Days away from launching new production lines, Fuyao Glass America put out an urgent call Friday for qualified job applicants, seeking to have 150 new workers on the job by April 18, Fuyao and Ohio Means Jobs officials said.
The hiring event was put together quickly. Ohio Means Jobs, the state workforce development agency, announced Friday’s job fair on Thursday.
“When they decide to add a new line, they have to move very, very fast to fill that line,” said Mark Anderson, spokesman for the Montgomery County office of Ohio Means Jobs.
Doors at the plant off Encrete Lane in Moraine were opened to applicants for four hours Friday. They were invited to apply online while there and many were to be interviewed on the spot. Assessments and drug tests will continue next week, Anderson said.
Normally, the process takes two-to-three weeks or longer, he said.
New employees will work for staffing firm Staffmark for 90 days at a starting wage of $12 an hour. New hires can expect job evaluations at 30, 60 and 80 days.
If Fuyao hires them permanently, the workers will make at least $12.84, with three health care plans to choose from, a 401(K) plan with company matching contributions, 10 holidays and other benefits.
More than 90 percent of probationary employees become full-fledged hires, said John Gauthier, president of Fuyao Glass America.
Asked if it was a challenge to find workers in an era of low unemployment, he said, “We’ll reserve final judgment on that on how this goes.”
He said the plant, which has about 1,400 workers today, is preparing to start several production lines. It will have more than 2,000 employees when fully operational, company leaders say.
Todd Bishop, a Trotwood resident who applied, said he has heard good things about the plant from other workers.
“I heard they were hiring,” Bishop said. “I know a few people who work here. They said it was a good company, a growing company … I want to be part of a good organization. That’s why I’m here.”
Applicant Darcy Shepherd, of Miamisburg, wants to step away from restaurant work.
“I’m just looking to do something different, make a little better money, have more of a future for me and my kids,” she said.
Fuyao leaders have said the Moraine plant will become the world’s largest automotive glass manufacturing facility.
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