Glass manufacturers provide essential materials across the construction, automotive, telecommunications, and consumer products industries, among many others. Rising construction activity, growth in electric vehicles, and continued demand for specialized architectural and container glass all keep this sector moving.
This update looks at where the industry stands today, examining employment, ownership, and geographic concentration alongside the largest glass manufacturers operating in the country.
Glass Manufacturing Sector Overview
According to data collected by MNI, compiler of the industrial data that powers IndustrySelect, there are currently 1,907 companies that make up the U.S. glass manufacturing sector, up from the 1,631 companies MNI reported in its last review of the industry in 2022.
Looking for sales leads in the U.S. glass industry? Check out our stone, clay & glass products industrial database, or start your free IndustrySelect demo and learn how to build a custom list of industrial contacts.
Among the 1,318 companies (69 percent) that disclosed sales figures, total reported sales reach $169.9 billion. Sixteen percent of glass manufacturers import raw materials, unchanged from the industry's 2022 figure, while 27 percent report international distribution and roughly 70 percent focus on domestic distribution, both nearly identical to 2022 levels. Facilities report an average square footage of 79,100, and the average company has been in business for 49 years.
• 3.1% of glass manufacturers are women-owned
• 1.0% report minority ownership
Largest Glass Manufacturers in the U.S.
| Top Companies | City | State | Number of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gentex Corporation | Zeeland | MI | 5,700 |
| Fuyao Glass America, Inc. | Moraine | OH | 2,300 |
| Molson Coors Beverage Co. USA, LLC | Golden | CO | 2,000 |
| Safelite Group, Inc. | Columbus | OH | 1,600 |
| Anchor Hocking Co. | Lancaster | OH | 1,200 |
| SMR Automotive | Marysville | MI | 1,085 |
| Corning, Inc. | Wilmington | NC | 1,000 |
| Gallo Glass Co. | Modesto | CA | 1,000 |
| Viracon, Inc. | Owatonna | MN | 1,000 |
| Durand Glass Manufacturing Co., LLC | Millville | NJ | 950 |
About the Largest Glass Manufacturers
1. Gentex Corporation (Zeeland, MI)
Gentex Corporation employs 5,700 at its Zeeland headquarters, where it manufactures automotive automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, automotive electronics, dimmable aircraft windows, and fire protection products under brands including Gentex, HomeLink, and Full Display Mirror. Established in 1974, the company distributes internationally and reports $2.31 billion in annual sales.
2. Fuyao Glass America, Inc. (Moraine, OH)
Fuyao Glass America serves as corporate headquarters and employs 2,300 producing automotive glass, supplying major automakers with products including ultra-thin glass, coated glass, and dimmable glass. The facility distributes nationally.
3. Molson Coors Beverage Co. USA, LLC (Golden, CO)
Best known as one of the country’s largest brewers, Molson Coors’ Golden, Colorado headquarters also handles beer processing, packaging, and glass bottle production on site, employing 2,000. Established in 1975, the facility distributes internationally and reports $2.63 billion in annual sales.
4. Safelite Group, Inc. (Columbus, OH)
Safelite Group serves as corporate headquarters for vehicle glass repair and replacement under the Safelite AutoGlass and Safelite Glass brands, employing 1,600. Established in 1947, the company distributes nationally and reports sales over $1.3 billion.
5. Anchor Hocking Co. (Lancaster, OH)
Anchor Hocking employs 1,200 manufacturing glass tableware, ovenware, and foodservice glassware under brands including Oven Basics and Ovations. Established in 1880, the 900,000-square-foot facility distributes internationally and reports sales over $100 million.
6. SMR Automotive (Marysville, MI)
SMR Automotive employs 1,085 producing exterior rearview mirrors for passenger vehicles along with intelligent camera technology for automotive applications, and distributes internationally.
7. Corning, Inc. (Wilmington, NC)
Corning’s Wilmington facility employs 1,000 manufacturing optical fibers, building on the company’s role in the development of fiber optic technology. Established in 1853, the plant distributes nationally and reports $500 million in annual sales.
8. Gallo Glass Co. (Modesto, CA)
Gallo Glass Co. employs 1,000 manufacturing glass wine bottles at its Modesto, California facility. Established in 1933, the company distributes internationally.
