Blenko Glass Closing It's Doors

It was announced last week that Blenko Glass is shutting down production. Blenko Glass was started in 1893 in Kokomo, Indiana, and eventually was moved to Milton, West Virginia in 1921. Although the company will no longer be making glass, the Blenko Visitor's Center will remain open.

The Milton, West Virginia based manufacturer of handmade glass was sued by Big Two Mile, it's former gas supplier, four years ago due to a payment disagreement for gas used at the factory. A court found in favor of Big Two Mile, and entered a judgment against Blenko for more than $500,000 in 2005. In the meantime, several settlement proposals were made by Blenko, but none were accepted.

On January 15, 2009, Big Two Mile seized "all amounts, deposits and moneys" in the Blenko bank accounts, including payroll and withholding accounts. Blenko first learned of Big Two Mile's action on January 23, when Blenko's bank reported that the accounts had been emptied. Blenko's gas supplier has refused to supply gas for the glass making process after January 31, 2009.



Sadly, Blenko has had to shut down it's furnaces. Some of them will be destroyed due to loss of heat. The company is consulting with it's legal counsel, and is considering filing for bankruptcy.

Blenko employs approximately 50 employees. Said Walter Blenko, President of Blenko Glass, "I want to thank and pay tribute to the many loyal employees of Blenko Glass who worked diligently and faithfully again bad economic conditions to keep the company operating and producing world reknowned Blenko Glass up until the last day."