A Chinese-owned glass mill has brought renewed prosperity to communities in Dayton in the U.S. state of Ohio, creating jobs and stabilizing the city's economy.
With plans to begin operations in 2025, Fuyao Glass's new 56,000-square-meter factory is the largest, most technologically and technologically advanced coated glass plant in North America, with a designed annual capacity of 2 million sets of automotive glass.
The facility accompanies Fuyao's first plant in the city, which began operation in 2016 in a facility that previously housed a General Motors plant, helping carry on the city's position within the U.S. auto belt. That factory is currently the world's largest single auto glass factory, with an annual production capacity of 4.5 million sets of supporting auto glass and 4 million pieces of auto parts glass.
According to Wang Junming, vice president of Fuyao Glass America, the new plant will help the company meet the needs of the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry while bringing additional employment opportunities to local residents.
"The plant focuses on the production of coated glass for new energy and high-end vehicles. The new facility is expected to bring 500 new jobs to Dayton. Together with the old factory next door that has been in operation for many years, we will provide 2,500 jobs for Dayton," said Wang.
Fuyao Group has also established manufacturing facilities in Illinois, Michigan and South Carolina, forming a production and service network covering the county's Southeast and Midwest regions. In 2023, Fuyao Glass America's projects achieved operating income accounting for 16.8 percent of the group's total operating income that year.
"In addition to these four manufacturing sites, we have a research and development center in Michigan. The research and development center was developed to meet clients' needs. Through this synchronous development, the product development cycle is shortened and time is saved on local logistics," said Wang.
From raw material supply to product development and manufacturing, Fuyao has carried out a comprehensive upstream and downstream layout in the United States, promoting the development of the local industrial chain.
Meanwhile, local employees said that both plants are bringing significant positive change to Dayton.
"The town is now stable. Small businesses have returned. The local government agencies have all brought their people back to work now and has stabilized this whole area," said Tony Conn, a staff member at Fuyao Glass America.
Chinese glass maker builds new factory in Ohio, bringing stable jobs
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
