November 8, 2018—Axalta celebrated Wednesday the opening of its Global Innovation Center, the largest coatings research and development center in the world.
The 175,000-square foot Global Innovation Center offers virtually unparalleled specialty labs, as well as office space. Its location in Philadelphia's historic Navy Yard enables collaboration among Axalta employees, business partners, and customers throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond.
"Axalta's Global Innovation Center will become the central hub for our global research, product development, and technology initiatives," said Robert Bryant, interim chief executive officer, Axalta.
Bryant and Axalta Chief Technology Officer Barry Snyder were joined at yesterday's ceremony by Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney, and Axalta employees. Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf also provided remarks, heralding Axalta's economic contributions to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with current and future jobs planned for the Global Innovation Center.
The building was designed by Erdy McHenry. The front of the building is reminiscent of the classically inspired buildings preserved in the adjacent historic core of the Navy Yard. The front of the building also features a two-story glass façade to maximize daylight while utilizing angled vanes to reduce glare.