U.S. Congressman John Murtha Fears Sony May Leave Pennsylvania


Sony currently operates several sites in the state of Pennsylvania, USA. These various facilities contribute to the core of Sony products. For example, the Sony Technology Center in Pittsburgh (pictured above) is where some televisions are put together. The Sony Chemicals facility is a worldwide technology leader that manufactures magnetic recoding material, thermal transfer printing ribbons, adhesives and adhesive tapes, and electronic materials and parts. The aforementioned Sony Technology Center currently employs about 850 people, while the other factories employ similiar numbers.

It’s no secret that the American economy is slumping very hard. Local state economies are doing even worse, and U.S. Congressman of Pennsylvania, John Murtha, said that it is “frustrating” that southwestern Pennsylvania is lagging behind other areas in the state in attracting business. Murtha said that he is concerned that Sony is looking to relocate to Mexico, which would translate into another economic blow to the region.

“Every time we do something it doesn’t have the impact we would like to see,” he said. “We lose jobs, that we shouldn’t have lost and that’s part of the problem.”

We tried reaching John Murtha’s representatives, but they were unable to comment when we published this story. Possibly affected sites:

  • Bristol, Pennsylvania: Sony Service Company – Bristol RRC
  • Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania: Sony Technology Center – Pittsburgh; Sony Chemicals Corporation of America (SCCA); Sony Family Center; American Video Glass Company
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09
Oct 2008
POSTED BY Christopher MacManus
POSTED IN

Corporate

DISCUSSION 4 Comments
  • Michael Koff

    I wanted to clarify some of the points in Mr. McManus’ article regarding Cong. John Murtha’s comments to an editorial board atb the Uniontown (PA) Herald-Standard.

    Congressman Murtha has been a longtime supporter of the Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh and has been kept up-to-date on the developments at the plant from being the first vertically integrated TV plant (going from sand to glass to CRT) in the world through the myriad changes and challenges of technology that has seen the plant go from CRT-based televisions to Bravia flat panel models. As a result, the former American Video Glass Company was closed nearly three years ago as the plant adapted to changes in technology and in the marketplace. Currently, the plant makes the 46″ V and W Bravia models and it is anticipated that additional models may be added in the near future.

    With regard to Sony Chemicals Corporation of America, the parent company, Sony Chemicals & Information Device Company (SCID) recently sold the thermal transfer ribbon assets worldwide to Dai Nippon Printing and they have successfully taken over the space formerly occupied by Sony Chemicals Corporation of America at the southwestern Pennsylvania location and maintained all of the employees.

    The Bristol (PA) Service Company facility near Philadelphia was closed four years ago and the service operations were moved to the Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh. It not only services all televisions east of the Mississippi, but is the national service center for all Blu-Ray players as well as other Sony Products. The Service Center, known as the Pittsburgh Customer Satisfaction Center, is expected to grow in the next year in terms of the products it handles.

    Also anticipating some growth in Mt. Pleasant is Sony Logistics which maintains its major east coast television distribution center at the facility.

  • Michael Koff

    I wanted to clarify some of the points in Mr. McManus’ article regarding Cong. John Murtha’s comments to an editorial board atb the Uniontown (PA) Herald-Standard.

    Congressman Murtha has been a longtime supporter of the Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh and has been kept up-to-date on the developments at the plant from being the first vertically integrated TV plant (going from sand to glass to CRT) in the world through the myriad changes and challenges of technology that has seen the plant go from CRT-based televisions to Bravia flat panel models. As a result, the former American Video Glass Company was closed nearly three years ago as the plant adapted to changes in technology and in the marketplace. Currently, the plant makes the 46″ V and W Bravia models and it is anticipated that additional models may be added in the near future.

    With regard to Sony Chemicals Corporation of America, the parent company, Sony Chemicals & Information Device Company (SCID) recently sold the thermal transfer ribbon assets worldwide to Dai Nippon Printing and they have successfully taken over the space formerly occupied by Sony Chemicals Corporation of America at the southwestern Pennsylvania location and maintained all of the employees.

    The Bristol (PA) Service Company facility near Philadelphia was closed four years ago and the service operations were moved to the Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh. It not only services all televisions east of the Mississippi, but is the national service center for all Blu-Ray players as well as other Sony Products. The Service Center, known as the Pittsburgh Customer Satisfaction Center, is expected to grow in the next year in terms of the products it handles.

    Also anticipating some growth in Mt. Pleasant is Sony Logistics which maintains its major east coast television distribution center at the facility.

  • Pingback: Sony Closes Last TV Manufacturing Facility In USA | Sony Insider

  • Joey G

    Hey Christopher! My name is Joe Giuliano. I am a Stand Up Comedian, a Magician, and I created an iPhone App last year called “ShouliDial” The Dial and Text Sobriety Test http://www.shouldidial.com I saw you article on The NES Breathalyzer which was linked to my University’s Home Page. I also am a Film Student at Full Sail University. Some interesting things about me: I was a US Marine Interregator, I found $114,000 and was featured on Howard Stern, Dave Letterman, and I am in Hustlers, Heros, and Hooligans of NY State by Dan Lynch. My stage name is Joey G and you can check out a few of my things on my you tube channel “JfourG” Thanks man and have an awesome day!

    –Joey G