Export Firm Relocating to City's Industrial Park

By Staff Reports
The Tube City Almanac
October 11, 2018
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Manor III is one of the buildings in RIDC's industrial park in McKeesport. (RIDC photo)

A Westmoreland County distributor and manufacturer of equipment used in the nuclear power and mining industries is relocating to McKeesport.

Ralph A. Hiller Company is leasing Manor III, a 12,500-square-foot building at the Industrial Center of McKeesport, said a spokeswoman for RIDC, which owns the property.

The company specializes in valves, tubes, gauges and other devices used to distribute and control steam as well as water and other fluids.

In a prepared statement, Tom Beck, Hiller's general manager, said the company --- currently located near Export --- wanted to stay in the Pittsburgh area and needs room for possible future growth.

“Our business is dependent on the global nuclear market, so while this is currently a lateral move, there is always the potential for future growth,” Beck said. “Should the need to expand arise, we’re confident RIDC will continue to work with us. They’ve made sure this site was usable for us, and I have no doubt they will help us find additional space with industrial and light manufacturing capabilities when the time comes.”

Founded in 1950 as a supplier of components used in hydraulic systems, Hiller now manufactures its own parts, as well as distributing those made by other companies.

Since 2010, Hiller has been a subsidiary of U.K. based Rotork, a worldwide manufacturer of valves, gears, controls and instruments used in a variety of industries. Rotork had sales of more than $842 million (U.S.) last year.

Hiller's move into the Industrial Center of McKeesport --- the business park located at the site of the former U.S. Steel National Works --- comes less than a month after Duquesne-based American Textile Co. announced plans to open a distribution center in the industrial park.

Located at 241 Center St., the building to be occupied by Hiller had previously been used by Consolidated Power, another supplier to the nuclear power industry.

According to public records, Consolidated now lists its McKeesport address as 1000 Industry Road, a different building in the RIDC park.

Hiller will have 16 full-time, on-site employees in McKeesport, an RIDC spokeswoman said.

McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, who welcomed the news about Hiller, said Friday there is a "70 to 75 percent chance" that another new company also will be moving into the RIDC facility soon.

Don Smith, president of RIDC, said the non-profit corporation is trying to maintain "a diverse portfolio of properties" to ensure that suitable sites are available for companies such as Hiller.

“Long-term economic growth in our region hinges on a number of factors, one being the availability of locations for industrial and manufacturing companies,” Smith said in a statement.

RIDC owns more than 2,800 acres of land in 11 industrial parks and manages more than 50 buildings.

In the press release, state Sen. Jim Brewster and state Rep. Austin Davis, both of McKeesport, thanked RIDC and city officials for their efforts to bring Hiller to the city. "Positive partnerships are key to success," Brewster said.

Economic development and growth is not "a job that can be done alone, which is why I'm grateful for what RIDC brings to the table," Davis said.

Originally published October 11, 2018.

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