“With the major focus being the employees right now, I’ve spoken with Enfield Mayor Barbara Simmons and others this morning regarding support and assistance for the employees,” Halifax County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Cathy Scott wrote in a memo to numerous county and city officials Monday. “We have companies in the area that are hiring now (Enfield Timber) and will be hiring in the very near future (Klausner, Swelect) and we will work closely with Safelite to direct their employees to these new opportunities as well as other resources and assistance to help them in this transition.”
The county had worked with the state, town, Golden LEAF “and other partners to assemble a package of financial and other resources to support the retention of Safelite’s operations here,” Scott wrote.”However, the company has made a decision to take advantage of existing production capacity in other plants such as the new Fuyoa Glass America plant in Ohio, Pilkington Glass, and Pittsburgh Glass Works in Elkin, NC … (Safelite Vice President of Manufacturing and Distribution Rich) Glover indicated he appreciated the support of Halifax County and that there was nothing we could have done or that we can do now to change Safelite’s decision.”
Scott said in the memo Glover called her Monday morning to let her know “that it is no longer feasible to continue in manufacturing and the company will cease manufacturing operations in Enfield effective October 10, 2016.”

(The company news release and accompanying FAQ is included as a PDF attachment at the end of this story)

The closing will affect 200 employees, the county said, while the company said in its statement that number is 210.
“Union officials were notified on Friday and Safelite manufacturing employees were told (Monday),” Scott wrote. “The company will assist employees in finding other jobs, including continuing employment with Safelite if they are willing to relocate and Fuyao Glass America in Ohio will consider employment for some as well.”
With the announcement, Scott said the production facility will be on the market after October 10. “I will be working with Randy Randolph, director of real estate for Safelite, in advertising the building for sale to recruit new manufacturing opportunities at this location.”
The building is 318,478 square feet on approximately 18 acres of land. Ceiling heights of 18- to 24-feet are in the manufacturing area and 20- to 30-feet in the distribution area. “These ceiling heights, infrastructure, and overall good condition of the building will work in our favor in recruiting other manufacturing/distribution operations,” Scott said.
Safelite embargoed its official news release on the plant closing until 5 p.m. Monday, although the trade publication glassBYTES.com had what it called an exclusive story on its website posted earlier in the day.
Safelite CEO Tom Feeney said in the statement the company employs 210 people responsible for manufacturing approximately 1 million replacement windshields a year.
“Today, as we focus our investments on achieving our vision to become the greatest, most trusted and admired service brand, it is no longer feasible for us to sustain the continual investments needed to outfit the plant for complex future windshield designs,” Feeney said in the press release.“Our supply partners have the size and capability to offer better product development capabilities, a more competitive rate, and they are continually investing in future vehicle glass technology.”
Safelite has been manufacturing vehicle glass since 1947, and the Enfield plant first opened in 1970.
The press release backs what Scott said in her memo that the county and other officials tried to intervene.
“This decision is by no means a reflection of the community, our associates, or our products,” said Feeney. “We are proud of the work at our manufacturing plant and made every effort to find solutions to remain open. We worked with many state, county and local officials along the way, and we thank them for their partnership. North Carolina has many jobs of the future on the way, and we hope our people will find gainful employment either through these new opportunities or others within Safelite.”
To help employees impacted, Safelite will provide separation packages, refer workers to positions within and outside of Safelite, and offer relocation assistance.
“While windshield manufacturing is no longer optimal for Safelite, the company remains in a growth stage. During the last five years, Safelite has created more than 6,000 jobs across the U.S., with additional job growth projected, particularly in claims management and vehicle glass repair and replacement,” the statement said.

Included in the press kit was a list of frequently asked questions about the plant closing.

They are as follows:
1. What was done to try to find a way to keep the plant open?
Safelite has continually engaged with municipal, county and state leaders to seek solutions to the complex challenges facing our manufacturing plant. Unfortunately, a viable solution could not be identified among all involved. Safelite also looked for opportunities to sell the manufacturing operation.
2. What is being done for associates who are impacted by the closing?
As a people-focused organization, Safelite is doing several things to support our impacted associates including separation packages, job placement and relocation assistance for positions within and outside of Safelite, obtaining government aid and providing benefits, counseling and support services beyond our closing date.
3. What is the timeline and process for shutting down the plant? Will you move to one shift through October?
We intend to phase out manufacturing by October 10, 2016. Currently, the first staff reduction is planned for September 23 before final closing on October 10. This is subject to change.
4. What does this mean for the Enfield community?
This will indeed be a challenge for the community, but the area has opportunities for the future. Fortunately, with SWELECT Energy Systems and CSX moving in, there will be roughly 450 new jobs by 2020, which we hope will help the local economy immensely.
5. What will happen to the plant facility?
Safelite owns the property, and it will be listed for sale.
6. What will happen to inventory and equipment?
We will move all finished goods to our Braselton distribution center. We will try to consume as much raw materials as absolutely possible between now and Oct. 10. Equipment will be listed for sale.
7. Where will Safelite get the windshields that were being manufactured at Enfield?
They will be purchased from existing suppliers both in the U.S. and around the globe.