AGC Flat
Glass
“We
looked at more than 30 sites in five states before deciding to locate
a $30 million glass coating operation in Washington County. Key
to our decision was this region’s professionalism, aggressiveness
and interest in our company.”
AGC Flat Glass, formerly
AFG Industries, the second largest flat glass manufacturer in North
America, began operations in a new 150,000 sq. ft. facility in the
Oak Park Center for Business and Industry in Abingdon, Virginia
in May 2004.
The plant
produces low-emissivity and solar control glass coatings designed
to reduce energy costs.
“While Washington
County was competitive, the real key in our decision was the interest,
professionalism and aggressiveness of the team from the community
and the state,” said the facility's plant manager when it opened
in 2004.
AGC said the aCorridor
team “made us feel exceptionally welcome” and provided
the company with the confidence that this $30 million capital investment
had found a home that would be very successful.
Virginia Gov. Mark R.
Warner announced in February 2003 the new glass coating operation
would locate in one of the state’s Enterprise Zones in Abingdon.
The Virginia Department of Business Assistance provided workforce
training services.
The company said the region
and the state offer unique assets including “a well-educated
labor force, a solid quality of life for our employees, excellent
transportation for us to ship to our customers, and a solid commitment
from the leadership of the community and the state to make this
successful for all of us.”
AGC Flat Glass North America
is a new name—supported by a 30-year history of leadership in the
North American glass market. Formerly AFG Industries, AGC Flat Glass
North America is a subsidiary of Asahi Glass Company, a global leader
in float glass. AGC produces coatings that are also used to coat
front surface mirrors such as projection televisions, touch panels,
plasma displays and solar panels for geothermal and photovoltaic
uses, and electrochromic coatings for future “smart” windows.
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