Axalta announce new global innovation centre
- September 10, 2015
- Posted by: Simon Wait
- Category: Industry News
Axalta Coating Systems announced that its new Global Innovation Center will be located at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia. The 175,000 square foot facility will be home to Axalta’s global research, product development, and technology initiatives and partner with the Company’s other technology centers in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
The project is being developed by Liberty Property Trust and Synterra Partners, and Axalta has entered into a long-term lease agreement for the building. Project construction is expected to be complete in late 2017. Upon reaching full operation in 2018, Axalta will bring at least 190 new jobs to Philadelphia with the possibility of additional positions in the future. Axalta’s global corporate headquarters is already located in Centre City Philadelphia, and its North America headquarters is located in Glen Mills, PA with a customer training centre in Exton, PA.
Axalta chairman and CEO Charlie Shaver, Pennsylvania secretary for Labour and industry Kathy Manderino (representing Governor Wolf), and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced the project at The Navy Yard. Other officials participating in today’s announcement included: Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alan Greenberger, City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, PIDC President John Grady, and Liberty Property Trust Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer William Hankowsky. Chris Lehmann, Principal of Philadelphia’s Science Leadership Academy (SLA), also spoke at the event.
‘Innovation is central to Axalta’s growth and ability to meet the needs of our customers years into the future,’ explained Shaver. ‘Coatings are a critical component of so many everyday products. Cars and other vehicles, motors and electronic components, automotive parts, white goods and countless other materials exposed to the elements rely on coatings to make them not only beautiful, but more durable, energy-efficient, and productive. Our Global Innovation Centre will ensure Axalta sets the pace for coatings technology around the world.’
