Fenton Art Glass Co. Closing After 102 years - Ohio losing more jobs

[Doremus]

The hemorrhage of Ohio jobs continues, thanks in no small part to the worthless domestic policies of the worst administration in history. This company survived the 1970s oil embargo and resulting skyrocketing energy costs, Reagan-era hyper inflation and all manner of evils dispensed from Republican presidents and governors for over 100 years.

Even they couldn't survive George Bush.

WILLIAMSTOWN -- The Fenton Art Glass Co. announced Thursday it would cease its operations over the next few months.

“We’ve been working on trying to find a proper restructuring plan for a couple of years,” company President George W. Fenton told The State Journal. “… We’ve been working on it intently for the last three or four months. We’ve been unable to come up with a ‘go forward’ plan.”

(snip)

He said the glass industry has several trends ongoing, and those trends have not helped the company stay afloat.

“One is that we generally sell to people in rural (areas) with moderate incomes," he said "… Today, they have less discretionary income. Two, people are doing less collecting. Three, there is more competition from overseas.

"Four, there are higher costs, especially natural gas," Fenton said. "Health care is right behind. Those have all come together.”

http://statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=27401

[Deja Q]

1. Maybe if people throw more rocks through windows, the folks will get re-hired?

Hey, if China and India can pirate up the wazoo and get jobs in the fields they're stealing from, why not?


(Okay, this is :sarcasm: but I sure as hell don't know what to think anymore.)

[madrchsod]

2. that`s awful....

i have fenton glass in my china cabinet..another american made product bites the dust. this country is slowly bleeding away

[supernova]

3. How sad,

Fenton glassware is a staple at garage sales and flea markets everywhere.

[eleny]

4. I guess not even QVC could keep them afloat

[NYC]

5. I've seen Chinese hobnail glass that imitated Fenton.

Fenton has never been my style, but it was famous. I'm sorry they are going out of business.



9'' Amethyst Carnival Basket

$59.50

Carnival glass has been a Fenton trademark since 1907. The deep shade of amethyst glass, which played a vital role in our revival of Carnival during the 1970s, is sprayed with metallic salts while the glass is still hot. As the spray is applied, a rainbow of rich color emerges.

[libnnc]

6. God how sad. I sold that stuff for years

in my position at a large china, crystal, collectible "replacement" service -- long time ago in my previous life. Unboxed, inventoried, and shelved shipments from Fenton every day. They're one of a kind.

This news really, really makes me sad. :-(

[zabet]

7. What a loss!!!

As a glass collector, this saddens me. Even though the pre-1940 Fenton
is considered more valuable their connissuer line commands good prices even
at resale.:cry:

[windbreeze]

8. Guess I better hang on to my vast collection then...

OMG...the chinese/japanese/mexican glass does not begin to compare...it can imitate..but it cannot BE Fenton...CAN NOT BE....I am devastated to hear this...for the workers, and just because...wb

[Doremus]

9. Too bad they don't make glass bombs.

Glass tanks
Glass humvees
Glass spy satellites
Glass guns, missiles, ammo, toilet seats?

Wrong industry, wrong government, wrong, wrong, wrong.

:mad:

[yardwork]

10. Oh no! This makes me so sad. I'm from Ohio.

Fenton is actually right across the river, in West Virginia. This is a loss for both states. I've visited them and seen how they make hand-blown glass. There are examples of art glass in their museum going back a century.

This is heartbreaking. Today I feel genuine hatred for George W. Bush and his criminal accomplices.