Pilkington Rationalizes North American Auto Glass Operations

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The following in an advisory by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Glassmaker Pilkington plc (Saint Helens, United Kingdom) is in the process of closing one of its eleven U.S. glass plants. The closing, first announced in June of 1999, was originally scheduled for 2000 and then 2001, but was delayed due to market conditions. The decision to close the plant is part of a company-wide strategy to make their operations more efficient and reduce overcapacity issues in North America.

Last week, Pilkington closed its Sherman, Texas original equipment automotive division plant, which produced glass windshields for automobiles. The plant was closed mainly due to high transportation costs associated with shipping windshields to General Motors automotive assembly plants located in Michigan. Production for the plant has been shifted to other plants closer to automotive assembly plants located in Michigan.

The 450,000 sqft Sherman plant first started windshield manufacturing in 1979, and employed 380 people. Some of the plant's machinery, which included windshield fabrication, laminating, and tempering equipment, is being sold off while other pieces will be moved to other manufacturing plants.

Founded in 1826, Pilkington plc is one of the world's largest manufacturers of glass products for the building, automotive, and technical markets with manufacturing operations in 25 countries on six continents.