Governor Kaine Announces Israeli Company's First U.S. Facility in Greensville County

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Oran Safety Glass (OSG), Israel’s leading flat and curved glass processing company, will invest $4.1 million to open its first U.S. facility in Greensville County, creating 50 new jobs. The facility will supply bullet-proof glass for U.S. military vehicles. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.

“The addition of a new international company in Virginia is cause for celebration,” said Governor Kaine. “It is even more noteworthy that Oran Safety Glass opens its first American facility to manufacture a product that will protect our men and women serving in the United States military. I look forward to OSG’s success, and to building further economic ties between Israel and Virginia.”

OSG creates numerous types of glass products for various sectors, implementing some of the most advanced technologies available today. Since 1979, OSG has been providing international clients with a wide range of products for numerous industries and applications.

“The Virginia location serves OSG well, as it is close to our marketing office,” said Gabi Magen, CEO, Oran Safety Glass. “The Virginia Economic Development folks, as well as the Emporia and Greensville County Economic Development teams, worked diligently with us. They showed us the quality of their workforce as well as made us feel welcome in their community. We look forward to starting production as soon as possible to deliver products that will protect U.S. troops who are in harms way.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Greensville County, the Emporia-Greensville Industrial Development Corporation, the Greensville County Industrial Development Authority and the Virginia Israel Advisory Board to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $125,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Greensville County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $125,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, because it is locating in a Virginia Enterprise Zone. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will also support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program. 

"It is especially challenging for a company to make a confident and comfortable decision when expanding for the first time outside of its home country,” said Jeffrey M. Anderson, VEDP Executive Director. “I am pleased that VEDP was able to offer OSG the tools to help the company work through the process to select Virginia as its home in the U.S."

“Greenville County is pleased to welcome OSG to our community,” said Peggy R. Wiley, Greensville County Board of Supervisors chairwoman. “OSG brings many jobs to an area of Southside Virginia that has a high unemployment rate. In addition, the location of OSG will further diversify our economy, making it stronger. We look forward to being part of OSG’s future and we are anxious to demonstrate to them that they have made the best decision on location. Without the assistance of Governor Kaine and the Tobacco Commission, the location of OSG to Greensville County would not have been possible.”