Crystal & glassware producer ARC intends to build a EUR 30-50M glassware factory in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, the general director of the French firm Jacques Parissaux said 5 July 2006. The new factory will have a daily production capacity of about 600,000 glassware items or up to 160M items p/a & will use local raw materials, Parissaux said. ARC International is currently looking for a site. The plant could reportedly be built in the special economic zone in the Yelabuga District of Tatarstan. "We consider Tatarstan's government proposal (to build the factory in the special economic zone) as one of the most viable options", Parissaux said. "The final decision on the factory site will be made by the company's management within 2-3 months after all options are studied in detail". He said the factory would be completed within a year of the start of construction. ARC International, which produces 6 million glassware items daily and employs over 18,000 people, has production facilities in seven countries: France, China, Italy, Spain, the UK, the United Arab Emirates and the US, according to the company's web site. It was founded in 1825 in the French town of Arques and has been fully owned by the Durand family since 1916.
