In its 91st year as a U.S.-headquartered company, Victaulic is eyeing investments to its Lehigh Valley corporate home base to ensure its longevity and ability to compete.
In its 91st year as a U.S.-headquartered company, Victaulic is eyeing investments to its Lehigh Valley corporate home base to ensure its longevity and ability to compete.
“We will be making some investments in both equipment and land, and we are going to invest in upgraded molded machines and automation of assembly of our products,” John Malloy, CEO of Victaulic, said in an exclusive interview with Lehigh Valley Business.
Malloy said the company, which manufactures mechanical pipe-joining solutions at its Forks Township plant and headquarters, is considering building a new type of painting facility in the Lehigh Valley.
Victaulic already incorporates paint that it uses to coat the pipe fittings it produces but would like to establish a new facility. Malloy said it has not been determined where it would be.
“We’ve been shopping for land; that’s on pause,” Malloy said. “We are looking at land very closely right here. We will continue to invest millions in the Valley.”
At the end of the year, he expects to make an announcement regarding the company’s plans.
Malloy said Victaulic is committed to the Lehigh Valley and is close to full capacity at its Lower Macungie plant near Alburtis, which will remain open. The company bought this foundry in 1989 and incorporated the paint line directly into the grinding/inspection process.
By focusing on technology development in advanced manufacturing, Victaulic is continuing to invest in its assembly and distribution facilities as the industry moves further into automation.
“We cast product here and machine it here,” Malloy said. “We are looking at making upgrades to the molding process to make iron.
“Our ability to stay ahead depends on our ability to invest in technology. We invest continuously in engineering; we’ve done very well hiring engineers.”
