Glass Maker Shuttering Plant

One of the country’s biggest glass makers is shutting down its Orange County plant after a pollution dispute with the South Coast Air Quality Management District couldn’t be resolved.

Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Guardian Industries Corp. said in a statement it would have been too costly to make the requested pollution reduction upgrades to its Fullerton plant.

The air quality district says it offered the company options to continue operating the facility.

“We’ve had ongoing problems with Guardian,” said South Coast Air Quality Management District deputy executive officer Carol Coy. “They didn’t want to comply.”

Complying with the district’s changes would have forced the company to operate the plant at a loss, Guardian said in a release.

“No business can operate in this fashion,” said Peter Walters, Guardian vice president.

Guardian’s Fullerton operation makes patterned glass for shower doors, patio furniture and for solar energy. The manufacturer’s process to make the glass—through a fuel-burning furnace—has been the point of contention with air regulators. It gives off harmful nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide, according to the district.

About 41 people are employed at the Fullerton site. Guardian said it is working to help them find jobs elsewhere.

Guardian, which counts about $5 billion in yearly sales, is owned by William Davidson, who also owns the Detroit Pistons basketball team.

Source: Orange County Business Journal
November 26, 2007

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