One of the Miami Valley’s largest companies is marking a major milestone.
Since opening in 2014, Fuyao Glass America has grown to more than 1-thousand employees at its Moraine plant.
According to officials here at Fuyao, they’re right on track with what they set out to do almost two years ago. 2 NEWS Reporter Jordan Bowen spoke Fuyao Glass America President John Gauthier who says the milestone is proof of a bright future.
“We’re building a base and that’s what were doing with our workforce,” Gauthier said. “We’re bringing them in. We’re training them. We’re getting them used to operating our equipment and being able to meet the quality levels and efficiency levels that we need to service our customers and be competitive.”
Currently, the plant has about 1,110 workers each day and Gauthier says that number will continue to grow throughout 2016 if all goes according to plan.
“The first phase that we have that’s in operation now is about a quarter of our full capacity and the next phases, we’ll double that and double again by the end of the year,” Gauthier said.
At that time, Gauthier expects to be employing anywhere from 1,600 workers to as many as 2-thousand. Right now, the local plant is producing roughly 4-million auto glass sets annually…and that number is growning as they expand their customer base.
“We’re currently shipping to domesitc suppliers, including domesitc car makers like Hyundai. We’re getting ready to ship to chyrsler and general motors and others. We’ve got programs in the pipe lines fro Honda, BMW, Volkswagen.”
It’s a big change from just a few years ago. thousands of people lost their jobs when GM closed this plant in 2008. It sat nearly empty for years, with businesses nearby shuttered.
According to a statement from Congressman Mike Turner, “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the talented and dedicated workforce in the Dayton area, and our commitment to increasing manufacturing jobs.”
“This such a huge commitment that Fuyao has made to the North American automotive industry,” Gauthier said. “That’s what drove it from the very beginning.”
(Source: WDTN)
