The PPS Fairborn facility has undergone a sweeping transformation designed to boost efficiency, expand capacity, and position the plant for future growth.
At the center of the improvements is a new aluminum chemical process that uses advanced chemistry and a larger tank to deliver higher-quality finishes. Strip times that once took up to 12 hours are now reduced to just 1–4 hours. “It’s much faster and significantly better performing,” said PPS General Manager Kyle Jackson. “This change will open up new business opportunities we couldn’t pursue before.”
Capacity is also expanding across other lines. PPS has doubled its steel strip capability with modern equipment that lowers maintenance costs while increasing throughput. A new acid line further boosts productivity across all chemical processes.
The plant itself has been redesigned for efficiency and cleanliness, featuring a new layout, MPW-fabricated tanks, segmented work zones, and heavy-duty ventilation upgrades. “The new layout makes a lot more sense,” said Director of Operations Chris Dickson. “We’ll have designated incoming and outgoing areas, chemical staging zones, and better organization overall. This layout is much more functional and sustainable.”
The rollout is phased, with Phase 1 already in motion. One tank for each process line—steel, aluminum, and acid—is now being brought online, with additional tanks to follow as old systems are removed.
These upgrades are expected to lift capacity by 25–35 percent and improve daily operations. Employees are also being trained on remote-controlled cranes and new systems. “Their jobs are about to get a lot easier,” Dickson said. “We’re using the same chemical processes with more technologically advanced equipment.”
Looking ahead, PPS expects to restart aluminum stripping service soon. “As part of the overhaul, we had to temporarily halt aluminum stripping in order to install the new tanks,” Jackson said. “That pause was challenging for some of our customers in the short term, but it set the stage for a far more capable system.”
With the new processes now coming online, PPS is confident it will meet growth targets within the next year. “PPS Fairborn is going to be a showcase,” Jackson added. “We’ve had a ton of support from MPW, and we’re excited to use this site to generate new business.”