New manufacturing facility to be built in Centre County

The Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership recently announced that Organic Climbing has purchased a site within the Moshannon Valley Regional Business Park where the company will build a manufacturing facility.

Organic Climbing, which has a facility at the MVEDP’s Regional Business Center, will begin construction of its 17,000-square-foot building in the spring.

Organic Climbing was launched in 2004 by Josh Helke and produces bouldering crash pads, backpacks, clothes and tote bags for rock climbers. The company’s origins are thousands of miles away in Wyoming where Helke had been dissatisfied with gear that was made overseas.

Helke moved the company to Philipsburg in 2010.

“Manufacturing in the Philipsburg area has been amazing,” Helke said. “We have lots of support from the community as well as a well-trained workforce that has worked in the textile trades for generations. We also love the ability to run a modern factory with the walking distance access to the great Pennsylvania outdoors. Our employees will be able to enjoy hikes and bikes on trails through the woods at our new location.”

The company has 16 employees, and Helke will hire five more this summer.

The company’s new facility and an expanded workforce will enable it to increase production space and move some production from other United States factories to Philipsburg.

“All our production will be under one roof allowing us to do smaller production runs and change our colors and styles faster,” Helke said.

This story was originally published February 9, 2018 at 11:12 AM with the headline "New manufacturing facility to be built in Centre County."