Community in a Global Society

Since it was founded by M.L. Gordon in 1962, Cardinal Glass Industries has been leading the way in technological advances in the distribution and manufacturing of glass products across the United States. Cardinal Glass Industries is the perfect example of globalization from a production stand point. At Cardinal Glass we strive to produce the best quality product we possibly can, shipping to both foreign and domestic customers on a daily basis. At Cardinal we are constantly looking for new ways to become more energy efficient in our production as well as through our products. Because our success is greatly dependent upon the satisfaction of our customers it is our daily concern to remain highly competitive in the marketplace through producing the best possible quality products and maintaining the best customer service we can every day.

Cardinal Glass has a large spread of connectivity throughout the country and even into foreign lands. Cardinal Glass Industries is grounded in multiple locations throughout the United States. From Florida all the way up to Washington State. Each plant distributes a specific type of glass product ranging from insulated glass to tempered glass production plants. Around 1968 Cardinal Glass began expansion from its single factory in Minnesota and built six new factories throughout the Midwest to meet growing supply demands throughout the country. (www.cardinalcorp.com) This pioneered Cardinals growth for the future. Since its expansion Cardinal Glass has become the gold standard for glass production throughout the world, and since the early 90’s has even begun supplying foreign companies with its excellent product. As of today, roughly 20% of Cardinal’s profits come from foreign business. (www.cardinalcorp.com)

Becoming the global leader in glass production and distribution and in response to the rising demand to become more energy efficient and in an effort to produce a more energy efficient product Cardinal Glass began production of its LoE coated product. However, during the time of its development Cardinal was unsuccessful in finding a company to buy coated glass products from. This left Cardinal with a decision that began an even further advancement throughout the company. In the 1980’s Cardinal built its own coated glass production factories. As of today, Cardinal Glass currently has nine Coated Glass (CG) factories placed throughout the country. Of those nine, one happens to be the factory that I am currently employed by. My community is solely based out of this location, but shares a similar community with all other CG plants.

Over the course of 50 years Cardinal Glass has grown from a single factory to a billion dollar industry. A large part of Cardinal’s success is in its employees. Showing that part of globalization is also at a local level. The term globalization is often times confused in its meaning. Often people misconstrue the meaning of globalization to be something large, hence the term global.  Cardinal’s employees drive its business, and because of the lack of bureaucracy within the company it is really to each his own as to one’s personal advancement within the company.

 

Works Citied:

http://www.cardinalcorp.com; Date Accessed, October 14, 2012