PPG Consolidates Coatings Division in Cranberry, Pa.
CRANBERRY Township, Pa. – PPG Industries Inc. will establish its headquarters for the company’s North American architectural coatings division at a 120,000-square-foot building here, consolidating operations from Louisville, Ky., Dover, Del., and Strongsville, Ohio.
The company will also expand and “co-locate” its architectural coatings research and development activities, laboratory equipment and personnel presently at its Springdale, Pa., and Strongsville sites to Harmar Township in Allegheny County, Pa. The Harmar Technology Center currently houses PPG’s glass and fiber glass business and research and development activities.
The official announcement was made by Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett. “Today is a win for southwestern Pennsylvania,” he said, “proving that the best way to spur new job growth is to work with local leaders and businesses. We appreciate our partnership with Allegheny and Butler counties, and the Allegheny Conference, to help bring more than 300 new jobs to the region.”
The PPG projects are expected to generate an investment in excess of $14 million for infrastructure, equipment and employee training. The company plans to create more than 300 jobs between both sites and retain another 2,500 positions throughout the state.
“Our plans to establish a central headquarters and R&D center for the company’s North American architectural coatings business in Pennsylvania are an important step in creating our newly expanded coatings business,” said Charles E. Bunch, PPG chairman and CEO, in a statement. “PPG has called Pennsylvania home to its global headquarters for 130 years, and this further strengthens our presence in the state and affected counties. We appreciate the continued support of the governor and county leadership as we move forward with this important decision for our future operations.”
In April 2013, PPG acquired the AkzoNobel North American Decorative Coatings business. This project will consolidate AkzoNobel North American headquarters and U.S. lab facilities with PPG’s architectural coatings business in order to improve collaboration between employees and save travel time and expenses. PPG’s operations in Canada and Puerto Rico are not affected by the consolidation.
The company received an incentive package from the Department of Community and Economic Development including a $1.25 million Pennsylvania First Program grant, $618,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and a $42,750 Guaranteed Free Training grant that will be used to train its new workforce. A $2 million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, to be repaid within 15 years, was also included.
The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Allegheny County and Butler County.
PPG, founded in 1883, has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries. PPG is the world’s leading coatings and specialty material company and is Pittsburgh’s second largest manufacturing company.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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