AGC Glass Plant to Close Permanently

Company officials announced Monday that the AGC Jerry Run flat glass plant, in Bridgeport, will close permanently.

Last month, the plant was put on a "hothold", meaning that production was stopped, but the furnace was kept at a temperature to maintain its structure.

On Monday, the "hothold" ended.

The plant will be put into a "mothball" condition, according to company officials.

It could reopen, in the future, if market demand was great enough, say AGC corporate officials.

Around 180 employees were laid off when the plant was put on "hothold" status.

The remaining 52 employees will stay on, until the plant's inventory is sold off.

Officials believe that will happen by the end of the year.

The closure is "in response to a continuing downturn in the U.S. marketplace for flat glass, especially in the automotive sector," according to a written statement from the company.

The company also laid off 100 employees, Monday, at its Blue Ridge plant in Kingsport, Tenn.

"While necessitated by market forces over which we have no control, we regret the effect this decision has on our Jerry Run and Blue Ridge employees, their families and the local community," said AGC President and CEO Brad Kitterman.