East Tennessee Automotive Glass Manufacturer To Shut Down, Hundreds Will Lose Jobs

Image Credit: Carlex Glass America / Facebook

Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –

More than 300 workers are set to lose their jobs in September as one of Monroe County’s largest manufacturers prepares to close its plant.

Carlex Glass America, known for making automotive glass products like windshields, has filed a WARN notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, notifying the state that 325 employees at its Vonore plant will be permanently laid off on September 7.

The company issued a statement last week announcing plans to close the Vonore manufacturing facility and conclude operations by the end of September 2026, saying the decision was made as part of a broader restructuring plan to better support changing customer demand. 

“The decision is part of the company’s broader effort to realign its manufacturing footprint, including significant expansion of its operations in Nashville, to accommodate shifting market dynamics and customer demand. Carlex is committed to supporting affected employees throughout the transition, including opportunities for reassignment at other facilities where available as well as career transition support, resume and interview assistance, and continuation of certain benefits following separation,” the statement reads.

Carlex CEO Ramzi Hermiz said, “This decision was a difficult one because of the enormous contribution of so many amazing team members in Vonore, as well as our ties to the broader community that we have called home and supported for so long, but it in no way reflects a decision to reduce Carlex’s commitment to the State of Tennessee. To the contrary, we are substantially expanding operations in Nashville as part of this overall restructuring. As we do so, we will fully support our affected colleagues in Vonore as they identify and pursue their next career opportunity.”

Affected employees are represented by a union, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor, and East Tennessee’s rapid response team has been notified to begin helping workers with job placement or other services as they prepare for the layoffs.

The Vonore plant was established in 1991 by a joint venture between Carlex and Ford Motor Company before the former acquired the facility outright in 1995. In looking to expand the facility in 2015, Carlex was given a $135,000 FastTrack Grant, pledging to create at least 30 jobs at the Monroe County plant. 

At the time, state officials said the expansion represented a more than $37 million investment into the community, and the groundbreaking ceremony at Carlex’s Tellico West Industrial Park facility was attended by state, Tennessee Valley, Authority, county, and Vonore city officials along with U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann’s office.

Carlex President at the time, James E. Shepherd said the new addition to the plant was crucial to the company’s efforts in the growing laminated side glass window market for the automotive industry while County Mayor Tim Yates and Vonore Mayor Bob Lovingood thanked Carlex for their commitment to the community.

Along with its Nashville operation, which will now be growing, Carlex has an additional Tennessee location in Lebanon and three other facilities across Indiana and Michigan. 

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.