Key Industries

Smooth sailing for an abrasives leader

A big birthday cake and catered barbecue were served for all three worker shifts when Saint-Gobain Abrasives’ Stephenville production facility celebrated its 40th anniversary recently. Back in the 1970s when the operation opened its doors here, making abrasives for the industrial, auto and consumer markets, other big manufacturers around the nation were looking toward overseas markets for perceived better deals as the offshoring trend began. Saint-Gobain, however, saw that product excellence made possible by a committed and skilled workforce, plus rapid cost-efficient shipment from a strategic location, made Stephenville the place to stay and prosper.

For the birthday celebration the city of Stephenville created a special video tribute featuring the personal thanks and congratulations of a number of community leaders, including this district’s Congressman. The video’s message centered on the importance of each worker’s contribution and the vital overall contribution of the company to Stephenville; a live radio remote broadcast turned the celebration into a city-wide event.

The highest quality, low costs and fast delivery—Saint-Gobain has been able to “have its cake and eat it, too,” leveraging Stephenville advantages in a rewarding 40-year history that points the company toward even greater success in the future.

And that’s a pretty sweet deal.