Yesterday, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) visited ASHTA Chemical, a leading manufacturer of Potassium Hydroxide, Chlorine, Anhydrous Potassium Carbonate, Liquid Potassium Carbonate, Chloropicrin, and Hydrochloric Acid in Ashtabula. Dave and Ohio State Senator Sean O’Brien, who represents the 32nd District, met with ASHTA President Brad Westfall.

“As co-chair of the House Buy American Caucus, I’m proud to support polices that enable Ohio manufacturers to create well-paying jobs and compete in our increasingly global economy,” said Dave. “I applaud ASHTA’s increasing success as an industry leader in chemical manufacturing and look forward to continuing my work to ensure ASHTA and all Ohio manufacturers have the resources they need to continue driving our nation’s economy.”

ASHTA now employs over 100 employees and their chemicals can be found in a variety of everyday products, from soaps to pharmaceuticals. The plant uses the same process using mercury as they did in the 1960s, and is currently embarking on their $100 million modernization and expansion project. ASHTA’s goal is to improve energy efficiency and eliminate the use of mercury in the manufacturing process.

“I enjoyed touring ASHTA Chemicals today with Congressman Joyce and meeting all the hardworking folks making great products right here in the district,” said Senator O’Brien. “It’s always good to see a local company providing opportunities for employment and economic development here in Northeast Ohio. I look forward to working with them as they continue into what I know will be a bright future.”

The manufacturing industry employs over 12 million Americans nationwide, including more than 685,000 people in the Buckeye workforce. It is a key pillar of Ohio’s economy, accounting for over $100 billion of the state’s economic output. Over 70 percent of the hundreds of thousands of manufacturers in the United States have fewer than 20 employees and as of 2017, small businesses comprised 89 percent of all exporters in Ohio.