Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Corning Incorporated announced that Corning Incorporated will invest nearly $250 million for a 94,000 square-foot expansion of its diesel plant in the Town of Erwin, Steuben County, creating 250 full-time jobs and retaining 500 positions.
The announcement, made following Corning’s Board of Directors’ approval of the capital expansion project, will allow Corning to increase manufacturing capacity of the company’s diesel emissions control products and will address growing demand for heavy duty emissions control projects.
“The expansion of this facility is great news for New York - a testament to our world-class workforce and further proof of our ability to compete for global jobs and business,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are extremely pleased that Corning has decided to make a major investment to expand their capacity here in Erwin, and look forward to them growing and thriving in the region.”
“Important heavy duty regulations in China and Europe as well as for non-road vehicles take effect over the next two years which could double demand for our products by 2017,” said Mark Beck, executive vice president Corning environmental technologies and life sciences business group. “These investments in our manufacturing capabilities demonstrate our commitment to ensuring a reliable supply of next generation diesel products to our global customers for years to come. Erwin is a great place to grow our jobs and capacity, and we thank Governor Cuomo for his support in making this expansion a reality.”
Corning’s investment will increase capacity at the Erwin Diesel facility near Corning, which manufactures large ceramic substrates and filters for heavy duty diesel engine truck construction and agricultural equipment manufacturers worldwide. Its diesel plant in Erwin began manufacturing large substrates in 2004 and now also produces particulate filters for heavy-duty applications. The company has completed two facility expansions to date to accommodate global market growth.
Corning said spending on the $250 million dollar project will occur over a three year period and will not change the company’s previous capital spending forecast for 2013 and 2014. The latest project is expected to be operational in 2015 and create an additional 250 new full-time positions if market demand grows as expected.
“Governor Cuomo has had a laser-like focus on opening New York’s doors to business and creating an environment where major companies such as Corning can invest and grow,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “New York State’s partnership with Corning remains strong and we were pleased to work as a team with our state and local partners to make this investment a reality.”
Corning is a leading supplier of advanced cellular ceramic substrates and diesel particulate filters for the world's major manufacturers of gasoline and diesel engine. The company invented the first high-performance cellular ceramic substrate in the early 1970s which set the standard for catalytic converters worldwide. Corning also developed the cellular ceramic particulate filter in 1978 to remove soot from diesel engine emissions.