The process that could result in a new tenant for the former Philips Lighting facility is still taking shape, but some of the ideas behind NeoStar Glass LLC are already fully formed.
Anna Broughton of Danville, a former Philips employee, said she incorporated NeoStar earlier this year not to be an extension of Philips, but a new direction in glass making.
Whereas Philips had been producing lamps at the Danville plant, NeoStar will start by making some lighting but ultimately branch out into pharmaceutical, architectural and even solar glass. Broughton, a melting quality manager at Philips, said the new company will be completely independent from Philips in both ownership and what it produces.
Broughton said she has spoken with some customers already about orders that could guarantee at least one of the furnaces will be occupied, but she and others stress that all decisions being made right now are extremely preliminary. There is not a firm timeline for when the business will be up and running, and complex negotiations with Philips over the purchase the facility and other matters are still in the early stages.
NeoStar gained preliminary approval in October for state incentives that may allow the company to recover $5 million in taxes and wage assessments. The incentives were based on plans to add 300 jobs over three years. Danville City Commission and Boyle County Fiscal Court have approved going after a $2 million federal Community Development Block Grant to help refurbish one of the furnaces at the plant.
Broughton said she wants to try to revive the plant but said the company will go on no matter where it is located.
"The first choice is to try to find a use for the facility, but the core of the business is still going to be developing a diverse group of products," Broughton said.
NeoStar is a start-up, but Broughton has 20 years of experience in glass manufacturing, including a previous stint working for Philips' television division in England and Germany.
Although the landscape for existing and new manufacturing operations may seem tilted to favor low wage countries in Asia, Broughton said she is motivated by a belief that China is not the best place to make everything.
She said she wants to show that designing and developing quality products from start to finish in America is something that can still happen if the work is solid and done efficiently.
Anna Broughton of Danville, a former Philips employee, said she incorporated NeoStar earlier this year not to be an extension of Philips, but a new direction in glass making.
Whereas Philips had been producing lamps at the Danville plant, NeoStar will start by making some lighting but ultimately branch out into pharmaceutical, architectural and even solar glass. Broughton, a melting quality manager at Philips, said the new company will be completely independent from Philips in both ownership and what it produces.
Broughton said she has spoken with some customers already about orders that could guarantee at least one of the furnaces will be occupied, but she and others stress that all decisions being made right now are extremely preliminary. There is not a firm timeline for when the business will be up and running, and complex negotiations with Philips over the purchase the facility and other matters are still in the early stages.
NeoStar gained preliminary approval in October for state incentives that may allow the company to recover $5 million in taxes and wage assessments. The incentives were based on plans to add 300 jobs over three years. Danville City Commission and Boyle County Fiscal Court have approved going after a $2 million federal Community Development Block Grant to help refurbish one of the furnaces at the plant.
Broughton said she wants to try to revive the plant but said the company will go on no matter where it is located.
"The first choice is to try to find a use for the facility, but the core of the business is still going to be developing a diverse group of products," Broughton said.
NeoStar is a start-up, but Broughton has 20 years of experience in glass manufacturing, including a previous stint working for Philips' television division in England and Germany.
Although the landscape for existing and new manufacturing operations may seem tilted to favor low wage countries in Asia, Broughton said she is motivated by a belief that China is not the best place to make everything.
She said she wants to show that designing and developing quality products from start to finish in America is something that can still happen if the work is solid and done efficiently.
