Fuyao Glass proposal could bring 200 jobs to new facility

MT. ZION, Ill. (WAND) — Fuyao Glass announced a major expansion proposal that representatives said will make it the largest float glass plant in the country.

Rick Price, the Human Resources Vice President of Fuyao Glass Illinois, announced the plan during the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce State of the Community luncheon Thursday. "Once we get the go-ahead and the plant is up and running, it will create over 200 additional jobs for the community, not to mention contracted jobs while we're under construction," he said.

Price said, pending federal approval, the facility will be built right next to the current facility in Mt. Zion. It will be a duplicate facility with brand-new, up-to-date technology.

Fuyao Glass is an auto glass manufacturer founded in 1987. In 2014, Fuyao purchased the old PPG plant. It brought in hundreds of new employees to help manufacture about 1,200 tons of glass per day to be shipped to manufacturers across the country.

Mirinda Rothrock, President of the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the new facility would bring an economic boost. "You think about the economic impact that an announcement of that caliber makes. Think about the new jobs that will be created, the jobs that then will need homes, will need to buy homes, will be purchasing things from the stores, and gas. That whole economic base builds your tax base builds up. And it's such a great win for Decatur in Macon County," she said.

According to Price, Fuyao provides glass for one in three cars globally.

More information on Fuyao Glass can be found here.