Guardian to build $220 million float glass plant in Russia

Guardian Industries Corp., Auburn Hills, Mich.,plans to build a float glass manufacturing plant in Krasny Sulin (Rostov region), Russia. The $220 million plant will be Guardian's largest, producing 900 tons of glass per day, and will include a technologically advanced glass coater, according to a Feb. 24 release.

The Rostov plant will produce Guardian’s high-performance, energy-efficient ClimaGuard (residential) and SunGuard (commercial) glass products.The plant is expected to begin operation in mid-2012, based on fulfillment of all incentives and agreements with local authorities, and will initially create 300 new jobs.

Located 594 miles from Moscow in the southern part of Russia along the Azov Sea, Rostov is a good fit for Guardian’s growth strategy to supply glass to Russia and neighboring countries, according to the release. In 2008, Guardian began production at its plant in Ryazan, Russia, serving the greater Moscow region. Guardian presently operates facilities in Hungary, eastern Germany and Poland, among other European locations.

Guardian officials said they have been exploring the Rostov business opportunity over the past few years and are pleased to have reached this agreement.

“We appreciate the outstanding support we received from Rostov Governor Golubev and his administration,” said Guardian Glass Group President Russell Ebeid in the release. “It is evident that they view new investment as a priority, and the government works hard to streamline the development process to attract new projects that will create new jobs. Guardian is bullish on Russia given the excellent growth at our first plant in Ryazan and the customers we have in the country. The timing is right for the region and for Guardian.”

“We have enjoyed strong support in Russia from both the government and a wide variety of customers,” said Lajos Sapi, Guardian vice president of Central and Eastern Europe, in the release. “We look forward to continued growth in the country as we work closely with our customers and suppliers.”