Guardian Industries Corp. plans to close its Floreffe, Pennsylvania float glass plant in 2015, according to a company release. The plant currently produces dark tinted privacy float glass—PrivaGuard and MidnightGray II—for automotive and commercial applications. Guardian intends to shift that production to its Carleton, Michigan, float glass plant.
“Guardian continuously reviews its manufacturing operations to ensure they are positioned for sustainable, long-term growth and to create value for our customers,” said Kevin Baird, president, Guardian Flat Glass. “The company has determined it can best serve its customer base for privacy glass products from its Carleton, Michigan plant.”
Baird continued, “We recognize the impact this will have on our valued employees, and we appreciate the contributions they have made to the plant. We are committed to support and assist them throughout the process.”
Guardian is working with Floreffe’s Union leadership to develop a mutually agreeable plan to help employees during the time of transition. The Floreffe plant currently has about 140 employees.
Carleton’s production of privacy glass will provide customers a single source for a wider range of products and technical services and the flexibility to receive mixed loads, Guardian reports. The facility has access to major transportation hubs to provide efficient export services. It currently produces a full product line of green tints for the automotive segment, as well as float and coated glass products for commercial, residential and other applications.
Privacy glass production will take place at both facilities during a transition period in the middle of 2015 to ensure uninterrupted supply. Customers will not be adversely affected by this transfer, according to the release.
