Re:Build begins manufacturing operations in completed 1st phase of New Kensington park

A little over a year after the announcement of an $81 million investment in New Kensington, the first phase of Re:Build Manufacturing’s facility is complete.

It consists of about 100,000 square feet of space in the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park, which spans New Kensington and Arnold along the Allegheny River, said Steven Alschuler, spokesman for the Regional Industrial Development Corp..

RIDC and the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. acquired the park from New Kensington’s redevelopment authority in October 2023.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was among state and local leaders who announced the investment in the city at Acrisure Stadium in May 2023. Based in Massachusetts, Re:Build, a contract manufacturer with a goal of revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing base, says it could employ 300 people at the park by 2026.

Although two phases of the project remain to be completed, Re:Build has started manufacturing operations at the park, according to RIDC. A Re:Build spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

In an October update, a Re:Build representative said they had plans to start by producing softball bats and satellite components. However, a spokeswoman said earlier this year that the softball bat project had been canceled.

New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo said Re:Build’s progress is “exciting and encouraging.”

“The outdated elements of the buildings have been removed and replaced with modern efficient conditions,” Guzzo said. “It’s really exciting and encouraging that they are well on their way to creating a thriving, successful and sustainable U.S. manufacturing base right here at the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park.

“They are making a dedicated effort to reaching out and hiring local people from the Alle-Kiski Valley, and we are greatly appreciative.”

Positions Re:Build was hiring for on Monday included a supplier quality engineer, site controller, senior systems engineer, composite team lead and technician, welding and fabrication lead, business operations senior manager and a CMM programmer.

RIDC has started the second phase of the project, which Alschuler said will use about 55,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space. It is scheduled to be completed toward the end of this year.

The last piece, about 15,000 square feet of office space, is scheduled for early 2025, he said.