In a friendship forged in copper, representatives from Sealy and Austin County formally welcomed a contingent of officials from China-based Hailiang Copper Texas during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon at Liedertafel Hall.

The company purchased the former BAE Systems facility and will build a new 500,000-square-foot facility on the 200-acre site to produce copper water pipes, coils, refrigerating air conditioning pipes, insulation pipes, and other conduits.

The company is making a $165 million investment that includes fixed assets and equipment worth $134 million and $30 million in working capital. The company is expected to bring 250 jobs to Sealy, phased in over the next few years.

At the ceremony, County Judge Tim Lapham served as master of ceremonies, introducing various local officials, including Sealy Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Robert Worley, Sealy ISD Superintendent Sheryl Moore, Sealy City Manager Lloyd Merrell, and others.

From Hailiang, Michael Jiang, the company’s director of investment, served as a translator for the Chinese dignitaries, including Hailiang Copper Texas CEO Hu Wang, among others. Also speaking was Carter Cao, vice president of China Construction America, the partner company that will build the new facility.

Wang was presented with a Key to the city and the approximately 150 guests were treated to food and beverages afterward.

Construction on the new facility is expected to start later this year and be complete in late 2020.