History

Birth of a company. In 1872, Samuel Binswanger would open the first Binswanger store. It is said he used his last dime and all the money he could borrow to open the small glass shop in Richmond, Virginia. Ulysses S. Grant was the President of the United States. The telephone was not yet invented. The new business thrived in the reconstruction era that followed the Civil War. It was a proud day for the family and employees when the Binswanger name was printed on the first mule-drawn delivery wagon! Soon Samuel’s four sons joined him in business and the company began serving clients throughout the South.  From Samuel Binswanger’s original shop, Binswanger Glass would grow to more than 150 locations throughout the United States.

Growth in the early 1900s. By 1903, the Richmond office could no longer handle all the business and a branch was opened in Memphis. Hugh Banner was the star salesman at the Memphis Branch. In 1923, Samuel sent him to Houston to open a second branch.

Challenges in the 30s. The financial crash of 1929 hit the nation hard. Everywhere men were selling apples on street corners, and “brother, can you spare a dime?” was the song of the day. Fortunately, Binswanger Glass was financially strong with the resources to withstand an economic disaster. The company was also committed to taking care of its employees and serving its customers. Although hundreds of thousands of dollars could have been saved by cutting wages, working shorter hours, and laying off employees, Binswanger chose to suffer years of losses rather than sacrifice its employees or lower its customer service standards. As economic conditions improved, new locations were opened in Shreveport, LA and Greensboro, NC in 1934. Over the next six years branches were opened in Columbia, SC, Dallas and Fort Worth, TX. In those days a door glass for a 1939 Ford cost 99 cents!

World War II. Things changed for the nation and the company. Binswanger supported the war effort by installing glass in Army and Navy buildings throughout the south, and by providing glass for the needs of the Red Cross and government hospitals. As the war ended, Binswanger continued it’s expansion, opening branches in Florence, SC, Danville, VA, and New Orleans, LA.

Binswanger Mirror. In 1947 the Binswanger family stretched the finances of the company and the family by building a mirror plant in Grenada, MS. The day before the plant was to open it was destroyed by fire, shortly after the paperwork was completed to insure the building. The plant was rebuilt with the proceeds from the insurance company. Mickey Binswanger would later say the family would have been devastated financially had the plant not been insured.  Binswanger Mirror Company would capitalize on the increasing demands of a post-war customer base and take advantage of the building boom that followed World War II. In the 1940s,

Binswanger Glass sold a full line of glass and mirror products as well as other products not normally associated with the glass business - garage doors, mantels, kitchen cabinets, breakfast nooks, and exterior doors. Dealer cost for top quality folding attic stairs was $69! When Binswanger Glass celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1947, there were 13 branches in 15 southern and southwestern states.

The 1950s let the good times roll. By 1955, Binswanger had nearly 1,000 employees and 21 warehouses. The company installed what was thought to be the largest pane of glass ever installed in the Southwest. The glass measured 250 x 122 inches and was used in the expansion of the Titche-Goettinger store in Dallas. Even more astonishing, this amazing feat was accomplished in a cold, driving rain and severe windstorm. In 1958, dealer cost for a Bent E-Z Eye and Solex Safety Plate windshield for a Chevrolet car was $24.15!

Change, expansion in '60s and '70s. In 1963 the Binswanger branch in Memphis moved to a state-of-the-art facility. The opening of the location was celebrated with a “glass cutting” (instead of ribbon cutting) ceremony attended by representatives of Libbey Owens Ford and Memphis Mayor Henry Loeb, who cut the glass “ribbon.”

After three generations as a family-owned business, the Binswangers began to explore the advantages of having a large parent organization. In 1968, they sold the business to National Gypsum Company. This provided additional resources for expansion. The company headquarters would be moved to Memphis, TN in 1973 when Milton “Mickey” Binswanger was named the President of the company. 


Mickey would continue the management style that encouraged an entrepreneurial spirit its location managers and employees. Managers were allowed to develop their branches according to the market needs and local culture. Binswanger locations were integral parts of the communities they served. Many believe this management style led to the long-term successes the company enjoyed over the years. 

A new market for glass. In 1974, under the leadership of Memphis Branch manager Hunter McKenzie, the company responded to a growing need in the furniture industry by founding the first company to produce heavy glass tabletops. Manufacturing operations began in the Memphis branch and business grew so rapidly they soon realized a larger facility would be required.  A new plant was opened to focus solely on table tops and insulated glass. The new plant was named Glasscraft. Soon glass tabletops were seen in prestigious homes and offices all over America.

Glasscraft would add another plant, Highland Glass, and grow into the largest fabricator of heavy glass tabletops in the world. Over the years, Glasscraft has solved hundreds of customer needs with creativity and ingenuity. This commitment to excellence is why Glasscraft was chosen to engrave the 57,000 names on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The project was led by Brian Carter, who would later open his own company, Classical, which continues to operate a decorative glass business in Memphis. 


In the 90’s, competition from foreign manufacturers would result in the company moving Glasscraft’s manufacturing facilities to Mexico. Soon after the company would discontinue manufacturing furniture glass as furniture styles changed which drastically reduced demand for glass tops. 

Changing ownership in the 80s and 90s.  These were turbulent times for the company. During this time there would be four parent companies and five Presidents. National Gypsum sold the company to Australian Consolidated Industries in 1986. ACI would be taken over by Australia based BTR-Nylex in 1988. 


Under the new ownership, the company would be split into distinct divisions. The all-in-one approach that allowed branches to participate in both the distribution and installation markets was abandoned in favor of separate divisions with focusing on one segment of the market. ACI Distribution was formed from the distribution and fabrication arm of the “old” Binswanger Glass Company. ACI would no longer participate in the retail and contract markets, but would distribute products to the Binswanger stores as well as external customers while Binswanger Glass would continue to focus on the retail and contract business. 


ACI Distribution would became a leader in the distribution of glass and glass-related products while expanding it’s fabricated product offerings. In 1992 Mexican Glassmaker Vitro wanted to expand in the U.S. and acquired the company from BTR-Nylex.

Continued Growth with the acquisition of Harding Glass - In the year 2000, VVP Binswanger became the largest glass retailer in the U.S. with its acquisition of Harding Glass. Binswanger Glass expanded its reach, adding over 100 branches and additional capabilities to the Binswanger group. This expansion would give Binswanger access to markets across the country, where before they were limited to the south and southeast areas.

Changing Course. The recession that began in 2009 as a result of the housing crisis as well as the global financial crises led to drastic reductions in construction activity and financial problems for parent company, Vitro. The company’s growth would give way to cost-cutting measures including branch consolidations and closings. The unfortunate turn of events would eventually lead to bankruptcy and the acquisition of the company by Sun Capital Partners in 2011, the current owner of the company.