After torrential rains caused flooding that forced the temporary closure on Aug. 19 of PPG Industries’ (NYSE: PPG) glass manufacturing operation here, some operations have resumed.

Float glass line No. 1 is fully operating, as is the magnetron sputtering vacuum deposition (MSVD) coater used to make energy-efficient, high-performance glass. The tempering line is expected to be restored to service this week. Efforts to restore production on float glass line No. 2 are projected to take several weeks, with an expected return to service by mid to late October.

Charles Hanley, director of production, PPG Performance Glazings, praised plant employees, who immediately began restoration efforts. “Since the flooding, our people have worked around the clock to restore operations. The threat uncontrolled water poses to a glass plant is significant, and we’re pleased that workers’ efforts to restore operations have proceeded without injury.”

Texas Governor Rick Perry has approved disaster assistance for Wichita County following the flooding. The plant’s basement was flooded, affecting vital equipment and electrical controls that manage vessels operating at temperatures between 1,000 and 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Property damage caused by the storms made it commercially impractical for PPG to meet its customers’ demands and led the company to declare force majeure on all architectural, residential and specialty glass products. PPG continues to work diligently with customers to meet their glass needs.

About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 150 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.