Guardian Celebrates New Russian Float Glass

Guardian Industries celebrated the grand opening of its new float glass facility in Ryazan, Russia today with an open house for federal and local officials, customers, suppliers and employees. Ryazan Governor Oleg Ivanovich Kovalev, former Governor Georgy Shpak and Mayor Oleg Vladimirovich Shishov joined more than 350 guests for the event.

The Ryazan plant produces 750 metric tons of float glass per day. Production is targeted toward residential and commercial construction. According to the company announcement, the plant also features a technologically advanced coating machine, which enables it to manufacture a variety of high-performance coated glass products specifically designed to meet the needs of Guardian's Russian customers, and those of neighboring countries.

Guardian says its investment in Russia is a natural progression following investments in Central and Eastern Europe. It is also the first step in plans for continued growth in the country.

"Ryazan is Guardian's initial entry into the region," says Russ Ebeid, chairman of the board and president of Guardian's Glass Group. "The decision to build in Ryazan fits with our global strategy and our marketing considerations. We are so confident in the opportunities in Russia that we are already in the very early days of planning a second float glass plant in Rostov in Southeast Russia." Guardian also maintains facilities in Oroshaza, Hungary; Thalheim, Germany; and Czestochowa, Poland, among other European locations.

"First we had to understand the business and governmental circumstances that are unique in Russia. We are grateful to have received outstanding support from Ryazan's government officials in doing just that," says Lajos Sapi, Guardian group vice president for Central and Eastern Europe. "It is you and your administrations that have helped us become a part of the local community."

He added that, "The number of residential units in Russia is lower than the European average therefore a promising amount of new home construction has started. We expect it to grow in the coming years. In addition, we can count on the modernization of existing homes in terms of comfort and energy savings. Our plant in Ryazan, with the latest float glass production technology and our wide variety of coatings, can supply quality products on time over the long term. We are looking forward to a great future in Ryazan and Russia."