Glass-Making Plant in Jenkins Township, Pa., Hurt by Overseas Competition

Date: 4 July 2003

Pa.--Techneglas eliminated 50 positions at its Jenkins Township on Tuesday as the struggling company continues to look for ways to deal with stiff overseas competition, officials said Wednesday.

The Ohio-based company eliminated a total of 95 workers companywide Tuesday.

Techneglas officials had predicted job layoffs as early as last month.

"It's a real tough time," said Joe Schaeufele, vice president of manufacturing and engineering.

The 50 cutbacks will help the company stay competitive in manufacturing services, he said. The laid-off workers will receive severance packages and outplacement services, he said, declining to be specific.

The layoffs do not come as a surprise.

In June, officials said the company will produce its glass products with fewer workers as it tries to streamline its operations.

Techneglas faces growing competition from exporters in China and Malaysia, Schaeufele said.

Techneglas' parent company is the Nippon Electric Glass of Japan.

Motoharu Matsumoto, former manager of global sales for Nippon, was named president and chief executive officer of Techneglas last month.

"When the new CEO came in, his focus was to refocus our efficiencies," Schaeufele said.

Since early last year, the Jenkins Township plant has laid off about 300 workers. Techneglas employs about 1,500 people between its local plant and its Ohio operations. The Jenkins Township facility has the largest share of employees at nearly 1,000.

600450 Glass-Making Plant in Jenkins Township, Pa., Hurt by Overseas Competition glassonweb.com

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