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Conair Expands Franklin, Pennsylvania, Production Operations

10/23/2026
Industrial equipment manufacturer Conair plans to expand its operations in Franklin, Pennsylvania. The $9.75 million project is expected to create 126 jobs in Venango County.

The investment will include the lease and renovation of a 157,760-square-foot facility at 325 Buffalo Street, to increase the company's fabrication, machining and powder coating capabilities.

“Conair has been manufacturing in Franklin for more than 70 years, and this expansion reflects our commitment to our employees, our customers, and this community,” said The Conair Group Executive Vice President Jon Lashley. “Adding fabrication, machining, and powder coating capabilities will give us greater control over quality and lead times and help us respond more quickly to our customers’ needs. We appreciate the Commonwealth’s support as we invest in Conair’s future and create new opportunities in Franklin.”

To support the project the company received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for an $805,000 Pennsylvania First grant and a $40,000 WEDNetPA grant to train its workers.

“Conair’s revitalization of a shuttered manufacturing facility is a big win for the company, community, and the Commonwealth,” noted DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “This investment will breathe new life into a site that has sat vacant for almost a decade, creating new opportunities for workers, and strengthening the economic foundation of Venango County and the surrounding region. The Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting projects that bring new investment to rural Pennsylvania, build on our manufacturing strengths, and help communities turn underutilized assets into engines of economic growth.”

Conair specializes in the design and manufacturing of auxiliary equipment and automation systems for plastics processing. The company provides drying, conveying, blending, heat transfer, size reduction and downstream extrusion equipment used by plastics manufacturers to improve production efficiency and product quality.

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