Rep. Robert E. Latta toured the Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) manufacturing plant in Findlay, Ohio, to gain a better understanding of what local businesses need to prosper. He also learned from ADS executives how the company identifies employees with the exact skills needed to continue the growth of ADS. 

“I want to thank ADS for allowing me to visit their Findlay facility, which makes a variety of pipes for multiple uses that are distributed not only here in Ohio but across the United States,” said Latta. “For me to be able to represent my district in Congress, it is absolutely essential for me to visit facilities, such as ADS, to hear about the opportunities and obstacles currently facing our job creators. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a very important piece of legislation, H.R. 803, the SKILLS Act (Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills) to reform and modernize federal workforce development programs. Workforce development is critical to revitalizing America’s economy, especially in northwest and west central Ohio, where many world-class manufacturing facilities, such as ADS, are located.” 

Currently, ADS has 3,800 employees and was founded in 1966. ADS designs and manufactures pipe and other products used in municipal storm and sanitary sewers, highway and agricultural drainage projects. Headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, it has a global network of 57 domestic and international manufacturing plants and 28 regional distribution centers plus engineering support and customer service groups. 

Latta’s visit featured a tour of the Findlay plant as it was producing large-diameter, corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe used in stormwater management systems. 

“It was an honor to host Congressman Latta,” stated Tom Fussner, executive vice president and COO of ADS. “We appreciate the opportunity to discuss the needs of our organization and to provide an overview of how we operate, with a focus on our employee development programs.” 

During the past two years, acquisitions and heightened product demand enabled ADS to grow despite the nation’s recent tough economic times. 

“Part of our success is attributed to having manufacturing facilities in every region of the country, as well as throughout the Western Hemisphere,” Fussner continued. “Not only does this make us the largest corrugated pipe producer in the world, but it increases our ability to locally and quickly supply customers with a full range of water management products that help to increase crop yields and meet the demand for pipe and structures used in infrastructure projects.” 

About Advanced Drainage Systems
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS) is a producer of corrugated HDPE pipe. Founded in 1966, it serves the stormwater drainage and onsite industry through a global network of 57 domestic and international manufacturing plants and more than 28 distribution centers. In addition to its flagship N-12 pipe, the company offers a complete line of fittings and other accessories including StormTech stormwater chambers, Nyloplast drainage structures and various geotextiles. For more information, visit www.ads-pipe.com.