Guardian Industries Plans Two Major U.S. Plant Expansions as it Ramps Up Global Flat Glass Production and Coating Capabilities

---

Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Guardian Industries Corporation (Auburn Hills, Michigan) is continuing its global strategy to expand flat glass coating capabilities adjacent to its existing float glass plants and develop new coatings applications for its flat glass products. Guardian recently announced completion of the world's largest glass coater located adjacent to its existing float glass plant in Luxembourg and is planning two new projects representing over $80 million in new glass coating plants in the U.S.

The company's continued growth over the past five years can be attributed to successful research and development of new products such as low emissivity (low-E), double silver coatings, and other commercial products including reflective and non-reflective coated flat glass.

In early 2001, Guardian began construction of a $35 million expansion to add a new glass coating line at its Geneva, New York float glass plant (Plant 1028620). Plans for the coating line began in 1998 before the $125 million plant, Guardian's newest North American float glass plant, began operating. Guardian utilized Lathrop Company (Maumee, Ohio), a subsidiary of Turner Construction Company (New York, New York), a division of HOCHTIEF Ag (Xetra:HOTG) (Essen, Germany) as its construction manager for both buildings in Geneva. The float glass plant is approximately 820,000 square feet.

Prior to that, Guardian had expanded coating operations at its Corsicana, Texas and Carleton, Michigan float glass plants.

Currently, Guardian has selected Lathrop to perform construction management services for its newest coater addition, a 130,000 square building addition at the company's float glass plant located in Kingsburg, California. The $40 million project will include a new sputter coating line. Lathrop will release the plumbing contracts next week and mechanical & electrical construction contracts for the building will be released in three weeks.

Construction will start as soon as the company receives Fresno country construction permits, which are expected by October 2003. Production of the Kingsburg coater is expected at the end of 2004.

Next on the company's list will be the addition of a $40 million coater at the De Witt, Iowa float glass plant. Construction on that project won't begin until 2004 at the earliest.

Click on the image at right to view the Guardian Industries U.S. Float Glass Plant Table.

In 2002, Guardian completed construction of a new float glass plant in Poland. This Poland site is a candidate for a new coating line at some time in the future. Guardian currently has two new float glass plants under construction. In Goole, England, Guardian is constructing a $180 million float glass plant, which is scheduled to begin operations late this year. The company is also constructing a new $120 million plant in Balsa Nova, Brazil.