Homeland Security raid: What is Fuyao Glass America?

MORAINE — Fuyao Glass America Inc. in Moraine is one of the dozens of locations raided by multiple law enforcement agencies on Friday.

>>PHOTOS: Homeland Security raids Fuyao plant, nearly 30 other area locations

A spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said they are working with IRS Criminal Investigations and other law enforcement agencies to conduct search warrants at 28 locations in Dayton, Liberty Township, Miamisburg, Moraine and West Carrollton.

The search warrants are part of an “ongoing criminal investigation” looking into allegations of financial crimes and labor exploitation.

Fuyao Glass America Inc. is a manufacturing plant “wholly owned subsidiary of the global Fuyao Glass Industry Group based in China,” according to a Montgomery County Community and Economic Development case study.

The plant manufactures glass for automobiles.

>>RELATED: Fuyao plant, nearly 30 other area locations raided in massive Homeland Security investigation

Fuyao Glass Industry Group leaders picked Moraine as its first North American facility in 2014, according to the case study.

It’s located in the former General Motors (GM) plant at 2301 W Stroop Road.

With the help of the state, county, city development services, and more, the nearly 1.5 million square foot facility opened in 2016.

News Center 7 spoke to Fuyao Glass America President John Gauthier before the facility opened. He said at the time, the plant had more than 2,000 employees.

>>RELATED: Fuyao has enormous economic ‘multiplier effect,’ execs say

In 2019, Fuyao’s factory in Moraine was the subject of the Netflix documentary American Factory. The film was directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Julia Reichert, from Yellow Springs, and her husband Steven Bognar. The film won several awards including an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

In 2022, News Center 7 reported that Montgomery County commissioners approved a request from the “Project Sky Team” tied to a $300 million Fuyao Glass America expansion in Moraine to make products for the electric vehicle industry.

The planned expansion promised at least 500 additional jobs and the facility was scheduled to be fully operational in January 2025.

News Center 7 has reached out to Fuyao Glass America Inc. for a statement regarding the raid.

We will continue to follow this story.

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