What happens next for the employees at Saxonburg Ceramics remained unclear Thursday now that the company's assets were purchased by Du-Co Ceramics.
Du-Co Ceramics, also headquartered in the borough, acquired the rival company's equipment and customer list for an undisclosed amount but will not be buying Saxonburg Ceramics' building or absorbing its workers, according to Du-Co General Manager Lora Cooper Saiber.
Saiber said keeping the other Saxonburg plant open would only duplicate work already being done at Du-Co.
"We are both custom manufacturers of ceramic components for industrial use," Saiber said. "We both work with the same materials."
Du-Co will keep in operation a second Saxonburg Ceramics plant, in Monroe, N.C., Saiber said.
As to what will become of Saxonburg Ceramics' 70,000-square-foot building on Isabella Street and its employees, Saiber referred comments to Saxonburg Ceramics CEO Hank South. South reportedly was out of the office Thursday and did not return a call for comment.
It was unclear how many workers are affected by the sale.
Saxonburg Ceramics was founded in 1924 by George Aderhold. Du-Co Ceramics, now located on Rebecca Street, was founded in 1949 by John Duke and Reldon Cooper -- former Saxonburg Ceramics employees.
Du-Co's 150,000-square-foot plant employs about 185 workers, according to the company's Web site.
Both companies manufacture ceramic products used as electrical insulators. Du-Co also produces ceramic cooking materials.
Additional Information:
On the Web
⢠Du-Co Ceramics ⢠Saxonburg Ceramics
