Guardian Welcomes President Fox to Launch of Mexican Float Glass Plant

Mark LaCasse, managing director of Guardian’s Latin American operations and Querétaro’s Governor, Francisco Garrido, accompanied President Fox during his tour of Guardian’s state-of-the-art glass manufacturing facility.“We are honored that President Fox and Governor Garrido could join us,” said Russ Ebeid, president of Guardian’s glass group. “Their presence underlines the significance of Guardian’s investment in Mexico.” Ebeid went on to thank Mexican Secretary of the Economy Fernando Canales and the mayor of El Marqués, José Gómez Güemez, for their assistance in the construction and launch of the plant. Construction of the $120 million manufacturing facility began in late July of 2003 and was completed 1 year later when the first ribbon of glass was pulled in August of 2004.The 12-month construction period made this plant the fastest float glass plant ever built by Guardian and reflects the competence of the Mexican construction industry and its workers. Following an extensive search that included other countries in the region and several Mexican states, Guardian chose to build in El Marqués based on its proximity to customers, a strong and energetic workforce and cooperative state and municipal governments.

“Guardian has established aggressive goals for world class quality and service in Mexico,” said LaCasse. “We will load and ship trucks 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to provide just-in-time service to our customers. We are excited about serving our Mexican customers as well as export customers throughout Latin America.”

The Mexican facility employs approximately 300 people and produces about 650 tons of glass daily. Additionally, the plant will generate as many as 1,000 more jobs in related supplier and logistics industries. The plant joins other Guardian glass making operations in Brazil and Venezuela allowing the company to provide a full range of glass products to its Latin American customers.