Guardian Industries Corp. Carleton Glass Plant^[1] is the first float glass plant produced by Guardian Industries. Guardian Industries is currently ranked the 68th largest private business in the world^[2]. Guardian Industries also functions without a union, as Guardian is opposed to unions.

Guardian makes it clear that you understanding the Guardian Culture before hiring a future employee. The four keys to the Guardian Culture are supporting and encouraging, accountable and reliable, calculated risk-taker, and a passion for excellence. Understanding the safety precautions are just as critical, as the plant has safety signs on every wall inside the building. By promoting the Guardian culture and voicing safety repeatedly, this plant is a great example of why this company prospers.

Supporting and encouraging is often the most overlooked trait, simply because of how obvious it is. This trait focuses on building teamwork and accomplishing tasks as a group.

Accountability and responsibility is the most often stressed item on this list. Being held liable for actions and consequences puts more emphasis on getting work done and doing it well. Not only does it make the employee more valuable, but it also builds character.

Being a calculated risk-taker is something that must be adopted. Knowing what do do when not instructed is the most basic skill when becoming a leader, as you lead by your own example. Knowing the pros and cons of each outcome is also important, because they ultimately decide what is best.

Having a passion for excellence is the simplest trait, because it means that the worker loves what he does and whats the company to prosper. This trait personified the perfect, happy worker and is the goal of all workers in general.

Not a culture trait, but by far the most important, safety is stressed by everyone everyday. Guardian Industries makes glass for all businesses, so the small fact that the employees are dealing with glass on a regular basis that is sharp enough to shred human skin with a slight touch is something that cannot be overlooked. Like most businesses, Guardian takes every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of its workers.

The Guardian plant has been in service for over forty years^[3]. One of the greater accomplishments of the factory is its five million consecutive man hours without time off from a work-related injury. One of the reasons Guardian is a top tier business is the quality of glass Guardian of Carleton ships is among the best glass produced around the world.

The plant is one of two float glass plants that run two lines at once. Because of this, Guardian is versatile enough to make the glass that is in most demand and switch back and forth rapidly when needed. The plants also has its offices, storage and shipping departments connected to the main plant. The glass itself runs north to south from the furnaces of the hot end to the storage area of the cold end. Across the street is a separate building called the Science and Technology building, which is also owned by Guardian Industries.