A 120-year tradition of glassmaking in Sunderland came to an end on 31 March 2007 when Corning Incorporated ceased production at its plant. One hundred jobs will be lost with the closure of the Wear G…
A 120-year tradition of glassmaking in Sunderland came to an end on 31 March 2007 when Corning Incorporated ceased production at its plant. One hundred jobs will be lost with the closure of the Wear Glass Works. Production at the plant in the Millfield area of the city has been gradually wound down since the closure was confirmed in November 2006. The closure was said to be “regrettable and very sad” by US-owned Corning, and said its decision was to the declining profitability of the plant, which produces glass for scientific and laboratory uses. John O“Hare, communications manager at the company, said 30 March 2007 that Corning would look to support its redundant employees. “This is a sad day for Corning Incorporated, a sad day for the men and women who work at the plant, and a sad day for the city and community, ” he said. Corning“s announcement in 2006 was compounded only weeks later when neighbouring glassmaker Arc International announced it was to end production of Pyrex in Sunderland, with the loss of 240 jobs. Corning has operated the Sunderland facility since 1973, but workers have been making glassware at the plant since entrepreneur James A Jobling took over the site, in 1885. Both Corning and Arc were originally part of the Sunderland Glass Works, which Corning took over in 1973. They were split 21 years later, when the domestic glassware sector of the business was taken on by Newell Rubbermaid, and later by Arc.