Custom Glass Solutions expanding, adding jobs

Custom Glass Solutions, which touts itself as North America's top producer of large-format, laminated glass systems, has growth projects planned that will bring 148 new full-time jobs to its locations in Fostoria and Upper Sandusky, according to an announcement from the Regional Growth Partnership of Northwest Ohio.The total investment of $25 million in expansions at the two manufacturing locations will result in a new annual payroll of nearly $64 million, excluding benefits, the announcement said.According to the RGP announcement, Custom Glass Solutions will also retain 419 existing jobs and make significant investments in fixed assets at both facilities.Deana Piekos, Custom Glass Solutions' director of human relations, said part of the projects will enable workers to become credentialed in the work that they have mastered for any future reference in which it would benefit them.Custom Glass Solutions currently employs 500 people in its facilities in Fostoria, Upper Sandusky and Worthington. The company has been in Upper Sandusky since 1974 and in Fostoria since 2019.Piekos said she was unable to say how many new jobs would become available in Fostoria or Upper Sandusky specifically, but "Fostoria has the largest opportunity for expansion because Upper Sandusky is mostly full."Renee Smith, president of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, said she has been pleased with the relationship developed between the city and the company. FEDC worked with Custom Glass Solutions, the Wyandot County Office of Economic Development, the RGP and JobsOhio to identify project needs, the RGP announcement said."It has been a pleasure to work with Custom Glass Solutions," Smith said. "CGS is an innovative company who continues to invest in Fostoria and Northwest Ohio. This recent announcement is exciting for all who have been involved and we appreciate Custom Glass Solutions' continued involvement and investment."Said Piekos: "That community has been good with us and for us."The announcement from the Regional Group Partnership said Custom Glass Solutions has received an economic development grant from JobsOhio for fixed asset investment and talent-acquisition services in support of workforce recruitment and retention.It also received a $375,000 award from the Ohio Development Services Agency for reimbursable wages from the Incumbent Worker Training Program last November, according to the announcement.Greg Moon, executive director of the Wyandot County Office of Economic Development, was quoted in the RGP announcement as saying: "Custom Glass Solutions has been a fantastic supporter of the Wyandot County community for many decades, and this most recent project shows its ongoing commitment to local profitable growth for years to come."