PPG announced this week that it is investing $300 million in advanced manufacturing in North America to support increased demand for paints and coatings in the automotive industry. These investments will commence in 2024 and span a four-year period.
As part of the initiative, PPG will build a new paints and coatings manufacturing plant in Loudon County, Tennessee, USA. The 250,000-square-foot (23,225.8 m2) facility, PPG’s first new manufacturing plant to be built in the United States in more than 15 years, will initially produce paints and coatings products and solutions for automakers and automotive parts suppliers.
The facility could eventually supply other industrial segments, including transportation, heavy duty equipment, building and construction, and consumer products, according to the manufacturer.
“As the automotive industry continues to transform, we’re excited to expand our manufacturing capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our automotive customers,” says Alisha Bellezza, senior vice president for PPG’s automotive coatings business. “The strategic location of PPG’s new facility in Tennessee also creates a more efficient and effective supply chain with close proximity to many automotive manufacturing facilities, which will further enhance the service experience for our customers.”
Once fully operational, the facility will employ approximately 130 full-time employees and produce more than 11 million gal (41.6 million L) of paints and coatings annually. Construction of the facility will begin in August 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2026.
PPG’s advanced manufacturing investments will also enhance and expand activities at existing facilities in Cleveland, Ohio and San Juan Del Rio, Mexico. The investments cover new equipment and processes that will increase manufacturing efficiencies, resulting in improved processing times, and will expand PPG’s capabilities to meet growing demand for sustainable solutions, such as waterborne coatings.
The investment represents a strategic, growth-focused investment for PPG, according to the manufacturer. However, the company says it does not represent a change in its overall capital investment spending levels, which will be consistent with prior years.
“These investments continue to modernize and digitize our manufacturing capabilities, and demonstrate PPG’s continued focus on quality and service to our customers as the premier single-source coatings supplier for every vehicle surface,” says Tim Knavish, chairman and CEO. “As we continue to see a resurgence of U.S. manufacturing PPG will leverage this new facility and our other site investments to maximize quality, improve operational efficiency, and reduce product complexity within our manufacturing footprint.”
Source: PPG, www.ppg.com/autocoatings.