Glass plant to close temporarily

Verallia North America – St. Gobain Containers announced this week there will be “downtime” at the historic glass plant in Sapulpa located on Oklahoma 66.

“Demand has slowed for several products packaged in glass bottles and jars this year,” said Gina L. Behrman, director, Corporate Communications. “Verallia North America’s plants have been working very hard to overcome these challenges, but its Sapulpa facility is now being impacted. Accordingly, the decision has been made to take downtime beginning on or about Sept. 16 ... which is currently expected to continue through December, given the present weak demand for the beer bottles the plant has been producing for many years and current inventory levels.”

Hundreds of workers face uncertainty following the announcement. Verallia officials could not give an exact number of jobs in limbo.

Behrman said the company is currently in meeting with employee representatives. She would not comment on an exact number of jobs. The Sapulpa facility employs 345 local workers.

She said the lay-offs are temporary.

“Accordingly, it is the intent to drain one of the glass furnaces in Sapulpa, which allows the company to minimize issues during a furnace restart,”?Behrman said. “The Company will continue to monitor sales and inventory levels, as well as explore new opportunities to determine a restart date.”

The historic glass plant began in 1912. It was most famous for its production of Coca-Cola bottles.

Verallia’s 740,000 square foot Sapulpa plant produces 3.3 million glass beer and beverage bottles each day using 960 tons of raw and recycled material daily.

It is common for glass factories to “retool” from time to time.

A former worker said after years of use, the “checker” fire bricks disintegrate. Crews need to go in and bust up what is left of the blocks and then rebuild.

“It’s a hell of a job,”?he said.