J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. Plans Major Expansion

J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. of Westville, N.J., a privately-held glass fabricator, will break ground on June 20, 2006 for its new 200,000-square-foot plant and offices at Gateway Business Park in Pedricktown, N.J. The company will be the lead tenant at Salem County's business park located just off Exit 7 of Interstate 295. J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. has purchased the 22-acre frontage of the 143-acre Park. The project is slated to be completed by April of 2007.

"We are the pioneers at this business park, and we are thrilled to be staying in the state of New Jersey. Although we didn't want to leave Westville, our home for 36 years, we had no ability to expand further in the current location, " says Arthur Berkowitz, president of J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. "The new site has immediate access to the interstate and is across the road from a private airport."

Founded 86 years ago in Philadelphia by Jacob E. Berkowitz, the family-owned and operated company specializes in the architectural glass market, both for domestic and export accounts. It fabricates Tempered Glass, Insulated Glass, Spandrel Glass, Silkscreen Glass, All Glass Entrances, and Structural Point Supported Glass Wall Systems.

The company has purchased new equipment, including a large laminating line to produce laminated glass for hurricane codes and other high safety areas.

According to Edwin Berkowitz, chairman of J.E. Berkowitz, L.P., the total investment in construction, land, and new equipment will approach $25 million.

"We expect to produce 50 percent more at the new plant. To give you an idea of how far we've come, we produce in half a day today what we produced in a year 30 years ago," says Edwin Berkowitz.

J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. currently employs 220 employees and plans to hire more workers when the new plant and offices are completed. J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. currently employs 220 employees and plans to hire more workers when the new plant and offices are completed.

"As the demand for high quality precision glass products evolves, J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. is making the commitment to meet that consumer need," says Robert E. Price, director of sales for J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. "By committing to building a state-of-the-art plant and offices at Gateway Business Park, we are staying the course on our strategic business growth plan."