Cardinal Systems announced $9 million expansion in Schuylkill, York counties

May 15—Cardinal Systems Inc., a family owned manufacturer of steel wall panels and vinyl pool liners, will expand in North Manheim Township and in Manchester Township, York County, with a $9 million investment that will retain more than 300 jobs and create nearly 60 full-time jobs over three years, Gov. Tom Wolf's office announced Friday in a news release.

The company received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $258,000 Pennsylvania First Grant, a $59,000 workforce development grant to help the company train workers and a $3 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan. The company has committed to investing at least $8.8 million into the project.

"Bringing these new, full-time opportunities to Pennsylvanians in our renowned manufacturing industry has never been more important as the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic," Wolf was quoted in the news release.

The company was established in Schuylkill County in 1976 and also manufacturers thermomoulded and extruded plastic products.

"We are excited to embark on this expansion of our manufacturing facility during this unprecedented busy time brought on by the pandemic. As a family owned business, we believe strongly in investing in our people and our operation as a way to provide a solid foundation for our success as an American manufacturer," said Cardinal Systems owner Rachel Bradley.

The company will expand its Schuylkill County headquarters, which will include the construction of new office and warehouse space. The expansion will streamline its shipping operations, repurpose its existing warehouse, reduce truck traffic on Route 61, allow the company to increase capacity on its production floor and create additional office and work space, the governor's office reported.

A critical component is upgrading the on-site storm sewer system at the Schuylkill County site, mitigating flooding events for the location while providing increased capacity for additional businesses along Route 61.

The York County portion of the project will include the installation of required data lines, HVAC systems and office space in an existing area of an adjacent building. The work will allow Cardinal to expand its vinyl liner production.

"The new warehouse and office space will allow Cardinal to continue to expand and grow our operations and to continue to be an employer of choice in Schuylkill County," said Cardinal System President Deb Haase.

Haase told the Republican Herald for a story in February that since the pandemic hit, "everybody wants a pool right now."

She said the company had a backlog at the start of 2021 that was four times what it had at the same time last year.

"That's why we're confident this year's going to be another record year for us," she said at the time, noting a growth in employees from 150 to 200 at its location near Schuylkill Haven.

"We are excited to see the next generation of the Bradley family making such a significant investment in both their facility and their employees which will further enhance their continued growth as one of Schuylkill County's leading, family-owned manufacturers," said Karen Kenderdine, chairwoman of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp.

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.