Charleroi’s Corelle plant may get new life

There are conflicting reports about a potential reopening that would bring back 250 jobs.

The Corelle Brands glass plant in Charleroi, which shut down in April, may reopen with a new owner.

A source close to current Anchor Hocking employees familiar with the potential transaction told our news partners at WTAE that another company is in the process of completing the purchase.

According to the source, who wished to remain anonymous, the company will invest more than $25 million to renovate the facility and bring back 250 jobs. Environmental testing is reportedly underway so the transaction can be finalized.

“Great news, Charleroi!” Charleroi Councilman Larry Celaschi wrote on Facebook. “A bright new chapter is on the horizon as the Corning/Corelle/Pyrex plant is coming back to life! Over 250 new jobs are on the way, bringing hope, opportunity, and much needed energy to our community. What a blessing. Thank you, Lord!”

Celaschi told WTAE that he hopes this alleged sale is the start of a “renaissance” in Charleroi, and he hopes this replenishes the area. Celaschi also told the MVI that he is excited for the sale and hopes it is legitimate after sources close to the company said the sale is happening.

A source told the Mon Valley Independent that Anchor Hocking employees have informed them they are working with engineering groups to do their due diligence, but cautioned there is a lot more to be done and “nothing is set in stone.”

“From what I know, there is a potential buyer, but that’s all I can say right now,” the source said. “If you were looking at the plant, you’d see some activity, like the core drilling samples and things like that. Today, for instance, if you were nearby you’d have seen a vac truck down there and doing some cleaning. You might see people in and out, but that’s about it.”

While there is excitement about a potential reopening, there is no evidence that an actual sale is going on, according to several Charleroi officials, who find the “he said, she said” too premature amid the fresh closure of the factory.

Charleroi council president Kristin Hopkins-Calcek said they received an email from Celaschi alluding to the sale and stated that he did not disclose any more than what was in the email.

“I cannot find one statement that was made about this,” Hopkins-Calcek said. “We had no idea about it, and I know nothing about it yet. It would be the happiest thing ever if someone is moving into that plant. That is what we have been pushing for all along, but I don’t have any evidence of this. I hope and wish it’s true.”

Hopkins-Calcek added that she called Gov. Josh Shapiro, along with state senators’ and representatives’ offices and no one has any information on a sale. She doesn’t want to give people false hope about it.

Borough Manager Joe Manning said this is the first he has heard of a potential sale, adding that he tried to reach out to Anchor Hocking and anyone involved with no response as of Thursday. He promised to provide information and comments whenever something is confirmed.

Daniele Byrne, vice president of Corelle Brands Charleroi division of United Steelworkers Local 53G, worked at the plant for 35 years. She said she hasn’t heard anything internally about a sale.

“I know nothing, absolutely nothing,” Byrne said. “I know it came across on WTAE. I wish I did know something.”

History

The 132-year-old Corelle Brands facility notified workers in September it planned to close the Charleroi plant and move production to Lancaster, Ohio. Layoffs were expected to start before Christmas, but were delayed until late January.

The company has been known for its production of many things, including Pyrex, the iconic heat- and shatter-resistant glassware that has been a staple in American kitchens for generations.

Pyrex (trademarked as PYREX) is a brand introduced by Corning Inc. In 1998, Corning sold the Pyrex brand name to World Kitchen LLC. The company switched hands in recent years to Instant Brands, which filed for bankruptcy last fall.

In October 2023, Instant Brands announced that following a comprehensive sale process and competitive auction, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas approved the company pursuing the sale of its housewares and appliance businesses to affiliates of Centre Lane Partners, one of Anchor Hocking’s largest stockholders, which officially took over the Charleroi plant in March.

In 2018, Corelle Brands received a $2.5 million grant from the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RCAP) to modernize the world-renown Pyrex brand glassware manufacturing facility in Charleroi.

In November 2018, the facility in Charleroi received the Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence.

In February 2019, Corelle Brands announced a $16 million facility upgrade, supported by the previously announced grant. The upgrades were expected to help retain jobs and also modernize the facility.

Corelle Brands told the state in January it delayed the layoffs to address operational needs in the closure process. A federal judge in November denied an attempt by the state to keep Corelle from moving to Ohio.

Anchor Hocking took over the Charleroi plant in March, and the last day for employees was April 10.

Anchor Hocking did not respond to the Mon Valley Independent’s request for comment as of press time Thursday.