Manufacturing CEO to take leave of absence

TAMPA — Jim Fredlake, president and CEO of Anchor Glass Container Corp., is taking a leave of absence from the Tampa-based company for personal reasons, the business announced.

Carlos Moreira da Silva will work as interim CEO during Fredlake's absence, though Fredlake will remain an active member of the company's board of directors.

“Carlos brings decades of glass manufacturing experience to Anchor Glass and will help guide our employees and leadership team to continue executing on our business strategy and our commitment to quality,” Fredlake says in a statement.

Fredlake adds he hopes to return to Anchor Glass “in a full-time capacity later this year.”

Thomas Kichler, the company's chairman, says Fredlake has built “an exceptional executive team” and he has “full confidence” in their ability to continue implementing the company's strategy.

Anchor Glass employs roughly 2,000 people and operates six manufacturing plants in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, New York and Oklahoma. It also operates a pair of other parts and mold plants in Illinois and Ohio.