Media Releases

• The VTL is used in large-scale hydropower manufacturing, increasing Voith’s production and project capacity in North America, while demonstrating a commitment to infrastructure investment that contributes to American manufacturing and American jobs 
• The VTL allows Voith to work safer and faster while providing more accurate and timely deliveries for its customers

YORK, Pa. (April 25, 2019) – Voith has enhanced its commitment to the North American hydropower industry with the installation of one of the largest, state-of-the-art vertical machining tools in North America – the Vertical Turning Lathe (VTL). The multi-million dollar investment will allow the U.S. manufacturer to drive its production speed, improve its project capacity and continue to provide quality products for its customers across North America. The addition of the VTL demonstrates Voith’s commitment to infrastructure investment that contributes to American manufacturing and American jobs.

“We officially place into operation one of the largest and newest vertical turning lathes in North America with the capacity to precision machine 200-ton parts up to 10 meters in diameter with the most exacting tolerances required by the hydropower industry,” said Stanley Kocon, President & CEO, Voith Hydro North America, at the inauguration event for the VTL held at Voith Hydro’s North American headquarters in West Manchester Township, Pennsylvania, on April 23. “Few factories, if any, in the United States are capable of manufacturing in the size and scale of this facility, and we've been doing just that in York, Pennsylvania, for over 140 years.”

The VTL is an industrial-scale machine used to lathe hydropower components including large runners and turbines. Though the VTL is a large machine with a table capacity of 200 tons, it performs the highly accurate lathing needed for these components, allowing them to successfully perform through decades of service in the hydroelectricity industry. Beyond its ability to achieve tight tolerances, the VTL will further improve worker and worksite safety through built-in safety features. 

The event was attended by local, state and federal officials and industry representatives including Congressman Scott Perry, State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill; and Linda Church Ciocci, President and CEO of the National Hydropower Association as well as Voith employees. 

“This is near mechanical perfection,” said Congressman Perry of the new VTL. “This could have gone anywhere in the world, but it came right here to York, Pennsylvania. Thank you very much for making the investment in these people, in this dream, in this vision.”

Ciocci recognized the impact that the VTL will have on Voith’s business, the products delivered to its customers and its ability to assist in modernizing the U.S. fleet of hydropower facilities. 

“Of all the events I attend each year, nothing makes me happier than a ribbon-cutting ceremony because they symbolize job growth and industry vitality,” Church Ciocci said. “As I look at Voith's investment, what do I see? Certainly I see the jobs it will sustain. I see the continued investment in this community, in York and its local economy as well. Also, I see Voith’s investment in this industry and I see the faith in hydro's future -- Its recognition of the opportunity that still lies ahead. I see Voith's continued role as a national and global leader within that future.”

According to Kocon, the VTL will not only improve productivity through its state-of-the-art features, but also improve product quality through higher tolerance machining to exacting design parameters required within the hydropower industry. 

To learn more about Voith, its U.S. workforce and its dedication to American manufacturing, please see this video: https://youtu.be/sU9lzPyk2PM

About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has more than 19,000 employees, sales of $5 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe. For more information, visit www.voith.com. 

The Group Division Voith Hydro is part of the Voith Group and a leading full-line supplier as well as trusted partner for equipping hydropower plants. Voith develops customized, long-term solutions and services for large and small hydro plants all over the world. Its portfolio of products and services covers the entire life cycle and all major components for large and small hydro plants, from generators, turbines, pumps and automation systems, right through to spare parts, maintenance and training services, and digital solutions for intelligent hydropower.