Energy Automation Systems (EASI) has broken ground on a $1.5 million, 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Gallatin, Tennessee. The company will build 14 of its energy-saving products at the site, including passive harmonics filters and lighting controls.

"When we're finished our new building will enable us to keep up with increasing customer demand by speeding our production, ability to carry more inventory, and provide faster delivery to our customers and sales affiliates," said Joe Merlo, EASI's founder and CEO.

The company will add up to 36 employees by the end of both phases of the project in 2012.

"Demand for our energy-reduction products is increasing, so we are already looking ahead at a second-phase expansion to the building now under construction," Merlo said.

The site is located near the Sumner County Regional Airport, which Merlo said will make business travel to EASI convenient.