Posted by IndustrySelect on Tuesday, August 15, 2024
Looking for sales leads in the U.S. glass industry? Check out our stone, clay & glass products industrial database, featuring detailed profiles of 15,000+ companies and 33,000+ executives. Or start your free IndustrySelect demo and learn how to build a custom list of industrial contacts.
4 MIN. READ
Glass manufacturers provide essential materials for different industries, including construction, manufacturing, automotive, telecommunications and consumer products. According to the latest analysis by Precedence Research, the global glass manufacturing market was valued at $178.81 billion in 2022 and is expected to be worth $312.74 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period. This makes it a lucrative market to sell to.
Rising construction activity, the global consumer shift to glass over plastic, the growth of the electric vehicle market, and new demand spurred by the numerous projects proposed in the Biden Administration's Infrastructure and Jobs Act are among the many factors influencing growth in the industry.
This sector has experienced steady growth over the past few years, and there are new products and opportunities to be aware of when selling to glass manufacturers. This article will provide an overview of the U.S. glass industry and explore the sector's largest companies.
Are you looking for sales leads in the the glass industry or the manufacturing world at large? Access comprehensive profiles of 500,000 industrial businesses and one million executives with IndustrySelect. Try a free demo of IndustrySelect and get selling to the glass industry today! (sample profile here)
According to data collected by MNI, compiler of the industrial data that powers IndustrySelect, there are currently 1,631 companies that make up the U.S. glass manufacturing sector in 2022.
Trends in this sector are fairly representative of manufacturing as a whole:
• 16% of glass manufacturers import raw materials, while 11% of all manufacturers do.
• 71% of glass manufacturers focus on domestic distribution, which is very close to the 70% of all manufacturers who adopt this strategy.
• 27% of glass manufacturers prioritize international distribution, reflecting the 29% of all manufacturers who export their products.
You’ll find 31% of glass manufacturers in the South and 28% in the Midwest, with Ohio being home to three of the top 10 largest manufacturers in this sector.
Looking for glass suppliers? Search, source & quote glass suppliers for free on IndustryNet.
Several trends and opportunities will help the glass manufacturing sector amid the current supply chain challenges and inflationary environment:
• Nonresidential construction projects and the automotive industry create a strong demand for flat glass products.
• Automating production is a growing trend for this sector, resulting in more effective production processes and lower costs.
• Demand is increasing for complex glass products for decorative purposes and products with specific properties.
• There are plenty of opportunities in the tech, telecommunications and energy sectors with glass fibers for fiber optic cables, protective screens for electronics and solar panels.
Read More: Who Needs to Buy What I'm Selling? Finding the Right Customer for Your Product or Service
Here are the top 10 largest manufacturers in this sector.
Top CompaniesCityState Number of EmployeesGentex Corp.ZeelandMI5,000Fuyao Glass America, Inc.MoraineOH2,300Pella Corp.PellaIA2,224ViraconOwatonnaMN2,000Safelite AutoGlassColumbusOH1,600Anchor Hocking Co.LancasterOH1,200SMR AutomotiveMarysvilleMI1,085Corning, Inc., Optical Fibers Div.WilmingtonNC1,000Gallo Glass Co.ModestoCA1,000Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Inc.WausauWI1,000Gentex Corp.
This award-winning manufacturer is located in Zeeland, Mich., and employs 5,000 people. Gentex Corp. specializes in fire protection equipment and glass products for the aerospace and automotive industries. Its research department develops automation technology for cars.
Fuyao Glass America Inc.
Located in Moraine, Ohio, Fuyao Glass America Inc. has 2,300 employees and is an OEM glass supplier for major automakers. This manufacturer stands out thanks to new materials research and offers products like ultra-thin glass, coated glass and dimmable glass.
Pella Corp.
Pella Corp. is a window and door manufacturer. The company has 2,224 employees and operates from Pella, Iowa. Products include wood, fiberglass, and vinyl doors and windows for the residential construction sector.
Viracon
Viracon is an Owatonna, Minn., company with 2,000 employees. It specializes in glass products for the nonresidential construction sector, including insulating glass products, laminated glass for glazing applications, and monolithic glass for modern buildings with huge facades.
Safelite AutoGlass
Located in Columbus, Ohio, Safelite AutoGlass has 1,600 employees and offer windshield repair and replacement. This company emphasizes customer service and convenience to make auto glass repairs an easy process.
Anchor Hocking Co.
Anchor Hocking Co. is a Lancaster, Ohio, company with 1,200 employees that offers timeless glass household products. Its product catalog includes bakeware, drinkware, storage products, and other kitchen essentials.
SMR Automotive
SMR Automotive makes mirrors for the automotive industry and develops camera technology to improve blind spot visibility. This Marysville, Mich., company has 1,085 employees.
Corning Inc. Optical Fibers Div.
