Ford Teams Up With Japanese Glass Firm in $100-Million Deal

Ford Motor Co. today announced a $100-million joint venture with a Tokyo glass company to build a U.S. plant and supply glass to the North American plants of Japanese car makers.

The 350,000-square-foot plant to be built by Ford and Central Glass Co. Ltd. of Tokyo could ultimately employ about 400 workers to process flat glass from Ford’s North American facilities into windshields, side glass and back lights.

It is the first joint venture for Ford’s Glass Division. Ford will own a 49% stake in the venture, with Central Glass to own 51%.

A site for the plant has not been picked yet.