Libbey Glass LLC (“Libbey”), one of the world’s largest glass tableware manufacturers, recently announced a commitment to maintain its operations, along with its existing corporate headquarters, in Toledo.
The company will expand production in Toledo with an additional stemware line, bringing security to the facility. With the assistance from JobsOhio, Libbey plans to invest nearly $30 million over the next four years to maintain the plant and move the production line to the Glass City.
“We are excited to maintain and build upon our presence here in Toledo through greater investment. Over the course of more than 130 years, the Toledo region has supported our business and helped us flourish. This is a great opportunity for us to show our appreciation to the regional community by positioning our company for even more growth.”
- Jim Burmeister, COO, Libbey
Libbey currently has 930 employees located between its north Toledo manufacturing facility and its downtown corporate headquarters. The company operates five plants across the world.
“Libbey glass tableware is respected and admired worldwide, and we are proud it will continue to call Ohio home after more than 130 years in Toledo. Along with our partners at the Regional Growth Partnership, we appreciate the collaboration with Libbey to bring an additional production line to Toledo while maintaining this iconic brand’s presence here in Ohio.”
- J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO.
Founded in 1818 as the New England Glass Company in Massachusetts, Libbey moved to Toledo in 1888 because of an abundance of natural gas and access to large deposits of high-quality sand. Toledo also had a network of railroad and steamship lines, making it an ideal location for the company. It later changed its name to Libbey in 1892.
In addition to the raw materials and infrastructure assets that initially attracted Libbey to Toledo, the company also recognized the commitment of its current workforce as a critical factor in the company’s decision to expand here.
Along with JobsOhio and the Regional Growth Partnership, Libbey also received assistance from the city of Toledo with an expansion incentive.
"Libbey is part of the backbone of Toledo and we are thrilled that the company has committed to increasing its investment in our city. Libbey helped give Toledo its nickname and its identity, It has always been a crucial part of our history, and now with this new production line, it also will be vital to our future."
- Wade Kapszukiewicz, Toledo Mayor