Hempfield approves consolidation of 2 parcels in industrial park, making way for new manufacturing company

A manufacturing company hoping to set up shop in Hempfield’s Westmoreland County Technology Park II is in the final phases of purchasing almost 11 acres of property.

According to Jason Rigone, executive director of the county’s Industrial Development Corporation, Red Fish, which represents the start-up company Fossil Industries, reached a deal to buy the property. Both entities are now finalizing details.

Fossil Industries — which builds consumer products like barbecue grills, fireplace components and aftermarket automotive parts — plans to construct a 41,000-square-foot building that will include 36,000-square-foot manufacturing space. The remainder of the space will be used as an office.

Another building, which will be constructed in the three to five years following the first project, will consist of an additional 12,000-square-feet of manufacturing space and 1,500-square-feet of office space. A third phase of construction would bring another 24,000-square-foot facility to the property.

To make room for the project, Hempfield supervisors voted Monday to consolidate two parcels within the industrial park, said Patrick Karnash, director of planning and zoning for the township. The lots are located along Global Circle and Excel Drive.

An option agreement for the project was originally approved by Westmoreland County commissioners in January. At the time, Red Fish had six months to reach an agreement to buy the properties.

Fossil Industries was founded by James Rose of Murrysville, an engineer with 30 years of experience and former director of engineering and construction at EQT, a Pittsburgh-based company.

The Hempfield site is expected to employ about 38 workers within five years.