William E. Phillips
William E. Phillips, chairman and
wire CEO, and Bill Phillips Jr., president and chief operating officer, were reluctant to provide details Monday about new products or markets, as the company is still in the process of finalizing the paperwork and contracts, although the necessary equipment has already been purchased.
"I can't really go into detail about it but we are looking at a relatively large expansion that will bring some higher tech jobs here and some higher paying jobs here," Bill Phillips Jr. said.
The plant was under the media spotlight Monday afternoon when Gov. Ted Strickland paid a visit, following a trip earlier in the day to Wooster to visit a company there. Companies like Niles Expanded Metals "need to be recognized and celebrated," and need support so they can create jobs and increase employment, the governor said.
"I've been visiting companies and businesses throughout Ohio ever since I've been in the governor's office, but I can tell you that in recent months I'm hearing a more positive message from the business owners," Strickland said. "It seems obvious to me that there's economic activity taking place now, that investments are being made now in Ohio, in a way that was not happening six months ago or eight months
wire ago. So I do believe that we are at the bottom of the recession and we are in a time of recovery."
