Pipe Manufacturer Expands into McKeesport
McKeesport, PA January 11, 2017
Dura-Bond Industries, a leader in pipe manufacturing and pipe coatings is planning an expansion at RIDC McKeesport. Dura-Bond will activate the 317,000 square foot former US Steel McKeesport Tubular Operations owned by RIDC into a modern pipe manufacturing plant.
Dura-Bond has leased the building and is planning to make significant capital investments along with hiring over 200 hundred new employees. “While the challenge will be great, Dura-Bond believes that there is an opportunity for success in McKeesport. We turned around the former Bethlehem Steel pipe mill in Steelton, PA and are ready to do it again. Our family is firm believer of manufacturing in America and hope more companies building pipeline infrastructure in the USA will buy domestically made pipe. More than 50% of the oil and gas pipe used in the USA comes from overseas and that must change” stated Jason Norris, President of Dura-Bond Industries, Inc.
“We are thrilled to see Dura-Bond expand in the Mon Valley and Allegheny County and are grateful for the creation of job opportunities in the Mon Valley,” stated Rich Fitzgerald, County Executive. “We look forward to continuing to work with the company as they grow in our region.”
RIDC has been redeveloping and remediating the former National Tube site for new manufacturing and commercial companies since 1990. “RIDC takes creative approaches to help support manufacturing companies grow in the region” said Tim White, SVP Development, RIDC.
As part of the planned redevelopment of this plant, new entrances will be created that leverage the past infrastructure investments made by the Commonwealth of PA, Allegheny County and City of McKeesport. “The flyover ramps will allow better transportation access for more job creators like Dura-Bond to locate at this site” said Senator James Brewster.
Included in the redevelopment plans are opportunities to re-align the railroad and provide trail access along the river to McKee’s Point, where the Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers meet. “These improvements will provide McKeesport residents and any trail users better access to explore the amenities our City offers” said Mayor Michael Cherepko.
The investments to redevelop brownfield sites are dependent on a range of partners. RIDC McKeesport has attracted over $60 million of public and private investment to rebuild infrastructure and remediate this brownfield. “RIDC appreciates the collaboration and support from the Commonwealth of PA, Allegheny County and City of McKeesport to continue patient investments in this redevelopment” indicated Don Smith, President, RIDC. “We are grateful to USS for their cooperation in making this deal happen, and delighted to have a great company like Dura-Bond – a resident in our Duquesne Park—on site.”
About Dura-Bond Industries
Dura-Bond Industries was founded in 1960 by J.M. Norris to provide corrosion protection services for manufacturers of steel products at the customers’ facilities. In 1965 Dura-Bond established its headquarters and first coating plant in the historic Western Pennsylvania town of Export.
Dura-Bond Industries controls three wholly-owned companies. Dura-Bond Steel, Inc. is headquartered in Export, PA where it fabricates structural steel for the marine and heavy highway markets. The company also offers protective specialty coatings for steel products. Dura-Bond Pipe, LLC is located in Steelton, PA and manufactures steel line pipe in sizes ranging from 24” to 42”. This company also provides internal and external epoxy coating and double jointing. Dura-Bond Coating, Inc. is based in Duquesne, PA where its facility applies fusion bond epoxy to steel pipe 4” to 36” in diameter. Dura-Bond is API approved for steel pipe manufacturing, holds AISC Level II certification for steel fabrication and is SSPC certified for the application of protective coatings to steel products.
Dura-Bond is a successful business built upon the proud accomplishments of Norris family members past and present and the entire Dura-Bond team. Our family and our company are optimistic that a bright future will continue to grow from this solid foundation.
About RIDC
The mission of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania is to catalyze and support economic growth and high quality job creation through real estate development and finance of projects that advance the public interest. Through public, private and institutional partnerships, RIDC develops real estate to ensure the region can capture emerging and existing growth opportunities across diverse industry sectors.
RIDC has developed industrial and business parks on greenfield and brownfield sites and currently has 11 parks. Today, RIDC owns over 2,800 acres of land in various industrial parks and manages over 50 buildings. There are nearly 6,000 jobs in RIDC’s tenant facilities. RIDC is also the administrator of the Foreign-Trade Zone #33.
