CROWN COMMERCIAL HISTORY

1926 - the best join forces

Crown Commercial company began in 1926 when several Sydney glass makers amalgamated to form Crown Crystal Glass (owned by A.C.I). The Balmain Glass Works, the Crown Glass Company of Alexandria and the Crystal Glass Works of Waterloo were well known for producing hand blown and pressed flint and crystal glass. Their joint production facility, as Crown Crystal Glass, was set up in Bourke Street, Waterloo.

1928 - meeting and creating new markets

The new company changed direction in 1928 to meet emerging tastes and markets. European glass cutters were brought to Australia to teach the difficult craft of glass cutting. High quality crystal was marketed under the brand 'Grimwade Crystal', with a second quality range sold under the 'Wyndham' brand, both keenly sought after by collectors.

1940's - diverse supply to a community at war

With the war preventing products coming from overseas, Crown Commercial's full resources were required to supply the community needs. Production was certainly at its most varied!

Over 2,000 employees made cut glass, laboratory ware, glass for domestic use, cookware, lighting, tubing ampoules, glass for food packaging, roof tiles, cups and saucers for the armed forces and electricity insulators. It has been said that no other glass works in the world produced such a wide range of different products.

1960's - pioneering designs and international recognition

In 1961 a new factory with three glass furnaces was built at Bourke Street, Waterloo. With the introduction of American made Hartford machines, the company created new glass designs and increased the market for existing products.

As a result the popular Regis glass range was launched. Its success formed the basis for a whole new series of designs which have won seven Australian Design Awards and secured export business in over twenty countries.

Hand operation at Crown Crystal Glass ceased in 1968.

1970's to 90's - business partnerships & alliances

In 1972 the A.C.I Australian owned and operated Crown Crystal Glass merged with the Australian subsidiary of the Corning Glass Works of USA to form Crown Corning Limited in an equal partnership venture. This union was to last until 1988 when Crown Corning divided and Crown^® joined ACI Packaging to become ACI Crown.

1997 saw Crown Glassware form strategic alliances with European and South East Asian suppliers.

2000's - new millennium, new era

In February 2000, McPherson's Limited acquired the Crown Glassware businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

This was the start of a new era for Crown^®, the first of a series of actions that build on the strengths and market-leading position of Crown Commercial and its brands.

In 2004 Crown Commercial was chosen by premium Italian glassware manufacturer Luigi Bormioli to be its exclusive foodservice partner/distributor in the Australian marketplace.

With Crown Commercial's extensive and well established distributor network already marketing and distributing capacity and general glassware, Luigi Bormioli has secured the perfect sales vehicle to cater to the Australian foodservice market with the ability to reach every possible level of operator.

In 2005 McPherson's Ltd announced the amalgamation of Crown Commercial, also known as Crown Glassware, with McPherson's Consumer Products Pty Ltd to form one entity.

This major development creates significant opportunities for Crown Commercial to expand its influence in the marketplace through broader product development, marketing and sales strengths.