Corning Inc. played an instrumental role in the development of fiber optics. The Wilmington, NC, company is still a major player in the telecommunications market for glass products and has 1,000 employees.
Gallo Glass Co.
Gallo Glass Co. is an eco-friendly manufacturer that uses sustainable and innovative techniques to make wine and spirits bottles. It's located in Modesto, Calif., and employs 1,000 people.
Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc.
In Wausau, Wisc., Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc. specializes in windows and doors. Its products go beyond glass to include windows and door trim and hardware for residential construction projects. The company has 1,000 employees.
Are you looking to contact glass manufacturers in the U.S.? IndustrySelect provides comprehensive profiles of 500,000 industrial companies and one million executives, including thousanglass manufacturing companies. Powered by MNI, trusted industrial data compiler since 1912, company profiles are verfied and updated in real time by a 80-person research team. See a sample profile.
To learn more about how you can use IndustrySelect to generate reliable sales leads for your company, visit our website and try out a free demo.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in December 2020. It has been updated to reflect new statistics and trends in the U.S. glass manufacturing sector.
Venice has been a tourist mecca for years, with millions of visitors flocking to explore this unique floating city on the face of the Earth. While there is plenty to see and do in Venice, a day trip to the neighbouring island of Murano, known worldwide for its beautiful Murano glass, makes for a great break away from the hustle and bustle of the Venetian crowds. The history of glassmaking in Murano dates back to 1291 when the Venetian government ordered the glassmakers of Venice to relocate to Murano as a precautionary measure to avert a huge fire. From there on, the small island emerged as one of the most prominent centres of glassmaking in the world. Today, you can still catch firsthand glimpse of artisans handcrafting glass in a number of foundries in Murano.
If you’ve never heard of Murano glass you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. What makes it different from the normal glass windows we have in our homes? First of all, the process of making Murano glass is different from any others. It requires a special glassblowing process that is over 1000 years old. Rediscovered by local artisans who found the remains of ancient Roman glassware at the end of the first millennium, they continuously developed and enhanced the technique which has been relied upon ever since. When making the glass they mix it with other minerals which gives it its funky colours and vibrant designs. The resulting liquid glass mixture is then mouth-blown and then handcrafted by master glassmakers in a series of elaborate steps. They used tools to mould, shape and polish the glass to create unique and beautiful designs. For this reason, high-end Murano Glass is called art glass.
The typical Murano glass is made of silica and requires great accuracy! Using silica, soda, lime and potassium glassmakers will begin to heat up the elements so they melt together. They do this in a special furnace at a temperature of 1500 degrees Celcius, until it reaches a liquid state. Very thin layers of real gold or sterling silver are then added to the glass mixture (also known as gold or silver leaf), along with various minerals to give the glass its vibrant colours and designs. For example, copper is used for Avventurina mineral-like sparkles, zinc is added for white colour, cobalt for blue, manganese for violet and gold for red. The resulting liquid glass mixture is then mouth-blown (done by blowing air through a long tube) and hand-crafted by master glassmakers in a series of elaborate steps using special techniques such as Millefiori, Sommerso, Reticello, Filligrana, Bullicante, and many others.
P.S. It is important to note that “by hand” in these conditions means using iron tools for reshaping, as the glass is still burning hot! No bare hands are involved there.
Most of the tools used have were developed in the Middle Ages, and both these and the glass-blowing process have barely changed since then. This method of glass making results in the most beautiful creations, rich in colour and surreal in the patterns and shapes created. That’s why, although all sorts of other glassware has been created around the world, none of it is produced with the same rich history and artistic value behind it as Murano glass.
As mentioned above, what makes Murano glass so special is its history and methods of creation. It is world-famous for its unparalleled quality, exquisite range of colours, and not to forget the unsurpassed craftsmanship. In fact, the avant-garde Murano glass is so fine that it can be easily differentiated from all other forms of Venetian glasses. What’s more; the island of Murano boasts a monopoly of quality glassmaking for more than 700 years, developing and perfecting numerous glassworking techniques that are still employed by the local glass artisans, who are using them to handcraft everything from glass tableware, figurines and famous Murano glass chandeliers. Plus, the incredibly wide range of pure colours of Murano glass is still looked at with awe (and envy) by the glassmakers from all around the world.
You can see the history of this exquisite glass art at the Murano Glass Museum, located on the island the glass is named after. Look carefully at the rare and precise deigns that still give the impression of a moving liquid, whilst also looking so fine and fragile when the light hits them. Accessible by vaporetto, you can reach the island of Murano in 10 minutes from Venice. When there, take a walk around its colourful streets and you’ll find yourself stumbling across all sorts of glass-designs. Don’t forget your camera!
Murano is included in our Venice Islands Tour, which also includes Burano and Torcello, an easy way to see all 3 at once!
Related article: Visiting Piazza San Marco