Schott Plant to Add 150 Jobs

A contract to manufacture transparent glass-ceramic armor for the defense industry will mean adding 150 new jobs by 2010 at its Vincennes facility, Schott North America officials said Tuesday.

The contract was announced during a press conference held yesterday by Schott and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. Germany-based Schott has been a supplier to the Department of Defense for more than 40 years, having established its first manufacturing facility in the US in 1969.

Schott, which currently processes and finishes glass-ceramic cooktops and flat glass for the home appliance industry from its Vincennes facility, will invest $7.2 million over the next few years to fabricate the armored windows that have been selected by Oshkosh to equip its new line of mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles designed specifically for the rugged mountains of Afghanistan.

Schott's transparent and opaque glass and glass-ceramics for armor. (Photo: Schott)

“Schott’s defense business has a strong partnership with both Vincennes and the state of Indiana,” said Gerry Fine, president and CEO of Schott North America. “When a tremendous new opportunity opened up for our DiamondView™ transparent armor, we needed to expand production. The skilled labor pool and valuable relationships we have with the local administration made it easy for Schott to grow right here in Vincennes.”

“Jobs like these, based on innovative new technology, are more likely to endure and grow,” said Daniels.

The 125-year-old company’s main markets include defense, aviation, electronics, optics, solar energy, pharmaceutical packaging, architecture and home appliances. It currently employs approximately 300 in Vincennes and plans to hire additional production and supervisory workers over the next year as it phases in the new line.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Schott North America up to $2.32 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of Vincennes will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Knox County Development Corp.

“This illustrates that Vincennes is a serious competitor with regard to attracting new industry. This is a wonderful decision for Vincennes that will result in new tax base, new jobs and new investment for our community,” said Mayor Al Baldwin.

Schott currently holds world records for producing the world’s thinnest piece of glass, which measures 0.025 mm and is used in medical technology and electronics, and the world’s largest piece of glass, an 8-m-tall mirror used in astronomical observations.

For more information, visit: http://www.us.schott.com/