PPG Completes $15 Million Expansion at Sylmar Manufacturing Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

PPG (NYSE:PPG) has completed a $15 million investment in its Sylmar, California facility to enhance production of aircraft transparency technologies for military aviation, specifically for Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets. The 30,000-square-foot expansion includes advanced processing equipment and IT infrastructure, aiming to create over 70 new jobs. The facility's growth is part of PPG's longstanding partnership with Lockheed Martin, enhancing support for the growing F-35 fleet. This strategic move is expected to meet the demanding performance requirements of military aircraft transparency products.

Positive

• Investment of $15 million to expand production capabilities.
• Creation of over 70 new engineering and production jobs.
• Strengthened partnership with Lockheed Martin for F-35 programs.
• Enhanced digital manufacturing capabilities with new tech infrastructure.

Negative

• None.

PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the completion of a $15 million investment at its Sylmar, California manufacturing facility to expand the development and production of aircraft transparency technologies for military aviation programs, including canopy transparencies for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets.

As part of the facility’s 30,000-square-foot (2,787-square-meter) expansion, PPG will deploy state-of-the-art processing equipment and new information technology infrastructure to enable enhanced digital manufacturing capabilities. The expansion also will enable PPG to add more than 70 engineering, production and maintenance jobs, with some filled through the company’s partnership with local charitable organizations such as the Hope Gardens Family Center through Union Rescue Mission.

The facility’s expansion is the latest milestone in PPG’s long partnership with Lockheed Martin, which dates to the 1950s. In support of the expansion, PPG has completed the qualification and manufacturing process approvals necessary to commence production of canopy transparencies for the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A and carrier variance (CV) F-35C. Qualification work in support of the Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) F-35B is underway.

“The expansion of this facility marks an incredible milestone for PPG,” said Brent Wright, PPG global director, aerospace transparencies. “As the worldwide F-35 fleet grows, logistical and industrial support has become increasingly important. Because of the F-35 fighter jet’s very stringent performance requirements and high manufacturing complexity, PPG recognized an opportunity to deploy its expertise in aircraft transparency technology, development and production in a way that will meet the program’s ambitious goals for many years to come.”

In addition to military aircraft transparency products, PPG provides aircraft windshields and windows with advanced-technology coatings and liners for specific performance characteristics to the commercial, regional and general aviation segments. The company also produces windshields for the new NTT INDYCAR® SERIES’ Aeroscreen cockpit protection system.

The Sylmar facility currently has more than 500 employees in various manufacturing, technical, research, customer support and related service and administrative positions.

PPG’s global aerospace business offers coatings, sealants, transparencies, packaging and application systems, and transparent armor, as well as chemical management and other services. For more information, visit www.ppgaerospace.com.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 75 countries and reported net sales of $13.8 billion in 2020. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

INDYCAR is a registered trademark of Brickyard Trademarks, Inc.

CATEGORY Aerospace

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005673/en/

FAQ

What is the recent investment by PPG for its Sylmar facility?

PPG has invested $15 million to expand its Sylmar, California facility for aircraft transparency technologies.

How many jobs will the Sylmar facility expansion create?

The expansion of the Sylmar facility will create over 70 new jobs.

Which military program is PPG enhancing production for?

PPG is enhancing production for Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet program.

What are the benefits of the expansion at the Sylmar facility?

The expansion will improve manufacturing capabilities and support the growing demand for F-35 aircraft transparencies.

What specific technologies will be developed at the Sylmar facility?

The facility will focus on developing canopy transparencies and other aircraft transparency technologies for military aviation.