Expansion Plans Underway for Meltdown Glass

Meltdown Glass in Chandler, Ariz., is currently expanding its operations and moving fabrication capabilities into a new production studio. BJ Katz, principal and art director, says the expansion will allow the company to produce four times its present capacity and will bring lead times to about five weeks.

"Our studio expansion is necessary for us to be able to continue to fill customer orders on time," says Katz. "Meltdown Glass is presently working six (and sometimes seven) days a week. Our actual studio space will increase from 4,500 square feet to 13,500 square feet."

New fabrication equipment is also part of the expansion.

"We will have a Bavelloni double-headed laser drilling machine and Bavelloni glass washer," says Katz. "We will have a crane system for moving panels of glass and we're adding kilns; our new panel size will be 7 feet by 12 feet."

Katz says the expansion would not have been possible without support from customers.

"Meltdown Glass enjoys the reputation for delivering on time, as-specified, top-quality kiln-cast art glass. Our commitment to our customers is a continuation of the same high quality art glass they are accustomed to receiving from us," says Katz. "We keenly value our relationships with our clients, and we recognize their part in providing us with the opportunity to expand the art glass industry through their projects."

Katz expects the expansion to be complete by March 2009.

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