grade refrigerators.
In 2016, Follett was acquired by the Middleby Corporation, which has continued to fund Follett’s growth in products that promote health, safety, and well-being. “This investment also demonstrates Follett’s and Middleby’s commitment to be a vibrant and growing employer in the Lehigh Valley,” according to Korey Kohl, President of Follett LLC and Group President of the Middleby Beverage Group. “In addition to providing space for continued growth of the company, this expansion will allow all manufacturing and support operations to be consolidated into one location to improve efficiency and, most importantly, better serve our customers.”
The expansion and related investments are expected to be complete by mid-2021.