Perserverance is a Blenko family trait. Also a trait of the Blenko Glass Company. Blenko has persevered through four generations , its been counted 'down and almost out' many times in the 23 years I've been living - but I'm fearful this is the end. Without a miracle, or some magnificent plan (that I know nothing about) - I can't imagine Blenko will reopen. It is a sad day. We are loosing the only manufacturer in Cabell County , the main attraction in Milton, West Virginia, 50-60 families are loosing their jobs, for many the only job they have ever known.
My own mind is riddled with the information. Knowing how deep Mr. WH Blenko Jr. feels for Milton, the workers, and the factory, one of my prayers had always been that he would at age 80+ never see Blenko close.
The finances are shut down, and the picture is bleak, but until we hear the final words of closure Blenko - The Blenko Glass Company remains as the only American manufacturer of mouth-blown sheet glass. Are we ready to see another American manufacturer - a local WVa manufacturer close? I know nothing of government interventions etc. but . . . .there should be something someone can suggest.
4 comments:
DO YOU ALL STILL READ THE MILTON BLOG? SOMEONE HAD THIS TODAY IF IT IS TRUE GREAT
SEEMS TO ME WRITER IS NAIVE MORE SO THAN YOU GLASSLADY 500 000 DOLLARS OF GLASS IS MORE THAN ANYONE COULD STORE MUCH LESS SELL IN A WEEK.
MOUNTAIN RITA IM PASTING IT HERE.
The vultures have descended upon Milton. It looks like all of the Heart of Glass collectors are at Blenko. The parking lot is overflowing. They should have the $500,000 they owe Big Two Mile by tomorrow.
If they invested a couple million to upgrade the business and turn things around, do you really think a 500k debt is going to shut them down? Remember that is a copyright and patent lawyer running that company and he is most certainly nobodies fool.
If there is a fire sale because the fires are going out.....this is a brilliant business tactic to greatly reduce inventory at a premium price return.
I am willing to bet that some of those glass kilns were nearing the end of their life cycle because some of them are decades old and built with outdated technology. Newer glass furnaces burn gas with a much higher degree of BTU efficiency at a much lower operating cost in that more heat is generated by the same fuel with new types of fire brick and insulation that did not exist when the old ovens were built decades ago. The cost of aquisition of new furnaces can be depreciated over a number of years on tax returns as a legitimate business expense.
The mere threat of reduction of supply makes for higher prices for Blenko collectibles.
So the boss failed to pay the gas bill and as a result all kind of sales and cash flow is coming in from all over at really good prices. The new management at Blenko needs to forget to pay the gas bill more often .A dollar to a doughnut says that new manager at Blenko is thinking like a fortune 500 corporate executive rather than a family business manager.
From what I have seen so far... he seems to have a talent for turning a lemon into lemonade.
The sales statistics will validate the demand for the product on the books, so once the judgement for the gas bill is paid off, there is no reason that Blenko would not be eligible for a loan for new furnaces.
I think they will be back in business soon because the price for Blenko collectibles will shoot through the roof. A revised Blenko with new hyper energy efficient furnaces and streamlined company structure (a modest downsizing) would be very highly competitive. And that my friends is the goal.
The new management has cleaned out inventory and pumped up prices on the aftermarket simply by failing to pay the gas bill....Brilliant!
There is a tremendous demand and Blenko certainly is a shoo in to get a loan for new furnaces the minute the gas bill is paid. What do you need to get a loan....January sales statistics will not hurt.
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Oh I think I found it. Big Two Mile Gas Company
900 Pennsylvania Ave
Charleston, West Virginia 25302-3548
(304) 343-2201
This is sooo wrong for so many reasons. I am saddened by this news. Blenko is an inovative company, hopefully the owners will find a way to keep the doors opened, be it through gov asistance, or through some miracle.
On the bright side it makes the desirability for Blenko items increase. Remember the increase of prices after the Fenton announcements?
Glasslady the word on the street is as collectors we are OK.
This news for glasslady must be like a death.
For those not so involved the pieces are a puzzle that fit.
Lay off Rick Blenko, and 2 other management people
Promote from within
Business as usual.
A communications major might be an improvement over the current management people.
Disrepect for customers, collectors and public in general.
Superior attitudes.
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