New industry-leading ADS Engineering &
Technology Center to add jobs, and expand state-of-the-art
capabilities in
materials science, manufacturing technologies and stormwater and
onsite septic wastewater management
solutions
HILLIARD, Ohio, Aug. 29,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
(ADS) (NYSE: WMS), a leading provider of innovative water
management solutions in the stormwater and onsite septic wastewater
industries and the largest plastic recycler in North America, today announced plans to invest
a total of approximately $65 million
in Hilliard, Ohio, near the
company's existing headquarters. This investment will fund the
development of a nearly 110,000-square-foot industry-leading
Engineering & Technology Center.
"The ADS Engineering & Technology Center will be the most
advanced stormwater engineering center in the world dedicated to
product engineering, material science –– including recycled
plastics –– and manufacturing technologies. This new facility will
accelerate our development of products designed to capture, convey,
store and treat our most precious resource: water," said ADS
President and CEO Scott Barbour. "In
this new center, our team of engineers, scientists, and technicians
will build sustainable solutions that utilize recycled plastics to
improve quality of life in communities across North America."
The company plans to break ground in October at a 17-acre site
at Lyman Drive and Davidson Road. The site is located west of ADS'
Trueman Blvd. headquarters and will have a frontage on I-270.
Barbour said the new facility is expected to open in late 2023.
"Clean water is critical to our economy and quality of life, and
with talent from Ohio, ADS is not
only protecting our water supply but also strengthening its
position as the largest plastic recycler in North America," said Ohio Gov. Mike
DeWine. "The new, cutting-edge facility that ADS is bringing
to Ohio will advance technologies
that preserve our natural resources and improve our environment
while creating 200 new jobs in Hilliard."
The expansion to ADS' engineering and technology operations at
the center will allow the company to consolidate all of the current
product development and testing operations and manufacturing
engineering development into one central location. It will
include:
- A product development lab focused on the full range of a
product's life cycle including:
-
- An area to prepare product samples for testing.
- A fabrication lab to develop prototype parts and test
fixtures.
- A lab to analyze structural performance of prototypes under
different conditions.
- A 3D printing lab to rapidly develop and vet concepts.
- A hydraulics lab that supports ADS' water treatment businesses
including separation, traditional filtration, and low-impact
development filtration.
- An advanced technology lab for manufacturing and engineering
prototyping.
- Materials science laboratories providing:
-
- Extensive performance-based materials test capability.
- Analytic tools to generate structural and chemical information
on investigated materials.
- Extrusion capability for development of next-generation product
formulations.
The Ohio Tax Credit Authority also announced today it will
provide ADS with tax credit assistance to continue the company's
expansion in Hilliard. In return,
the company must invest at least $10.8
million into the project, retain 322 existing jobs currently
in Hilliard, and create 200 new
jobs that would result in $20 million
of new payroll to the state. All told, ADS plans to invest
approximately $65 million in
construction and equipment for the new engineering center.
ADS also received significant assistance from JobsOhio,
Ohio's unique private economic
development corporation, and One
Columbus, its regional economic development partner, in site
selection and connecting ADS with the appropriate economic
development and city partners to ensure successful completion of
the project.
"ADS is an Ohio-headquartered
company that is an industry leader in stormwater solutions and
plastics recycling in the North American market," said JobsOhio
President and CEO J.P. Nauseef.
"These new, state-of-the-art labs will develop innovations that
will sustain our environment, reduce plastic in our landfills, and
create high-demand jobs in the Columbus Region."
"ADS has proudly called Hilliard its home for two decades. The
development of its new Engineering & Technology Center
demonstrates the company's continued investment and commitment to
our city," said Hilliard City
Manager Michelle Crandall. "ADS is
an ideal corporate citizen as a top employer, leader in
sustainability and community partner. We look forward to supporting
the company's growth over the coming years."
Barbour said the building and property will facilitate LEED
Silver certification and be a showpiece for ADS employees,
customers and investors.
"As the largest plastics recycler in North America, utilizing LEED building
techniques supports our commitment to sustainability and advances
progress to meeting ADS' 10-year sustainability goals," said
Barbour. "The design of this facility will also enable safe
observation of the exciting products and technologies that make ADS
the world's leading stormwater and on-site septic wastewater
solutions provider."
About the Company
Advanced Drainage Systems is a leading manufacturer of
innovative stormwater and onsite septic wastewater solutions that
manages the world's most precious resource: water. ADS provides
superior drainage solutions for use in a wide variety of markets
and applications including commercial, residential, infrastructure,
and agriculture. ADS delivers tremendous service to its customers
with the industry's largest company-owned fleet, an expansive sales
team, and a vast manufacturing network of approximately 70
manufacturing plants and 38 distribution centers. ADS is the
largest plastic recycling company in North America, ensuring over half a billion
pounds of plastic is kept out of landfills every year. Founded in
1966, ADS' water management solutions are designed to last for
decades. To learn more, visit the company's website at
www.adspipe.com.
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SOURCE Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.