Specialty glass maker Corning Inc announced its better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit that tripled on surging margins, triggered by a strong demand from makers of flat panel televisions and portable computer monitors.

Corning Inc., the futuristic glass maker, is all set to shatter 13 percent of its employees by 2009 end.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the company said that it intends laying-off 3,500 employees. Other shockers from the specialty glass maker include launching premature retirement plan, fusing manufacturing units, and shelving pay hikes for salaried employees.