Truck-Lite Co., is relocating its headquarters to Knowledge Park at Penn State Behrend in Erie, Pa., improving future access to engineering and technology talent as the company prepares for the transportation industry’s shift to electric vehicles in the years to come, the company says.
“As the transportation industry shifts toward electric vehicles, developing new innovations for customers relies on our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified talent,” says Brian Kupchella, CEO, Clarience Technologies, parent company of Truck-Lite. “Relocating our headquarters to Knowledge Park and expanding our association with Penn State Behrend — a major college of one of the country’s top universities and a long-standing Truck-Lite partner — creates a strong pipeline of future electrical engineers, data scientists and business leaders in the years to come.”
Truck-Lite will lease nearly 30,000 sq.-ft. from Penn State Behrend, a longtime partner, for its back-office operations. Meanwhile, Penn State Behrend will invest in enhancements to its Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Center (AMIC), which will contain Truck-Lite’s laboratory and test space, the company says.
“Truck-Lite is a manufacturer renowned for innovation in its field with an established Pennsylvania footprint, and with its new proximity to and support from the talent pool at Penn State Behrend, the possibilities for continued growth and product development are endless,” says Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. “My administration is pleased to welcome another Truck-Lite site to the commonwealth and eager to witness the collaborative work that will result from its longtime partnership with one of the state’s top higher education facilities.”
Approximately 90 Truck-Lite employees, including engineering, planning, product testing, finance, marketing and customer service, will work at the new location, which is targeted to open late 2021.
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With Monday's announcement, Truck-Lite adds it reaffirms its commitment to the Erie/Jamestown region. Truck-Lite was established in Jamestown, N.Y., in 1955 and is currently based in Falconer, NY, where it has been located since 1966. The current Falconer headquarters and the new Erie headquarters are separated by only 45 miles.
Truck-Lite says the Knowledge Park headquarters will be Truck-Lite’s fourth location in Pennsylvania. Truck-Lite has more than 800 employees in manufacturing and distribution hubs in Coudersport, McElhattan and Wellsboro, as well as six additional sites in North America and Europe.
“Truck-Lite headquarters has been in this region for over 65 years,” says Shane Brown, general manager, Truck-Lite. “Today we can officially say we will be here for many more."
