A specialty fabricator offering custom glass solutions to numerous markets has announced plans to expand its Northwest Ohio operations.
Paragon Tempered Glass will invest more than $15 million and create 12 new jobs at its Paulding County facility to better meet customer demand. The investment in new machinery will allow the innovative glass fabricator to dramatically improve efficiencies to remain competitive and position for additional growth.
Company President and CEO Dan Wright directly cited the workforce as a significant factor in the decision to expand at the Antwerp location.
"We have a loyal, dedicated group of employees with a strong work ethic. Absolutely workforce was a key decision. They are craftsmen, and I’d put their work up against anyone. Understanding the work ethic of this region, we know we’ll be successful in finding the right people.”
– Dan Wright, President & CEO, Paragon Tempered Glass
Paragon emerged from the 2012 combination of two tempered glass companies in Antwerp and Niles, Mich. The company makes thousands of different glass parts for hundreds of customers across dozens of industries including truck and RV, off-road vehicles, agricultural tractor cabs, and refrigeration for retail grocery stores.
The project will include adding 46,000 square feet of manufacturing space to support a new glass processing line featuring drilling, cutting and edging equipment as well as a tempering furnace.
Wright also recognized the highway system as a benefit for distribution as well as the collaboration working with the economic development community including Paulding County Economic Development, the Regional Growth Partnership and JobsOhio.
“We and our partners at the RGP welcome Paragon Tempered Glass’ continued confidence in its Antwerp workforce, which has strengthened Northwest Ohio’s position as a glass manufacturing and fabricating powerhouse. This investment will bring new jobs and cutting-edge equipment to improve efficiencies for Paragon’s diversifying customer base.”
– J.P. Nauseef, President & CEO, JobsOhio
The expansion is expected to begin this spring with a groundbreaking event to commemorate the occasion.
“An expansion investment of this magnitude in the county helps solidify a bright and continued manufacturing future,” said Tim Copsey, director, Paulding County Economic Development. “Paulding County is a world-class supplier in many industries and that includes safety tempered glass.”
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.