Updated: 2:55 p.m., June 2

A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 2 for a new Pepperl+Fuchs facility in Katy. Once complete, the 110,000-square-foot facility will bring at least 100 new employees to the area, officials said. Pepperl+Fuchs is based in Germany and produces equipment used in various manufacturing environments that are prone to explosions, spokesperson Joe Mosbrook said. The new facility will be located inside the new West Ten Business Park at 502 Cane Island Parkway, Katy. The building will house manufacturing, distribution and offices for the company’s Southeastern/Gulf Coast regional headquarters. The company makes various products, including electrical sensors, oxygen purging equipment and devices utilized for intrinsic safety in the oil and gas industry, pharmaceutical production, chemical processing and the food industry, Mosbrook said. “This facility is focused on process automation … They can custom make parts in a couple of days instead of, say, six weeks,” he said. “This center can [also] certify all the explosion proof equipment it makes.” Chris Tanea, marketing director for the Katy Area Economic Development Council, said the KAEDC, the city of Katy, the Port of Houston and Katy ISD worked with Pepperl+Fuchs to bring the company to Katy. He said the facility is expected to have a massive economic impact on city and surrounding community. “It is estimated to create $25 million in capital investment,” Tanea said. “In addition to manufacturing, [company officials] said they will host hundreds of business visitors at the facility. Those people will visit our community, spend money here and contribute to the economy.” Tanea said the company is applying for Foreign Trade Zone status for the plant, which is a federal economic designation that allows companies to manufacture and trade products that benefit on special tax and tariff rules. “It was a very cooperative effort with a lot of different entities,” Tanea said. Katy City Administrator Byron Hebert said the facility will be a positive asset for the city. "They’re a great addition to the business park," Hebert said.  "We have worked with the [Katy Area Economic Development Council] to bring them to Katy." The facility is set to open in Spring 2017.