Saint-Gobain has been a bit of a sleeping giant in Greater Worcester since the $57-billion French firm bought the 105-year-old Norton Co., in 1990. The company remains one of the top 15 largest manufacturers in the region with 1,100 employees as part of its 170,000 global workforce, but it’s often operated quietly behind the scenes.
Along came Dwyer, who in 2021 after 25 years at Saint-Gobain took over leadership of eight of the company’s Abrasives manufacturing locations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, including the headquarters in Worcester. In October, Saint-Gobain finished the construction on a new $22-million powerhouse, replacing the previous one used for more than 70 years. The new powerhouse will save $7 million annually in energy costs while using less gas and water to heat the facilities.
In November, Saint-Gobain worked with the Worcester Business Development Corp. as part of its Greendale Revitalization Plan and transferred 51 acres of underused parts of its campus to WBDC, which plans to build 1 million square feet of new manufacturing space.
Patrick serves as part of Saint-Gobain’s Worcester Executive Fund committee overseeing the company’s charitable giving within Greater Worcester and last year gave $170,000 to 21 nonprofits in the region.
How should professionals best use the power they wield? “Business professionals should follow our lead in making the world a better home; through a commitment to sustainability, investments in their people, and supporting their community.”
Once a G-Man, always a G-Man: Dwyer is a die-hard New York Giants fan and an avid photographer.
