Nippon Sheet Glass Co. (NSG) said 20 May 2009 that it will cut 6,700 jobs, about 17% of its global work force, by March 2010, which is 900 more than targeted, because of a further drop in demand for construction use & automotive glass. In January the glass manufacturer outlined plans to reduce the workforce by about 5,800 worldwide, with group payroll cut by 4,500 through 31 March 2009. 1,300 of the remaining 2,200 jobs to be cut are in Japan and represent non-full-time positions, the firm said. The company also announced further moves that are expected to reduce costs by JPY 16BN in fiscal 2010, which include the reduction of glass production capacity by about 25%. With regards to float glass furnace plants, three facilities in the UK & other parts of Europe are to be suspended, while others could change over to the manufacture of parts for solar cells.
