Siemens has announced plans to invest $7.2m to expand a US site that develops and builds large variable frequency drives. Siemens acquired the site when it rescued Robicon from bankruptcy last year.

When the expansion work at the New Kensington, Pennsylvania, site is completed in March next year, Siemens expects to create 145 new full-time jobs, taking the total for the 2,800m² site to 480. The company says that the investment will result in a more efficient and productive plant that will develop and build medium voltage drives, mainly for utility applications.

The state of Pennsylvania has given Siemens various incentives to help secure the investment.