Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 2, 1994 TAG: 9411020055
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Corning, N.Y.-based glass and speciality materials manufacturer said continued growth of the worldwide market for pollution control devices was key to its decision to expand production by January 1996. Corning said it projects a 43 percent increase in worldwide demand for the devices in the next six years.
The plant, referred to by the company as its Blacksburg operation, employs slightly more than 200 and produces Celcor substrates, which are the ceramic filters at the heart of catalytic converters in cars and trucks. The filters help convert carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other auto emissions into carbon dioxide and water.
The expansion is good economic news for both Montgomery County and workers at the plant. The company chose the New River Valley plant to expand over a larger factory in Erwin, N.Y., and a smaller one in Germany largely because there will be a minimal amount of new construction required.
Although plant spokesman John Yearick said the company won't know how many new employees will be hired until mid-1995, a union official said any new hires from adding a fourth production line will increase job security for current workers and help the local economy.
"It's very positive," said Mark Stevers, president of the American Flint Glass Workers Union Local 1022. "It will open up opportunities. ... Looking down through the future of the substrate business, it looks like it's going to grow."
County officials, who had been briefed privately about the plans back as early as summer, were happy. "We think of Corning as a good corporate citizen and we're pleased they decided to expand here," said Nick Rush, vice chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
This will be Corning's second expansion in less than two years for the 29-year-old plant, located off U.S. 460 on the northern edge of Christiansburg. It reopened in 1988 after a four-year shutdown.
Beginning in early 1993, Corning spent $12 million to add a third production line, creating approximately 30 new jobs. That work finished this year.
In June, the company and the union agreed on a three-year contract after workers had earlier rejected two other offers.
"In my opinion, I think that the decision expand here in Blacksburg was impacted by the union contract approval, but that's certainly an unofficial response," Yearick said.
"I think it played a significant role," Stevers said. "Even during the times when the plant had not voted a contract in, the plant never slowed down. ... The people here, they want to work and keep this plant open for as long as we possibly can. We want to see it grow."
by CNB