Mayor Al McWilliams joined Allan Papp, president of Papp Iron Works, invited guests and dignitaries this morning (Thursday, December 12) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the firm's new Plainfield location at 950 South Second Street.

The 54-year old firm was found in Jersey City by Mr. Papp's father and uncle in 1948. A planned highway project forced the business to make the move from its Jersey City location and an extensive search brought the firm to Plainfield.

The 3.5-acre site with nearly 40,000 square feet of production and office space gives the company the breathing room needed for its expansion. Papp has been involved in some of the biggest and most prestigious construction projects in New Jersey, including the State House complex, NJPAC in Newark, 101 Hudson (currently NJ's tallest building) in Jersey City, and RWJ Medical School in Piscataway.

The firm also has a subsidiary distributing European crafted wrought iron specialties and was honored to provide the impressive wrought iron gates in the Russian Embassy scene in the Oscar-winning film "A Beautiful Mind."

"The city is proud and honored to have you with us," said Mayor McWilliams, "and I want to say that manufacturing is important to Plainfield and we look to bring more manufacturers into our community."