** This article appeared in The Parkersburg News on Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Fenton meets sales goals

By SAM SHAWVER

POSTED: April 1, 2008

WILLIAMSTOWN — Fenton Art Glass has met its sales and shipping goals for the first quarter of 2008, and the company is now preparing new products that will be offered dealers by mid-month.

But production, which is caught up for now, will cease for a couple of weeks at the Williamstown facility, according to an announcement by company president George Fenton on Monday.

“Because we have completed glass production for the orders on hand, our glassmaking area will pause for a week or two,” he announced. “Other areas, decorating, sandcarving, shipping, etc., will work on a modified schedule.”

Fenton said the factory gift shop will continue to operate and tours will be conducted during regular business hours.

“We’re on target for sales and shipping, and our plant is operating efficiently,” he said. “These are significant steps toward a successful restructuring of our finances, and our financial advisors are pleased with the communication we’ve had with our creditors.”

The 103-year-old glass company, on the brink of a permanent shutdown last fall, is making a comeback after the reorganization efforts.

“We’re still negotiating with creditors, but we’re definitely moving in the right direction,” Fenton said.

According to a company news release, since restructuring began in late 2007 Fenton Art Glass has made two scheduled new product offerings to its network of approximately 2,000 dealers nationwide.

The latest of those offerings was in late January, and the next new product line will be offered through the company’s Internet-based catalog on April 15.

Fenton explained that the new product offerings are pre-scheduled, and dealers have a limited timeframe in which to order, but the orders determine the company’s production schedule.

“The dealers order through the Internet, then we produce according to the demand,” he said. “If you’re making the product beforehand, you’re always guessing how much you’ll need. This is much more accurate.”

A brief meeting was held Monday to bring employees up to date on the firm’s progress and plans for the future, including the continuation of the recently-formed Fenton/International division, developing a product line from outside the U.S.

Kelly Blazosky, executive director of the Marietta/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Fenton continues to be a draw for tourists to this area.

“When we talk to group tour operators, we let them know first thing that Fenton is still in operation,” she said, noting that some people had not heard that the company did not close last year.

“We just came off our biggest travel trade show in late March, the National Travel Showcase in Milwaukee, Wis., and Fenton representatives were there,” Blazosky said. “The travel operators were glad to hear that the glass company is continuing production, and that they can include Fenton Art Glass on their itineraries.”

Fenton noted that the glass company is also a featured industry this year at the West Virginia Cultural Center in the state capitol building in Charleston.

He said the company will continue to host special events and activities at the factory. The next scheduled event is a demonstration of special glass production by master craftsman Frank Workman on April 12. For more information, call Fenton Art Glass Company at (304) 375-6122.