United States. Victaulic reported that it has submitted a plan to build a modern manufacturing center in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. The 400,000-square-foot facility is the result of increased domestic demand for the company's products. The facility is expected to begin later this year and be fully operational in 2019.
"This new facility will play an important role in meeting growing customer demand, while at the same time producing the highest quality products in the industry, something our customers have expected from us since our first innovation nearly 100 years ago." said John F. Malloy, CEO of Victaulic. "An important aspect of our business strategy has always been to manufacture products close to our customers. While we already manufacture 80 percent of the products sold in the United States, this facility will further enhance our product delivery capabilities, making our U.S. operations even more competitive."
In addition to housing the company's current light assembly operation, which was conducted in partnership with Cast-Pac Inc. for 20 years, the new facility will include several million dollars in new equipment to modernize its manufacturing operations. Robotic and optical technology at Victaulic's new facility will push the boundaries of quality control for the company's cast and finished products through automated assembly operations. The use of computerized visual inspection systems can identify nonconformities, preventing them from being sent to customers and maintaining Victaulic's operational excellence in excess of Seven Sigma requirements.
Along with the expansion, Victaulic envisions adding 40-50 new jobs by the end of 2018. From mechanics and lab technicians to assemblers and production personnel, many of the new positions are expected to be filled by local talents from the area's skilled workforce. The new employees will join Victaulic's current team of 3,600 employees worldwide, of which 49 percent are in the United States.
