A Lower Towamensing Township business that is the largest producer of aluminum powder in the country has announced a new production line is ready to begin.

The Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new production line at AMPAL Inc., 2115 Little Gap Road, Palmerton, Tuesday afternoon.

The new line is being designed with capability for both nodular and spherical aluminum powder production.

United States Metal Powders Inc., founded in 1918, is a global leader in the production of aluminum powders with two production companies, AMPAL and Poudres Hermillon, SARL in La Tour-en-Maurienne, France.

AMPAL moved its production facility from Flemington, New Jersey, to its current location in 1982 and has been operating there for the last 42 years. The company’s products are sold globally to a wide variety of end markets including aerospace & defense, chemicals, automotive, general industrial, consumer, building & construction, defense, and energy. Eric Degenfelder, president of United States Metal Powders Inc., said they were excited to invest in this new capacity, and added the new production line is designed with state-of-the-art technology for safety, productivity, and quality.

“This will add 15 jobs to AMPAL,” Degenfelder said. “Which is great for the company, and great for the community.”

Kylie Adams-Weiss, senior vice president for the CCEDC, said the chamber was pleased to celebrate this milestone, as the expansion signals sustained investment in Carbon County’s manufacturing future.

Congressman Ryan Mackenzie thanked Degenfelder for this “incredible expansion for the local community.”

Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein thanked AMPAL for being a part of the growth of Carbon County, and congratulated them on their expansion.

Carbon County Commissioners Chairman Mike Sofranko touted AMPAL for being the largest producer of aluminum powder in the country, and thanked them for investing back in Carbon County with the creation of 15 new jobs.

Nate Gerace, representing state Sen. Dave McCormick’s office, said he was excited to see this, and praised AMPAL for “helping make Pennsylvania better, and helping make Carbon County better.”

Brad Hurley, representing state Sen. Dave Argall’s office, noted this is an example of being “all about community.”

Timm Berger, representing state Rep. Doyle Heffley’s office, said the expansion and growth was wonderful to see.

Don Herrmann, mayor, Palmerton Borough, praised AMPAL for bringing more jobs to the local area.

Degenfelder then thanked members of the board of directors, Patrick Ramsey, Peter Ramsey, and Louise Ramsey Thomas, the children of K. Clive Ramsey, who founded and ran US Metal Powders until his passing in 2016.

Patrick Ramsey said they could think of no better place to centralize operations than at the site in Palmerton, and thanked Degenfelder, the management team and the production team.

“Production is the lifeblood of this company,” Patrick Ramsey said.

Danny Perez, general manager of AMPAL Inc. said he’s been with the company since 1992.

“I feel very proud to be a part of this company,” Perez said.

Steve Meining, of Lower Towamensing Township, was among those who attended the ribbon cutting.

Meining shared his thoughts on the experience during Tuesday’s Lower Towamensing Township board of supervisors meeting.

“They did a really nice job on that new addition,” Meining said. “It’s definitely a very positive thing that happened for the township.”