** This article appeared in The Parkersburg News on Friday, May 30, 2008

Fenton Art Glass plans to auction off excess equipment

By JOLENE CRAIG

POSTED: May 30, 2008

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WILLIAMSTOWN — As a phase of its restructuring, Fenton Art Glass Saturday will auction equipment and other items no longer needed by the glass manufacturer.

“We are selling excess equipment to free up space and give the funds the items can bring in,” said George Fenton, company president.

Auctioneer Mike Voshel, who will be heading up the auction, said there are a lot of items set to be in the auction at the factory’s maintenance facility.

“I probably should have had two days for as much stuff is here,” Voshel said. “(Fenton) has been adding to the items daily.”

The items include industrial tools, such as welders and steel work tables, through to office materials, such as filing cabinets and portables offices.

“The (items) range from collectables down to scrap metal,” Voshel said.

Fenton said the items come from all over the factory and will interest individuals and businesses with the variety.

Voshel said it is unknown all of the items that will be part of the auction and how much money the auction will bring to the company.

“It’s really hard to say given the amount and variety of the items,” Voshel said.

Glass-making tools will be limited in the auction, including molds the factory uses to make their famous glass pieces, Fenton said.

“There will be no molds,” he said.

Voshel said he has worked with Fenton Art Glass on auctions before and this auction is upsetting.

“It’s sort of saddening to see what they have to do to keep afloat,” Voshel said.

Fenton also said that people should not look at the auction and think Fenton Art Glass is closing.

“We are selling things we don’t need and keeping what we do need to continue our business,” Fenton said.

It was nearly 10 months ago when Fenton announced the factory would close perminantly due to financial problems. Less than four months later, the 103-year-old glass company announced it would try to remain open and restructure the business.

The auction will begin at 10 a.m. with a preview of the items will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today.