9. Viracon, Inc. (Owatonna, MN)
Viracon serves as corporate headquarters and employs 1,000 producing fabricated architectural glass products for commercial construction, including insulating and laminated glass under brands such as Viraspan and ExtremEdge. Established in 1970, the 1.6-million-square-foot facility distributes internationally and reports $300 million in annual sales.
10. Durand Glass Manufacturing Co., LLC (Millville, NJ)
Durand Glass Manufacturing traces its roots to the historic French glassmaker J.G. Durand, now part of Arc International, and employs 950 producing glass tableware, including crystal glassware and mold making. Established in 1982, the 2-million-square-foot facility distributes internationally and reports sales between $25 million and $100 million.
Where Are Glass Manufacturers Located?
The South holds the largest share of glass manufacturers at 32.4 percent, followed by the Midwest at 26.8 percent. The East Coast accounts for 21.2 percent, while the Pacific/Mountain region rounds out the total at 19.5 percent.
Top States for Glass Manufacturing
California leads the nation with 134 companies, or 7.0 percent of the industry. Florida follows with 121 companies, or 6.3 percent, while Texas rounds out the top three with 108 companies, or 5.7 percent.
Other top glass manufacturing states include:
• Illinois (107 companies, 5.6 percent)
• New York (106 companies, 5.6 percent)
• Pennsylvania (98 companies, 5.1 percent)
• Ohio (96 companies, 5.0 percent)
• New Jersey (92 companies, 4.8 percent)
• North Carolina (63 companies, 3.3 percent)
• Indiana (61 companies, 3.2 percent)
Top Cities for Glass Manufacturing
Chicago, Illinois leads all cities with 22 glass manufacturers, representing 1.15 percent of the industry. Houston, Texas follows with 21 companies, or 1.10 percent, and Vineland, New Jersey ranks third with 17 companies, or 0.89 percent, reflecting the city’s long history in art and specialty glassmaking.
Other leading cities include:
• Louisville, KY (15 companies, 0.79 percent)
• Seattle, WA and Miami, FL, tied with 14 companies each (0.73 percent)
Who Owns America’s Glass Manufacturing Companies?
Ownership across the glass manufacturing industry skews heavily private, consistent with a supply base built on long-standing independent producers alongside a smaller number of large public companies.
• Private Corporation: 57.3 percent
• Sole Ownership: 11.5 percent
• Limited Liability Company: 11.1 percent
• Private Sub-S Corporation: 9.6 percent
• Public Corporation: 6.0 percent
What Makes Up the Glass Manufacturing Industry
Based on verified company data, the industry breaks down into four primary segments by company count:
• Glass Products, Made of Purchased Glass (SIC 3231) accounts for 77.7 percent of the industry, the largest segment, covering companies that fabricate finished glass products from glass sourced elsewhere.
• Pressed & Blown Glass & Glassware (SIC 3229) accounts for 11.2 percent of the industry, covering tableware, ovenware, and specialty glassware production.
• Flat Glass (SIC 3211) accounts for 7.5 percent of the industry, covering primary glass sheet production used in construction and automotive applications.
• Glass Containers (SIC 3221) accounts for 3.6 percent of the industry, covering bottles and jars for beverage, food, and consumer packaging.
Within these segments, several capabilities stand out across the broader supply base:
• Architectural and building glass accounts for 37.3 percent of the industry, covering storefronts, curtain walls, windows, and doors.
• Custom and fabricated glass products account for 32.6 percent of the industry.
• Mirrors account for 17.2 percent of the industry.
• Stained and art glass accounts for 11.8 percent of the industry.
• Glassware, tableware, and decorative glass accounts for 8.0 percent of the industry.
• Tempered, safety, and security glass accounts for 5.6 percent of the industry.
Selling to Glass Companies?
Are you looking to contact glass manufacturers in the U.S.? IndustrySelect provides comprehensive profiles of the nation’s industrial businesses and their executives, including thousands of glass manufacturing companies, powered by MNI, the trusted industrial data compiler since 1912. Try a free demo today to start reaching new prospects in the industrial world.
Looking for glass suppliers? Search, source and quote suppliers for free on IndustryNet.
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.