11 February 1999: US-based PPG Industries“ fibre glass research, technical services and engineering functions are merging in a new science and technology organization to strengthen synergies and effi…
11 February 1999: US-based PPG Industries“ fibre glass research, technical services and engineering functions are merging in a new science and technology organization to strengthen synergies and efficiency, while aligning these activities more closely and cost effectively with global business strategies. According to a recent report, about 56 fibre glass scientists, engineers and technicians will transfer to technical facilities in North Carolina and the Pittsburgh area from the O“Hara Township research centre, which will close by mid 1999. As a consequence of the functional restructuring and the 25 January 1999 shutdown of the research centre“s melting furnace, 25 jobs would be eliminated at the O“Hara facility. 27 scientists and engineers will relocate to the technology centre near the fibre glass plant at Shelby, North Carolina, and 12 will move to a similar centre at the Lexington, Northa Carolina, plant. PPG Industries is a producer of continuous strand fibre glass, used in reinforced plastics, electronic circuit boards and other applications. The company, which earned US$ 801 million on sales of US$ 7.5 billion in 1998, is also a producer of coatings, flat glass and chemicals.