Viracon’s St. George, Utah Facility to Close in April 2013 for Approximately 2 Years

OWATONNA, MN – Viracon, Inc., the nation’s leading single-source architectural glass fabricator, announced plans to temporarily cease operations at the smallest of its three U.S. manufacturing locations.  Viracon announced today that it will close its St. George, Utah plant for approximately two years beginning in mid-April 2013.  The temporary closure will better align overall capacity with the demand expected over the next two years, which can be served from Viracon’s two other U.S. locations.  The company also plans to upgrade the coating capabilities at the St. George plant to expand the plant’s product offerings before reopening.  The plant closing will impact 222employees.

“This was a very difficult but necessary decision that we had hoped to avoid,” said Viracon President Kelly Schuller.  “Our St. George workforce has done a great job, but the prolonged construction downturn required us to act to improve our operating efficiencies and maintain our competitive position.”

Relocation opportunities are being discussed with employees on a case-by-case basis.  The 210,000 square foot St. George manufacturing facility will be retained and improved by Viracon during the closure.  In particular, the company plans to upgrade the coating capabilities at the St. George plant before reopening, as the market recovers, which is expected to be in approximately two years.

Production schedules, deliveries and lead times will be unaffected by the temporary closure.  Production will be absorbed in one of the company’s other two U.S. manufacturing facilities located in Owatonna, Minnesota and Statesboro, Georgia.