Owens-Illinois Announces Plans for New Glass Plant

Owens-Illinois, the largest glass container manufacturer in North America, announced that Windsor, Colorado will be the new location for its newest container facility. Plans for the new plant were first announced in February 2003. Since that time, company officials have worked with local economic development boards, state and local government officials, environmental agencies, as well as civic leaders in northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming to select a site location.

O-I evaluated potential site locations based on operational and logistical criteria including proximity to its customer base and accessibility to natural gas, power, highway, railroad and workforce.

"We are pleased to become part of northern Colorado and the Windsor community. We look forward to working with the state of Colorado, Weld County and the town of Windsor in continuing what we hope to be a successful partnership. Our new high-productivity plant will be among the most efficient glass container plants in the world and will incorporate the latest in O-I glass technology including O-I patented and proprietary machines, environmental technology, equipment, designs and know-how," said Joseph H. Lemieux, Owens-Illinois chairman and CEO.

Construction on the approximately 500,000-square-foot facility will begin once designs are finalized and permit applications are approved. The plant is expected to start production in January 2005. With the new Windsor facility, Owens-Illinois will have 25 glass container manufacturing plants in North America, 19 of which are in the U.S.