State loan will help Latrobe's K Castings update furnace, retain jobs

K Castings, a Latrobe manufacturer of non-ferrous cast metal items for industrial, municipal and residential use, is set to update its furnace with the help of a state loan program.

Gov. Tom Wolf this week announced approval of a loan of more than $123,000 for the company from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, made available through the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland. The loan has a term of 10 years and a fixed interest rate of 1.75%.

It will help replace the company’s two original natural gas-fired furnaces with a more efficient electric furnace.

Replacement of the furnaces — which are used to melt aluminum and brass — is part of close to $250,000 worth of improvements. The company also plans to purchase a welder, a tractor and a Bobcat utility vehicle.

President Blair Adams said the improvements will help the family- owned company retain nine full-time jobs, with hopes of adding to the workforce.

He said the new furnace is “a big upgrade for this company, which has a plant on Lloyd Avenue. It will give us more productivity,” while representing “a move away from fossil fuels.”

As an essential business, K Castings serves clients in the power generation, nuclear and military fields, he said.

Blair and Denise Adams, who is vice president, took over ownership of the 60-year-old company three years ago. They are working to expand sales of customized aluminum and brass signs and address plaques for businesses and homeowners. The plaques are finished at a second building on Unity Street.

In addition, Blair Adams said, “We do a lot of work for the local community.” That includes armrests for benches in downtown Latrobe and at Greater Latrobe School District facilities.

K Castings also has made tee markers used at the Latrobe Country Club. They feature the umbrella logo of late local golfing legend Arnold Palmer.

“Latrobe is expanding with our products,” Adams said.