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Ever since a devastating fire ripped through its Duryea plant last week, the Schott corporation has shown remarkable heart.
Company officials for the German-based maker of specialty glass wasted no time in responding to the disaster, demonstrating concern not only for the operation’s mission, but also for the welfare of their nearly 230 local employees – and even the broader community. So far, it’s been a textbook case of how a global firm can responsibly handle a major setback and poise itself for recovery.
Late last Tuesday afternoon, a blaze broke out within Schott’s main warehouse and quickly spread. An early estimate pegged the loss at a more than $50 million, which included damage to the building, high-tech equipment and products. Thankfully, even though it took more than a hundred firefighters from dozens of companies to extinguish the fire, no injuries were reported; state police investigators indicated they didn’t suspect foul play.
Understandably, workers such as 60-year-old Ed Slusser, of Pittston Township, were unnerved by the experience and the uncertainty of what might happen to their jobs. “The fire was so devastating,” said Slusser, “it was like watching your own house burn to the ground.”
By Wednesday, however, Schott issued a statement via its website crediting employees and local fire departments for reacting quickly. Further, it stated, “The team in Duryea is working hard to restart operations as soon as possible.”
The company on Thursday reiterated its commitment to rebound: “Together with local officials, we are currently assessing the damage and we will be working diligently to resume full operations.”
At workweek’s end, Schott released even more encouraging and unexpected news: It had resumed shipping some products to customers, and despite no firm date for the plant’s restoration, employees’ paychecks will flow as usual. Even workers who, as previously had been announced, are expected to be laid off later this year will for the time being remain on the payroll, the local director of operations said.
The company held an informational meeting for its employees on Friday. A task force is drawing up a recovery plan, according to a news release.
This kind of loyalty – to people and to a place – puts Schott in rare company. All too often, firms operating today in the United States seemingly demonstrate little regard for their work forces, sitting on gobs of cash while remaining stingy on pay raises, vacation benefits and other perks.
No wonder community support for Schott appears so strong in parts of Luzerne County. One makeshift sign, among others displayed in Duryea last week, reads, “SCHOTT WILL SURVIVE!”
Credit the company’s decision makers for displaying resilience in the face of extreme hardship and – just as important – for maintaining an uncommon measure of humanity.