Pilkington Facility Among IndustryWeek's Top 25 Plants

    NILES, Mich., June 8 Pilkington North America's automotive
glass encapsulation facility in Niles, Michigan has been named by IndustryWeek
magazine as one of the Top 25 Manufacturing Plants in the United States.
 
   IndustryWeek, a general business publication that focuses on the
challenges faced by executives of global manufacturing enterprises, made the
announcement June 6.

    "This is an extremely prestigious honor and one Pilkington is very proud
of," said Warren Knowlton, Pilkington's President, Automotive and Aerospace
Worldwide.  "The competition is designed to recognize plants that are on the
leading edge and have world-class manufacturing operations."

    Niles Plant Manager Doug Wait commended all of the nearly 200 associates
who work at the four-year-old facility, about 10 miles north of South Bend,
Indiana. Associates produce automotive glass modules for original equipment
and after-market customers by injection molding or applying plastic trim to
the glass to make sunroof, rear and side lites.

    "To be recognized as the Top 25 validates the commitment and dedication of
past and present members of the Niles team, " Wait said. "The vision for the
plant has always been one of finding creative means to be a world-class
manufacturer. Niles is a terrific plant with terrific people and I look
forward to what the future brings."

    According to award guidelines, the panel looks for evidence of excellence
in a variety of manufacturing areas including strong safety and quality
systems, customer focus and effective supplier-partnership programs.  Judges
also look for extensive employee involvement and empowerment programs and
high-performance work teams.

    The top 25 plants were selected from 318 nominees, guidelines state, and
the list will be narrowed further to IndustryWeek's Top 10 Manufacturing
Plants. The Top 10 award is traditionally announced in October.