Following up on a strong earnings report from Wednesday, hi-tech glassmaker Corning (GLW -0.23%) offered further details this morning on its plans for the future.
Specifically, Corning announced plans to capitalize upon a coming wave in new environmental regulation of heavy-duty engines in Europe and China, by investing similarly heavily in its production of diesel emissions control products.
Corning says it will spend about $250 million on capital improvements in its Environmental Technologies & Life Sciences Business Group, hoping to double its revenues from the group by 2017. Corning will spend to increase capacity at its Erwin diesel facility, which manufactures large ceramic substrates and filters for heavy-duty diesel engine, truck, construction, and agricultural equipment manufacturers.
However, all this new spending will not affect Corning's forecast for 2013 capital expenditures, the company assured investors. Yesterday, Corning pegged 2013 capex spending at approximately $1.3 billion, down from last year's $1.8 billion. With investments in clean diesel being spread out over the next three years, Corning has already figured this investment into capital spending projections for 2013 and 2014. The company gave no such assurances for 2015, however, when the expanded diesel facilities should go into operation.
