The week’s business headlines

PPG to downsize glass business; announces sale of original glass plant
Officials at PPG Industries Inc. of Pittsburgh want to sell the company’s first glass plant that opened in 1883 in East Deer Township, Pa., according to a centredaily.com article dated April 20.

CEO Charles Bunch said the company is looking to sell or downsize its glass business, and its future growth will be in its coatings and optical businesses, according to the article ... read more

Pilkington receives EU statement on anti-trust charge
Officials at Japan's Nippon Sheet Glass said the company’s United Kingdom-based subsidiary Pilkington received a further statement of objections from the European Commission over alleged anti-competitive activity, according to an April 23 Reuters article ... read more

Fire at Connecticut glass company considered arson
The early morning, three-alarm fire that damaged part of the Middletown Plate Glass building in Middletown, Conn., April 20, is thought to be arson, according to a same-day Hartford Courant article.

A state trooper examined the scene with his trained dog that sensed an accelerant, such as gasoline or kerosene, according to the article … read more

Efco sponsors online seminars
Officials at Efco Corp. of Monett, Mo., announced the company is sponsoring two free online educational seminars for architects, engineers and other construction professionals on AECDaily.com, according to an April 20 company release … read more

Kyro Corp. names new head of global sales
Officials from Finland’s Kyro Corp. announced the appointment of Paolo Ceni as new managing director for Bavelloni, manufacturer of glass and stone pre-processing machines and tools, according to an April 13 company release.

Four days later, officials announced that Kaj Appelberg, Glaston's head of global sales and Bavelloni’s acting managing director, has left the Kyro Group effective immediately, according to an April 19 Kyro release.

Asbestos removal firm pleads guilty in OSHA  violation
American Asbestos Control Co. of Cranberry, Pa., pleaded guilty April 12 in federal court to willful violation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations causing a North Carolina roofer’s death, according to an April 13 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article.

On April 18, 2005, the roofer fell through a glass skylight of a plant owned by WorldClass Processing Corp., Ambridge, Pa., according to the article ... read more