FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
Whitney Risley
270.854.9455
The machine will create 10 full-time jobs, totaling their employment to over 100 workers.
Henderson, Ky. (August 31, 2023) – Allstate Tower, Inc., an entity of Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group (PTTG), is investing in their facility with an $850,000 commitment to install a CLOOD Robotic Welder, adding 10 full-time jobs to their existing employee count.
“Allstate Tower and Pittsburg Tank & Tower are excited to continue to invest in the Henderson community and our employee owners and know that this investment in new technology and equipment will help facilitate our continued growth,” said Ben Johnston, chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group. “We greatly appreciate the support from our local leaders as well as the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.”
The CLOOS Robotic Welding System will integrate new welding technology with turntable positioners and laser sending technology to produce fast, high-quality welds. After the robot is installed, it is anticipated to run at 55% of its capacity based on a single shift operation. This investment will allow the company to increase output and give the sales team time to pursue more opportunities.
The machine is currently being manufactured in Germany and the company expects it to be delivered in March of 2024. The robot will weld segments for both Tank and Tower components, which will benefit all three of PTTG’s business units.
As Allstate Tower automates equipment, robot operators will receive additional programming and maintenance training to continue upskilling their workforce. The $850,000 expansion project will create 10 full-time jobs, pushing the company’s total employment to 119.
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $150,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $850,000 and annual targets of:
- Creation and maintenance of 10 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years
- Paying an average hourly wage of $30 including benefits across those jobs.
By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
In addition, Allstate Tower can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.
The company believes automation is another step in advancing their business, workforce and community. PTTG is currently hiring, and job seekers can visit https://www.pttg.com/careers/ for more information on employment opportunities.
Henderson Mayor Brad Staton looks forward to the company expanding and growing in the community, providing additional opportunities for the local workforce.
“Our existing businesses mean so much to us,” said Mayor Staton. “I love when we get a chance to support the continued growth and success of the companies who play such an important role in our community and local economy.”
Whitney Risley, director of existing industries and workforce development at Henderson Economic Development, is thrilled for the continued investment in Henderson by Allstate Tower and PTTG.
“This implementation of new technology will allow PTTG to expand product opportunities and workforce skillsets,” said Risley. “We are excited to see what new heights and additional opportunities this expansion will bring.”
Allstate Tower’s investment and planned job creation furthers economic momentum in Henderson County, as manufacturing continues to become more automated and advanced.
Information on Henderson Economic Development’s efforts and programs is available on www.hendersonkyedc.com, Facebook (@Henderson Economic Development) and LinkedIn (@hendersonkyedc).
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About Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group
PTTG is a 104-year-old family business with its headquarters based in Henderson, Kentucky since the early 1980’s. The group consists of three companies that provide engineered products in the manufacturing and construction segments throughout the country’s infrastructure. Pittsburg Tank and Tower constructs elevated and group storage tanks to deliver fresh drinking water to communities and store products such as food, chemicals, gas and oil, fertilizer, and other items. Pittsburg Tank and Tower Maintenance Company, the group’s maintenance division, services all the above-mentioned products through annual inspections, recoating, repairing and modifying, and decommissioning structures when they are no longer needed. Allstate Tower manufactures and installs communications towers that provide paths for all forms of communication across the United States and abroad, including cell phone paths and point to point broadband data transfer for television. Allstate Tower also manufactures for installation a complete line of products to support transfer and storage of grain ranging from small farming operations to larger, industrial corporations.
