The new facility was designed and built to meet the specific large-scale manufacturing operations needed to produce substrates and filters for medium and heavy-duty diesel applications. By January 2005, Corning expects to employ approximately 250 workers at the plant, located in Steuben County in the Southern tier of the state.

Corning officials say that new emission requirements for diesel vehicles are expected to create a $1 billion market worldwide for substrates and filters by 2008. Tighter clean air standards are being implemented in both the US and in Europe over the next four years, they add.

Corning chairman and CEO James R. Houghton says of the new plant, "Solid, long-term relationships with our valued customers around the globe have provided a strong foundation for this new plant. This plant, and the clean air products that it produces, is also a compelling symbol of the commitment of our customers to produce cleaner diesel vehicles today and well into the future."

New York Governor George Pataki as well as a number of state and local politicians joined in the festivities at the plant opening. Corning, known worldwide for its fine glassware products, is eligible for a host of state grants including: a $625,000 Capital Grant and a $400,000 STRAP Training Grant from Empire State Development. The company is also eligible for a $1 million Industrial Access Program Grant from the New York State Department of Transportation that will fund the construction of rail siding into the new facility. The company may also be eligible for up to $475,000 in other state program aid.