[Trade Journal]
Publication: The Glassworker
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
vol. 42, no. 21, p. 9, col. 2
AUSTRALIAN COMES TO INVESTIGATE
WINDOW GLASS BLOWING MACHINES
William J. Smith, general manager of the Australian Glass Mfg. Co., Ltd., the largest manufacturers of bottles and containers in the Antipodes, is booked to leave Melbourne early in March for an extensive tour of the United States and Europe in the interests of his company. One of the purposes of his stop in the United States will be to conclude arrangement for the purchase of window glass-blowing machinery, as it is the intention of his company to go into the production of window glass with machines. Mr. Smith will investigate the various types of machines and processes in the United States.
The Australian Glass Mfg. Co., Ltd., has decided definitely to enter the window glass-making field and will do so as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. Plans are nearly completed for the organization for this venture and it is the intention to build a modern plant equipped with the most up-to- date machinery procurable. The plant will cost in the neighborhood of $100,000 and probably will be located in Sydney.
That the Australian company is in position to carry out its window glass project is shown by the fact that it has a nominal capital of $2,000,000, of which $950,000 is paid in. Its board of directors includes some of the most influential financial and industrial men in the Southern Hemisphere. The board is composed of E. Norton Grimwade, chairman; Sir John Grice; William J. Smith; General Grimwade, K. C. M., G. C. B.; Alexander Stewart and Frederick J. Smith.
The company supplies approximately 90 per cent. of the bottles and jars used in Australasia, having factories at Melbourne, where the home office is located; at Sydney (two), Adelaide and Brisbane, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. These plants are equipped with the most modern bottle-making machinery and compare favorably with those of any part of the world.
Mr. Smith, during his visit to the United States, also will be interested in anything new in equipment or machinery for making bottles. The Australian plants are equipped with "Hartford" feeders and modern machines of various types. It is the intention of the company to keep their machinery up-to-date.
During his stay in the United States, Mr. Smith can be reached in care of Charles F. Ryan, Russell Engineering Co., St. Louis, Mo.