Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat, is actively working to prevent the shutdown of a glass manufacturing plant in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, which threatens the employment of 325 workers. Meanwhile, Dave McCormick, his Republican challenger in the Senate race, has been linked to financial contributions from a key figure involved in the company’s operational decisions.
Casey, who is campaigning for a fourth term in the U.S. Senate, faces competition from McCormick, a business executive.
The glass plant in question is operated by Anchor Hocking under the Corelle Brands name, known for producing Pyrex glassware. It was announced last month that the plant would cease operations in 2025 after functioning for 132 years, with plans to consolidate operations in Ohio. The United Steelworkers union quickly initiated efforts to counteract the closure, supported by Casey through a letter to the CEO of Corelle Brands.
“The jobs at this plant have provided family-sustaining livelihoods for the tens of thousands of proud workers who have shaped it into the local legacy it is today,” Casey wrote. “Your sudden announcement to close the plant will upend the lives of Pennsylvania workers who have contributed to your company’s success.”
Corelle Brands operates as a subsidiary of Instant Brands, which is under the ownership of Centre Lane Partners, a private equity firm that also owns Anchor Hocking. Centre Lane Partners acquired the company in 2023 from another private equity firm, Cornell Capital.
Cornell Capital initially took over Instant Brands in 2019 during a bankruptcy filing. The company faced bankruptcy again under Cornell Capital’s ownership, leading to its acquisition by Centre Lane Partners.
This cycle of financial instability has led to challenges for the company. Earlier in the year, 20 jobs were cut at the Charleroi plant due to financial constraints. Instant Brands now claims it lacks the resources to maintain multiple operational sites.
Henry Cornell, the founder of Cornell Capital, has financially backed McCormick’s campaign. Campaign finance records indicate Cornell donated $50,000 to the Keystone Renewal PAC, which supports McCormick, and $6,600 directly to McCormick’s campaign.
McCormick has attempted to leverage the plant’s closure in his campaign, organizing an event on September 23 outside the Charleroi factory where he appeared in photos and criticized the policies of Casey and Vice President Kamala Harris, attributing the closure to their leadership.
“This is the second stop on our Price of Poor Leadership Tour,” McCormick stated. “What we’re doing is talking about the failed policies of Biden, Harris, and Senator Casey who is a 99% vote for that terrible agenda … Because of weak leadership in Washington, our manufacturing communities, just like this one in Charleroi, are suffering.”
Despite the closure, a study by the Blue Green Alliance reports that 775,000 manufacturing jobs have been added to the U.S. economy since 2021.
The United Steelworkers endorsed Casey’s re-election campaign last year.
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