‘Kelman Bottles - A New Chapter for Glassmaking in Pittsburgh’

PITTSBURGH, March 17, 2008 - Kelman Bottles, LLC is the new name of the former Glenshaw Glass Company and officially begins a new chapter of glassmaking in Pittsburgh. Kelman Bottles, LLC occupies 100,000 square feet in the former Glenshaw plant along Route 8 in Glenshaw, PA. The company produces 3 colors of glass - amber, flint and green.

Glassmaking was one of Pittsburgh’s earliest industries. By 1870, there were over sixty factories in the region producing half of the nation’s glass supply. In the past fifty years, foreign competition has forced many domestic glass companies to close. Kelman Bottles, LLC is committed to reversing the trend.

There is significant demand for glass containers from buyers ranging from the largest breweries and wineries to local, independent producers. According to owner William Kelman "Demand is coming from the food and beverage industries which have seen a number of glass producers cease operations in recent years. The glass companies remaining are benefiting from the reduced number of domestic suppliers.”

Kelman Bottles currently produces 220 tons of glass per day and employs over 100 people. Immediate plans are to restore two additional furnaces, which would create another 120 jobs in the community. A major reason for Kelman Bottles’ willingness to invest in Western Pennsylvania is the experience, skill and dedication of the employees. Many of the company’s employees have more than thirty years of glass industry experience.

Kelman Bottles plays an important role in the environmental movement in the community by recycling glass. Currently only 25% of glass bottles are recycled in Pennsylvania compared to over 80% in Europe and Canada. “A key to our success will be the use of recycled glass. You will see us working to reduce the glass that goes into landfills. Our hope is that we can help Pennsylvania not only match the recycling rates in Europe but exceed them,” Kelman states.

As an independent glass company in an industry dominated by a small number of major players, Kelman Bottles is comfortable in its role as a niche supplier. “Having acquired a shuttered glass plant, our initial focus was to bring in orders and get the plant making bottles again. Our team has been successful in doing both. Our mission going forward is simple -“We aim to be the best - not the biggest.”

If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Mandie Ruchlin
412-486-9100 ext. 204
mruchlin@kelmanbottles.com