Schott AG officially opened its first manufacturing site in Russia on 26 Sept, together with its Belgian JV partner AGC Flat Glass Europe. Schott Flat Glass Russia processes flat glass for international & local manufacturers of ovens & refrigerators in Russia & the Baltic States. The manufacturing site is located in Bor, near Nizhny Novgorod. "We are the first major EU glass supplier with a brand-name to follow our key accounts into Russia", said Michael Schuhmann, executive vice president of the Business Unit Flat Glass at Schott AG. "We aim to be the clear number-one supplier of flat glass for the home appliance industry in the region & plan further expansions here". The facility currently employs 70 skilled workers for cutting, grinding, drilling, screen printing & thermal toughening of soda-lime glass. By the end of 2008, the number of employees is expected to reach 100 to meet growing regional demand. "Schott Flat Glass Russia is the only manufacturer in Russia to exclusively serve the home appliance industry, thus focusing all of its activities on this clearly defined market segment", said Alexander Shchukin, general director, Schott Flat Glass Russia.
