The historic Charleroi glass plant, a mainstay in producing the iconic Pyrex glassware for 132 years, has ceased operations. According to a report by Audacy, the final batch of glass was produced at 7 a.m. yesterday. Parent company Anchor Hocking, which acquired the plant last year, has closed the facility, signaling the end of an era for a business globally recognized for its Pyrex brand.
Job losses accompany the plant's shuttering, with more than 200 positions being eliminated as the company consolidates operations to its Lancaster, Ohio location. The decision, which had been delayed multiple times due to operational needs, ended the rich manufacturing legacy in Charleroi. WPXI interviews reveal a workforce gripped by sadness and anger, with union representative Danielle Byrne stating, "Angry. Everybody hates Anchor Hocking here. Nobody will buy Anchor Hocking. Nobody will buy Pyrex ever again because it’s not the same quality, it's completely different."
In a poignant tribute to the plant's longevity, employees marked its closure with a ceremonial ringing of the lunch horn, historically sounded at noon, for 132 seconds—one for each year of the plant's operation. This detail was shared in a WATE report, which details the emotional reaction of the workforce and the community.
