Expansion of Muncie plant planned by Owens Illinois

EXPANSION PLANNED

BY OWENS-ILLINOIS

Erection of New Factory

Units Under Consideration.

Although no definite announcement has yet been made it is understood that the Owens-Illinois Glass Com­pany is now considering an expan­sion of its business with the con­struction of new factory buildings and the installation of new equipment in the Muncie division of the company, formerly known as the Hemingray Glass Company.

Not Ready For Statement.

Harold Boeschenstein, general man­ager, and Ben F. Hazelton, Jr., vice-president in charge of operations, spent several days here this week go­ing over the situation. The Owens-Illinois officials said that at this time they were not prepared to issue a statement as to the exact nature of the expansion.

It has been generally known, how­ever, that the demand for glass brick, recently placed on the market through developments in the local plant, has grown to such an extent that expansion of the property here is deemed necessary. While here the Owens-Illinois men were in confer­ence with both city officials and of­ficers of the Chamber of Commerce, and the local civil and civic officers are rendering all possible assistance to bring about the expansion of the Muncie plant. Already legal steps have been taken for the vacation of some streets which will be necessary before the expansion program may be car­ried out. It is expected that definite announcement as to the expansion program will be made within the next five or six weeks.