Corning Readies $250M Expansion

ERWIN, NY-Corning Inc. will spend nearly $250 million to expand its diesel emissions control products plant here by 94,000 square feet, the company announced late last week. The Erwin project, which comprises the bulk of a capital expansion budget approved by Corning's board of directors, is projected to expand the plant's headcount by half to 750 positions.

Corning's investment will increase capacity at the Erwin Diesel facility near the 162-year-old company headquarters in Corning, NY. The Erwin facility manufactures large ceramic substrates and filters for heavy-duty diesel engine truck construction and agricultural equipment manufacturers worldwide. The plant began manufacturing large substrates in 2004, and now also produces particulate filters for heavy-duty applications. The 94,000-square-foot enlargement will be the third expansion in Erwin to accommodate global demand.

“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,” Mark Beck, EVP, Corning Environmental Technologies & Life Sciences Business Group, says in a release. “These investments in our manufacturing capabilities demonstrate our commitment to ensuring a reliable supply of next-generation diesel products to our global customers.”

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.

The state's economic development leaders see In a release, Kenneth Adams, president, CEO and commissioner of the Empire State Development Corp., cites the “laser-like focus” of the Cuomo administration in “opening New York's doors to business and creating an environment where major companies such as Corning can invest and grow. 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.”

There will also be an investment in new heavy-duty finishing operations at Corning (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Corning's wholly owned substrate facility in Shanghai, China. Adding these capabilities marks Corning's first heavy-duty diesel capacity investment in Asia.