PPG Industries, Inc. (Pittsburgh, Pa.) will invest $70 million to expand its aerospace transparencies site in Huntsville, Alabama, the company announced. The investment is one of a series of multi-year projects meant to increase production capacity and support continued growth of PPG's aerospace transparencies business.
"Demand for aerospace transparencies continues to grow across commercial, military and general aviation markets," said Francois Buehlmann, PPG general manager for global transparencies in its Aerospace business. He said the expansion is intended to raise operational efficiency, provide room for future equipment investments and reinforce the company's long-term commitment to customers and to Huntsville.
The project includes leasing and building out a new 112,000-square-foot facility to house production support functions, which the company said will enable additional manufacturing space at its existing aerospace transparencies plant. The company said the ongoing projects are aimed at helping it meet growing customer demand for aircraft cockpit windows and passenger windows while positioning the site for future growth.
Buehlmann also addressed the location: "Huntsville is recognized globally for innovation and leadership in aerospace. We are proud to continue investing in this community and look forward to growing alongside the region's dynamic aerospace network."
PPG has operated an aerospace transparencies manufacturing facility in Huntsville for more than 55 years. Its aerospace business supplies coatings, sealants, transparencies, engineered materials and related services to commercial, regional, general aviation and military customers worldwide.