Guardian Industries is a privately held industrial manufacturer of glass, automotive and building products based in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Guardian Industries was founded in 1932 as Guardian Glass Company.

In addition to those product lines, Guardian Industries also manufacturers and supplies the automotive industry with a range of exterior products.

And Guardian Industries of Northville, Mich., owns 80 percent of a joint venture that is building a $120 million glass factory.

Guardian Industries of Auburn Hills, Mich., could not confirm whether David L. Ford was on the plane.

When he learned of a shortage of glass in the area," said William Davidson, the president and chief executive of Guardian Industries, "he had an answer.

It was later purchased by Guardian Industries.

William Davidson heads Guardian Industries of Northville, Mich., a glass manufacturer with operations in Hungary.

Guardian Industries makes float glass in Goole.

The company was sold to Guardian Industries in 1982, and underwent a name change to Guardian Automotive Trim, Inc.