PGW has promised to provide 260 jobs once the Elkin plant is fully operational in 2014, and at an average wage 17% higher than the current Surry County average.  The glass producer also agreed to invest $85 million in machinery, equipment and personal property at the new NC plant.   All of this comes with heavy local incentives for the glass manufacturing company, including a $1-per -year lease on the the county owned building.

Brett Willis covered Governor Bev Perdue’s visit to the new facility for the Mt Airy News and describes PGW’s reasons for chosing this region for it’s new operations:

In her announcement, (NC Gov.) Perdue said that PGW was initially attracted to Surry County because of its existing high-skilled workforce, quality of life and well-maintained infrastructure.

Pittsburgh Glass Works Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James D. Wiggins said that his company chose Elkin as the location of its new branch after considering 88 properties in four states.

PPG  (later PGW), has been known as provider of top quality glass products since it’s founding in the late 19th century – and has producing automobile glass since the beginning of automobiles.  As a PGW Prostar glass installer, Deals Glass Services couldn’t be more proud to see this longstanding maker of premium glass products expand their workforce in the lovely state of North Carolina!

The shop is trying to talk you into OEM auto glass, which of course, costs a little more than an aftermarket windshield.  Why should you pay more for a piece of glass than you absolutely have to?  There are a couple of very legitimate reasons that OEM glass is a better choice, and when considered, often overshadow the small difference in price.

From the shop’s point of view, the main difference between OEM and aftermarket glass is quality.  While all windshield manufacturers are required to follow the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,  OEM glass is made with the same tooling and has identical fit and form as the factory installed windshield.  Consumers often notice a difference as well, in the clarity or coloration of the aftermarket glass as opposed to their original auto glass.

And for those hoping to someday trade in their car – dealerships know the difference.  They often refuse to accept cars with aftermarket glass, or subtract the cost of re-replacing the glass from the trade in value.

But the number one reason to choose OEM glass, and paramount to all the others is – Safety.  The windshield is critical in supporting the roof of the automobile in rollover accidents as well as being a component in the personal safety restraint system.  Airbags are meant be be used in conjunction with seat belts and are built to be supported by the windshield, which keeps the airbag in front of the passenger An ill fitting windshield can actually dislodge upon impact, leaving the roof unsupported and the passenger cabin open in those crucial seconds immediately afterwards.

So while it’s up to the customer to decide what is best for them, we think the difference in the value of an OEM windshield greatly outweighs the difference in cost.