Guardian Glass signs agreement to acquire Vortex Glass

• The transaction allows Guardian Glass to expand its make-to-order fabrication business to supply key customers in Florida and the Caribbean with hurricane laminated and insulated glass.
• Guardian Glass gains a talented employee base and newly purchased high-quality assets.
• Guardian will leverage its broad float and coating portfolio and operational capability to expand the plant’s capacity and service capabilities.

Guardian Glass (“Guardian”) and Vortex Glass (“Vortex”) have announced an agreement for Guardian to acquire the assets of Vortex, a Miami, Florida fabrication business. The transaction is expected to close on January 23, 2023.

Vortex offers laminated and insulated glass that meets the stringent Florida Building Code for hurricane impacts, and supplies Florida and the Caribbean Islands customers with complete tempered glass packages for residential and commercial construction, including office partitions, shower doors and glass railings. By bringing Guardian Glass advanced products and operations together with the fabrication capabilities of Vortex, Guardian is better positioned to assist customers in meeting advancing safety and energy conservation codes for buildings.

Vortex and Guardian agree this transaction will have a positive impact on the business, including its employees, customers, and suppliers.

“We are very pleased to see in Guardian Glass a buyer that has strategic synergies with our existing business, the right values and the ability to help Vortex continue to provide great service to our existing customers while identifying and adding the capability for us to add new business,” says Humberto Juliao, Vortex President. “It’s a chance for the business as well as our team members to grow.”

"This transaction represents an important opportunity for Guardian Glass to add value to our residential customers in the Southeast,” explains Rick Zoulek, Executive Vice President, Guardian Glass Americas. “We remain committed to our existing customers and partners, and we’ve identified Vortex as a company with the right team, capabilities, and motivation to fit Guardian’s fabrication business model. We look forward to the successes to come.”

Details of the transaction will not be disclosed.

About Vortex Glass

Vortex Glass, a new company established with the latest technology, is committed to supplying our customers with the best quality laminated and insulated glass resistant to hurricane impacts. Located in Miami, Florida, the company also supplies Florida and the Caribbean Islands complete tempered glass packages for residential and commercial construction, including office partitions, shower doors and glass railings.

About Guardian Glass

Guardian Glass, a major business unit of Guardian Industries, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of float, coated and fabricated glass products. At its 24 float lines around the globe, Guardian Glass produces high performance glass for use in exterior (both commercial and residential) and interior architectural applications, as well as transportation and technical products. Guardian glass can be found in homes, offices, cars and some of the world’s most iconic architectural landmarks. The Guardian Glass Science & Technology Center continuously works to create new glass products and solutions using the most advanced technology to help customers see what’s possible™. Visit guardianglass.com.

About Guardian Industries

Guardian Industries, a global company headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, operates facilities throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Guardian companies employ 12,500 people and manufacture high-performance float glass; coated and fabricated glass products for architectural, residential, interior, transportation and technical glass applications; and high-quality chrome-plated and painted plastic components for the automotive and commercial truck industries. Guardian’s vision is to be a preferred partner to our customers, suppliers, employees and communities based on a foundation of mutual benefit. This drives our relentless focus on improving people’s lives by providing products and services they value more highly than their alternatives and doing so responsibly while consuming fewer resources. Guardian is a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc. Visit guardian.com.