Saint-Gobain Hits 40 Years in Stephenville

The Saint-Gobain manufacturing facility in Stephenville is celebrating 40 years in the city, having first opened its doors in 1976 as the Norton Company.

The facility employs approximately 450 people locally, manufacturing coated abrasives products for the industrial manufacturing and maintenance, auto repair, construction and home improvement markets.

Those markets are worldwide and – astonishingly − Saint-Gobain celebrated its 350-year anniversary in 2015.

According to information supplied to the E-T by Saint-Gobain, “The company employs nearly 11,000 people at 64 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain’s Abrasives business has more than 2,200 employees at 10 manufacturing sites, including Stephenville.”

Darin Barton, Stephenville plant manager, says the reason for Saint-Gobain’s longevity here is the people.

“The success of the plant here in Stephenville is directly attributable to the excellence of the workforce. That excellence is a direct result of our employees’ diversity, commitment, flexibility and professionalism. It’s literally a team of teams.”

In June, a birthday celebration was held with all Stephenville employees. That party included a Hard 8 BBQ-catered lunch, birthday cake and a special birthday video was created that involved many members of the community.

Asked about the local plant’s future, Barton says, “Our employees strive together every day to create high quality products and innovative process improvements to ensure another 40 years here in Stephenville.”