Hilliard Powerhouse Pioneers Water Management with $65 Million Tech Center
Local manufacturer and recycling leader ADS opens new research facility to drive advancements in storm water and eco-friendly infrastructure
Just one word: Plastics
Those *four* words were said to Dustin Hoffman (as Benjamin Braddock) is the 1967 film, The Graduate, an iconic movie for many reasons other than plastic.
Still, the founders of Hilliard-based Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. knew about the significance of the plastics revolution before those words were ever said on the Silver Screen.
Hilliard is home to ADS, a leading manufacturer in storm water solutions and one of the largest plastic recycling companies in North America.
Ron Martin and Marty Sixt, engineers who saw an opportunity to develop new ways to manage water for agriculture uses, founded Advance Drainage Systems in 1966.
Today, the company is a leading manufacturer of innovative storm water and on-site septic wastewater solutions that manages the world’s most precious resource: water.
The storm water management systems are typically underground and use materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene; ADS built the storm water management system for the Hilliard Recreation and Wellness campus set to open next year.
On Oct. 22, the company celebrated a ribbon-cutting for the opening of its $65 million, 110,000-square-foot research-and-testing facility, built on 17 acres at Davidson Road and Lyman Drive, on the west side of Interstate 270, near its current corporate headquarters.
Those headquarters have been at 4640 Trueman Boulevard, on the east side of Trueman Boulevard, for more than 20 years but ADS has announced its intent to relocate its headquarters to TruePointe, a 52-acre mixed-use development under construction on the west side of Trueman Boulevard just south of Davidson Road and east of Interstate 270.
The ADS engineering and Technology Center will include:
A product development lab focused on the full range of a product’s lifecycle.
A 90,000 gallon, closed-loop recyclable water system allowing ADS to replicate real-world conditions by sending water through products under scenarios that the company can alter and control.
A hydraulics lab that supports ADS’ water treatment businesses including separation, traditional filtration and low-impact development filtration.
An advanced technology lab for manufacturing, controls and engineering prototyping.
Materials science laboratories providing extensive performance-based materials test capability.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, U.S. Rep Mike Carey, Hilliard City manager Michelle Crandall and ADS executives were among those to participate in the ceremony.
“The ADS Engineering and Technology Center is dedicated to product engineering, materials science and manufacturing technologies with the express purpose of developing advanced storm water solutions that manage water and protect our communities,” ADS President and CEO Scott Barbour said.
“Bringing our team of engineers, scientists, and technicians together in this state-of-the-art facility allows new opportunities for collaboration and innovation in how we design and develop products, materials and manufacturing technologies to meet the storm water management needs of customers and communities,” Barbour said.
Husted said ADS is a “proven innovator” that recycled approximately 540 million pounds of plastic last year, roughly equivalent to recycling nearly 5 billion plastic bottles.
“This effort minimizes environmental impact and helps create sustainable infrastructure products. The research at this new facility will advance technologies that preserve and enhance our natural resources and create 200 new jobs in Ohio,” Husted said.
A press release announcing the formal opening of the center states, “The investment in the ADS engineering and Technology Center enables these new innovations, and as one of the largest recycling companies in North America, the company provides environmentally sustainable solutions that create a circular economy and reduce the carbon footprint of water infrastructure.”
To learn more about the company, visit the Company’s website at www.adspipe.com.