Visteon Glass Systems, an enterprise of Ford Motor Company, is the world’s largest complete automotive glass processing plant. They have more than 2 million square feet of working and storage area under roof. The plant started operation in 1956 and has undergone 10 major expansions to almost double its floor space and production. The original plant produced three million auto parts per year, but now produces about 5 times that amount.

   Production methods at the complex have evolved from the annealing, grinding, and polishing methods of the early days to today’s state of the art manufacturing techniques featuring automation and robotics. There are 2 large float furnaces that devour 115,000 tons of sand annually. All of the sand used in the glass mixture comes from Camden, TN while the limestone comes from Cowan, TN.

   Largest of the 3 U.S. manufacturing plants in Ford’s Glass Division, Nashville produces windshields, backlites, and side glass to supply the company’s automotive glass requirements. The plant is the primary contributor to Ford’s ranking as the No. 1 auto glass OEM in North America.

   Visteon Glass Systems creates glass products that are among the most advanced in the industry. Their products are helping to improve the safety, styling and efficiency of automotive glass systems. Visteon Glass Systems is one of the largest, full-service glass design, development and manufacturing companies in North America — providing integrated solutions for customers worldwide.

   Visteon has 4000 employees and 10 locations worldwide. Their innovations improve the styling and efficiency of automotive glass systems, providing value-added features which help our customers succeed. They are a recognized industry leader in precision bending, cutting and shaping of automotive glass parts.

Their techniques include:

• Variable Radius Bender Technology:
• Provides flexibility and design and manufacturing capability
• Retains original design "cosmetics"
• Tempered Glass (for doors, quarter windows, backlites, vents and moonroofs)
• Laminated Glass (windshields):
• Utilizes press forming and gravity sag
• Improves styling, aero-dynamics and visual optics
• Adapts to various vehicle programs

Solar Tint Glazing - One of Visteon’s most significant glass products, it features:

• A unique optimized tint glass formulation
• Decreased UV and infrared penetration
• Reduced fabric fade