PPG Industries, Inc. announced a $70 million investment to expand its aerospace transparencies site in Huntsville, Alabama. The Pittsburgh-based company said the project is part of a series of multi-year efforts to raise production capacity and support continued growth of its aerospace transparencies business.
Francois Buehlmann, PPG general manager for global transparencies in its aerospace business, said demand for aerospace transparencies keeps growing across the commercial, military and general aviation markets. He said the expansion is intended to improve operational efficiency, leave room for future equipment investments and reinforce the company's long-term commitment to serving customers and investing in Huntsville.
The expansion includes the lease and build-out of a new 112,000-square-foot facility that will house production support functions, which the company said will free up additional manufacturing space at its existing transparencies plant. PPG said the projects strengthen its ability to meet customer demand for aircraft cockpit windows and passenger windows while positioning the site for future growth.
Buehlmann described Huntsville as globally recognized for innovation and leadership in aerospace, and said the company is pleased to keep investing in the community and to grow alongside the region's aerospace network.
PPG has operated its 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.