Viracon on the upswing

Statesboro plant recognized for pro-employee stance

In this file photo, using a glass manipulator equipped with large suction cups, Viracon employees Charles Burke, left, and Tim Wise, right, among his reflections, rack glass panels unloaded from the line after the heat-treating process. Following an announcement Monday afternoon, the Viracon plant in Statesboro is expected to remain open under new ownership and preserve the jobs of most of the plant’s workforce. - photo by AL HACKLE/Staff

Viracon-Reflected Web — In this file photo, using a glass manipulator equipped with large suction cups, Viracon employees Charles Burke, left, and Tim Wise, right, among his reflections, rack glass panels unloaded from the line after the heat-treating process. Following an announcement Monday afternoon, the Viracon plant in Statesboro is expected to remain open under new ownership and preserve the jobs of most of the plant’s workforce. - photo by AL HACKLE/Staff

After investing $6.1 million on an upgrade of its Statesboro plant during a six-month shutdown in 2012, Viracon continues to rebound and has been hiring. Meanwhile, the architectural glass fabricator also is being recognized for its focus on its employees as people with lives outside work. So Ogeechee Technical College, assisted by the Statesboro -Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce's Industry and Large Business Committee, chose Viracon as the area's nominee for 2014 Georgia Manufacturer of the Year.