Governor Northam Announces 212 New Jobs in Henry County
~ Press Glass to invest $43.55 million to establish first Virginia manufacturing operation ~
RICHMOND— Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Press Glass, the largest independent flat glass processing operation in Europe, will invest $43.55 million to establish a 280,000-square-foot manufacturing operation in Henry County. Press Glass represents the first company to locate in the county’s Commonwealth Crossing Industrial Park. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project, which will create 212 new jobs.
“We are honored Press Glass has chosen to locate a major manufacturing operation in Henry County and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Governor Northam. “Henry County’s optimal location lets companies easily connect to both domestic and international markets, and the county’s strategic investments in growing its manufacturing workforce have made it even more attractive to companies who want to expand in the U.S. market. Press Glass will be an important addition to the Commonwealth Crossing Industrial Park, and we thank the company for its significant investment and the creation of over 200 new, 21st-century jobs.”
Headquartered in Poczesna, Poland, Press Glass was founded in 1991 and employs 2,100 across its 11 manufacturing operations. As the largest independent flat glass processing operation in Europe, the company processes glass for fabricators of windows and doors, facades, solar and photovoltaic panels, and more.
“This is an exciting win for Henry County, the region, and the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “In addition to offering a pipeline of skilled talent, Henry County’s ability to provide a pad-ready site that accelerates the company’s timeline was a key component in their decision for Virginia. We are proud to welcome Press Glass to the Commonwealth’s corporate roster, and look forward to their future success.”
“This new investment in Henry County is an important step for the company’s growth strategy,” said Press Glass Vice President Michael Lankford. “From this location, the new production facility enables Press Glass to enter a targeted sales territory and market segment. There are many reasons for selecting Henry County and the Commonwealth Crossing. The location of the industrial park is near our existing production facility in Stoneville, North Carolina, which will enable synergy between the two facilities, allowing them to share knowledge, resources, and management. Geographically, the industrial park also allows good access to highways and interstates. The proximity to future Interstate 73 will make transportation of materials more efficient. The industrial park allows opportunity for future growth and continued success. Building a formidable team will be paramount in the success of the operation, and we feel we can build such a team in this area. Working with Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development and the Commonwealth of Virginia reaffirmed this decision. Press Glass is looking forward to a successful future and working closely with the community.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $1 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Henry County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $835,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The company is also eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and Sales and Use tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“Henry County is thrilled to welcome Press Glass to our community,” said Jim Adams, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “Not only do we expand the number of foreign countries represented here, but we also put our first client into Commonwealth Crossing Business Center. It’s baseball season, and this is a grand slam for us.”
“An investment of this magnitude is great news for Henry County and all of Southern Virginia,” said Tobacco Commission member, Delegate Danny Marshall. “That a company like Press Glass is willing to make such a commitment to our area shows that we have the workforce and other assets, like Commonwealth Crossing Industrial Park, to compete on a global scale when it comes to bringing jobs to our region. I look forward to seeing this project get underway and wish Press Glass many years of success here in Henry County.”
“212 new jobs is a big win for our region, and I’d like to thank Press Glass for selecting Henry County for this new manufacturing operation,” said Tobacco Commission member, Senator Bill Stanley. “I’m also pleased to see that Commonwealth Crossing Industrial Park will be receiving its first business. Long term investments like Commonwealth Crossing are the building blocks that allow us to go out and compete for top companies like Press Glass, and today we’ve seen that investment pay dividends.”
