itself financially healthy, it's not quite there yet. For 2003, the company recorded sales of $3.1 billion, down slightly from 2002 sales of $3.2 billion. The company took far less of a loss this past year, however, taking a $223 million hit in 2003, down markedly from a loss of $1.8 billion in 2002. And the company continues to make strides, closing out 2004 with more than 3.8 billion in revenue. Getting diesel In order to get the company back to where it was before the crash, Corning decided to get involved in the business of cleaning up pollution. Its target? That old warhorse, the diesel engine. In April 2004, Corning invested $200 million in a factory that will produce diesel filters (called "honeycombs") that trap soot and convert harmful gases into carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor. By 2007, by federal law all new diesel vehicles in the United States will need to be equipped with these smog-reducing devices. According to many industry analysts, the worldwide market in diesel filters is expected to exceed $1 billion by 2008, making this a potentially very profitable move for Corning. It looks like the company has a head start in the industry, though. As of 2003, it was producing more than half of the 100 million honeycombs made each year, accounting for almost $400 million in annual sales. The company employs about 100 people in the unit, but expects that number to grow by 250 more jobs by the end of 2004. But that's not all. Corning has also recently invested in other projects. In January 2004, spurred on by sales of ultra-thin glass for new-generation computers and televisions, the company came out with a two-year plan to invest more than $600 million in its flat-screen-glass factories in Taiwan and Japan. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, VAULT CAREER career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more. LIBRARY Vault Guide to the Top Telecom Employers Corning Incorporated GETTING HIRED Hiring process Corning lists job opportunities on 