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Bennington, Vermont - February 27, 2009
Inside an old manufacturing facility in Bennington, there is new reason to celebrate. Catamount Glass president Alain Karyo says, "We usually never lay off people. We have not done that in 30 years."
This month, Catamount Glass is marking its 30th year in business. Alain Karyo started the company solo in a basement, with just $10,000 in sales. Now he has more than 20 employees and $1.6 million in product going out the doors.
Karyo says he's gotten offers to move his business to China, but has turned them down because he wants to keep those jobs in Bennington. "It's almost like a family business," he explains. "People who have worked here worked a long time. Our decision was to make sure they stay and have a job."
The company has an unusual specialty: making laboratory-grade heat-resistant glass. It's high-tech enough for use by scientists, but homeowners use the glass gravy separators, microwave popcorn poppers, measuring cups and more.
Employee Donna Poulen beams, "It is pretty cool to think someone across the country is using our glass."
Catamount also does custom printing on other manufacturers' glassware. Much of this is for corporate gifts or parties. Breweries often hire the Vermonters to decorate their pint glasses and growlers.
Poulen says, "You have to know different gear sizes and how the art is supposed to look on the glass, so it's not as easy as it looks!"
The company's laboratory glass is sold through major chains including Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, and big mail-order dealers. Karyo expects the recession may cause sales to dip slightly, but not disastrously. Karyo says, "We're doing fine. It's a niche market."
His way to ride out the downturn is to make what few other manufacturers make, focusing on hand-craftsmanship from his "family" of workers. Karyo explains, "That's been our key. We want to keep it that way."
That will also keep the "Made in Vermont" name a key part of Catamount Glass.
Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont
