April 22, 2025
As Glass Magazine celebrates its own 75th anniversary this year, it will be highlighting companies that are also surpassing a milestone. General Glass International is celebrating an impressive 125 years in business in 2025.
So, what does it take for a glass company to survive and thrive for over a century. Glass Magazine spoke with President and CEO of GGI David Balik about how they’ve been able to do so, and here’s what he had to say:
What does it take to stay in business for as long as GGI has?
It takes perseverance, having the right team in place, and being proud of your history while remembering the lessons learned. It’s important to focus on your current business, plan for the future, treat both employees and customers with respect, continuously evolve the business, and remain ready to adapt when and where it is needed. Our 125th anniversary theme, “Built on Legacy, Driven by Innovation,” captures what has helped us grow and thrive through five generations.
As Glass Magazine celebrates its own 75th anniversary this year, it will be highlighting companies that are also surpassing a milestone. General Glass International is celebrating an impressive 125 years in business in 2025.
So, what does it take for a glass company to survive and thrive for over a century. Glass Magazine spoke with President and CEO of GGI David Balik about how they’ve been able to do so, and here’s what he had to say:
The “Balik Boys” honored at a fundraising tribute, General Glass Industries Corporation was recognized by the Glass and Mirror Division as the up and coming distributor of NYC.
Circa 1970s, the “Balik Boys” honored at a fundraising tribute, General Glass Industries Corporation was recognized by the Glass and Mirror Division as the up and coming distributor of NYC.
What does it take to stay in business for as long as GGI has?
It takes perseverance, having the right team in place, and being proud of your history while remembering the lessons learned. It’s important to focus on your current business, plan for the future, treat both employees and customers with respect, continuously evolve the business, and remain ready to adapt when and where it is needed. Our 125th anniversary theme, “Built on Legacy, Driven by Innovation,” captures what has helped us grow and thrive through five generations.
What were the major milestones of GGI’s business development?
One key milestone was beginning to import glass in the 1950s. We started importing out of necessity due to a shortage of glass in the U.S. market. The establishment of the Jeannette float glass facility in the 1980s marked another major step forward. After that, GGI expanded into specialty glass distribution and fabrication in Secaucus. In 2010, the installation of our first Dip-Tech printer, a facility expansion, and the launch of Alice® Direct-to-Glass Printing became a pivotal moment in shaping the business we know today. Over the years, we’ve continued adding fabrication capabilities to support more complex glass configurations and to create greater efficiency throughout production. We’ve also kept pace with technology, upgrading our digital imaging capabilities and now operating our third printer with the latest advancements.
What kind of historical events has the company survived—worked through?
GGI has successfully navigated several major events, including the closure of the Jeannette facility, the 2008 housing crisis and recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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