Zurn Industries today officially unveiling a new 20,000 square foot engineering lab at its  Pittsburgh Avenue facility in Erie.

A ribbon cutting marked the completion of the project.

It is four times the size of the old lab.

Planning began nearly two years ago.

Zurn began operating in Erie in 1900, making drains and other products that control water.

Company leaders say the new lab will allow the company to be more competitive by developing new products, more quickly.

Product Manager Matt Lawrence said, "So we are actually going to be able to take our product concepts, from concepts to computer to prototype with this lab. Then we will be able to test them here. So we are really going to accelerate our speed to market so we can improve the experience with the customers."

Zurn moved its corporate headquarters from Erie to Milwaukee a few years ago, but the company still has about 130 local employees.

Leaders say the new lab shows the company is committed to Erie.

Zurn-Erie General Manager Scott Burnett said, "It solidifies  the future of Zurn. We have been here since 1900, in this building since 1923. This solidifies our position in the city and the community for a very long time."