Governor Corbett: Luzerne County Manufacturer to Expand, Create 80 New Jobs

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that Certech Inc., a manufacturer of ceramic cores, will create 80 new jobs and retain 185 positions through consolidating an out-of-state operation to its Luzerne County facility.    

"My administration is committed to creating a business climate that encourages companies like Certech to continue growing and creating jobs in Pennsylvania," Corbett said. "This was a competitive project that could have relocated to another location. Our economic development efforts helped to keep 185 jobs in Luzerne County and create 80 new jobs."

The company will close an existing out-of-state facility and consolidate its molded ceramic component operations into its 63,000-square-foot facility in Hanover Township. Certech will also purchase new equipment and train its new employees at the facility.

Certech Inc. received a $346,000 funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development, including $160,000 in job creation tax credits, $36,000 in job training assistance and a $150,000 Pennsylvania First grant. 

"The Certech Facility in Wilkes-Barre has one of the most efficient and experienced teams in North America," said Mike Kuzdzal, vice president and general manager of Certech North America. "As we continue to look for opportunities to improve our customer service levels and offer the best technical and most competitive products to the marketplace, it was a logical decision for us to move work into and create jobs for this site. The Pennsylvania government agencies we worked with to make this happen were extremely helpful and also focused on the growth of this facility."

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. The Governor's Action Team worked with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry to assist Certech's efforts to expand.

"We are thrilled by Certech's decision to expand its Hanover Industrial Estates manufacturing facility," said Larry Newman, vice president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry. "It is very good news, not just because this project brings so many new quality jobs to the Wilkes-Barre area, but also because of what Certech's investment says about Pennsylvania's ongoing competitiveness as a manufacturing location."

Certech Inc., a wholly owned division of Morgan Technical Ceramics and the Morgan Crucible Company, manufactures a broad line of complex injection-molded ceramic components. The components are used during the investment casting of turbine engine blades and vanes for aircraft and power generation, aircraft hardware, pumps, valves and sporting goods.

For more information on Certech Inc., visit www.mtccertech.com.

For more information on the Governor's Action Team and other economic development initiatives in Pennsylvania, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contacts:
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Steven Kratz, DCED; 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor