Carleton Glass Plant Plans Upgrade

Guardian Industries Corp. plans to invest nearly $55 million in rebuilding one of the glass-making lines at its Carleton plant, a move that should preserve about 150 jobs, according to company officials.

The company is seeking a tax break on new equipment from Ash Township and is hoping for other assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

The plant at 14600 Romine Rd. makes a variety of glass for automotive, architectural and consumer goods applications.

Work on rebuilding and upgrading one of the two float-glass lines at the plant is expected to occur in the first three months of next year, said Gerry Hool, plant manager. He said the two lines at the plant are rebuilt regularly. “Typically, we do this every 12 to 18 years depending on certain conditions and variables,” he said.

The line slated for the rebuild was last renovated in 2002, he said.

Ash Township will consider a request for a 50 percent tax exemption on personal property involved in the rebuild during a special meeting at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at Ash Township Hall, 1677 Ready Rd.

 “This is a little bit larger than what they’ve done in the past,” Township Assessor Chris Renius said of the project.

The firm has four current tax abatements with the township, but three of them are expiring at the end of this year. The fourth tax exemption expires in 2015, he said.

The special session will precede the board’s regular meeting at 7.

The Guardian operation at Carleton employs about 460.