COLUMBIA, Pa.–Susquehanna Glass’ recent acquisition of Townsend Glass consolidates the personalized glassware business and should make doing business easier for specialty retailers.
Last month, after being approached by Long Island City, N.Y.-based Townsend Glass, Susquehanna acquired the smaller company.
Susquehanna, a third generation, family-owned business, is best known for its personalization programs for high-end specialty and department stores, as well as wineries. It decorates and personalizes glassware, as well as metal, wood, leather, acrylic and ceramic products.
It continues the tradition of hand-cutting patterns onto glass using a stone wheel. Over its nearly 100-year history, it has also added capabilities, including sand blasting, silk screening, and laser and traditional engraving.
Townsend Glass manufactures and sells high-end decorated glassware and giftware to museums, universities and non-profit organizations, among others. It is best known for extra-deep etching of custom products, such as awards, bowls and vases.
Susquehanna plans to expand the Townsend line. “Our skilled artisans will be able to deliver the quality expected from Townsend and will introduce new designs and products,” said Walt Rowen, Susquehanna president, in a statement. “One immediate benefit will be the ability for customers to look to Susquehanna Glass for all their customized glassware needs.”
Over the past three years, Susquehanna has increased manufacturing capacity, diversified technologies for personalization and streamlined administrative operations.
“We expect it will be easier for Townsend customers to conduct business with us,” said Chad Yaw, partner and vice president. “We use electronic artwork and approval processing, automated shipment tracking and we also have more trained staff available to help customers throughout the process.”
Elizabeth Schnee, president of Townsend, plans to retire following a transition period in which she will provide training and consultive services to Susquehanna. None of the company’s six employees, which include the owner and mostly part-time workers, will continue to work for Susquehanna, although expected growth of the two lines may lead to increased employment in the future, according to Susquehanna.