LIBERTY - A company in business for more than 100 years is investing more than $5 million and hiring to meet demand - and it has nothing to do with the growth of natural gas shale drilling.
Falcon Transport on Tuesday cut the ribbon at its Liberty headquarters in unveiling two of the 50 International Prostar Plus trucks it bought from Cerni Motors in Austintown.
The company plans to add 25 to 30 drivers locally, along with five or 10 mechanics and some management positions, said Mark Constantini, executive vice president and fourth generation of family ownership.
Constantini said the company, which already has 800 semi and flatbed trucks in six locations, might not be done buying trucks, thanks to work the company does for automaker General Motors Co., along with steelmakers ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel.
"We do a lot with Lordstown, and we thank them for that," Constantini said of the nearby factory that builds the popular Chevrolet Cruze compact car.
The rush by natural gas drilling and supplier companies isn't driving the company's growth, Constantini said, although he added management is watching the industry.
The company will train less experienced drivers, Constantini said. Candidates should visit www.falcontransport.com for details and to apply.
Falcon's growth is helping many other businesses, officials said.
Vince Cerni, fleet sales manager for Cerni Motors, said the average order the dealer gets is for 15 to 20 trucks.
"This helps tire vendors, oil and lubrication and many others," he said.
Liberty Trustee Jodi Stoyak said, "It's very gratifying to see an existing business expand and offer new jobs."
Township Administrator Pat Ungaro said the area benefitted when Falcon moved its headquarters into the former world headquarters of auto parts maker Delphi Packard in 2007.
"This was an empty building for 10 years. We're thrilled to keep (Falcon) creating wealth," he said.