Libbey

Based in Toledo, Ohio (known as “The Glass City”), Libbey has been America's leading glassware manufacturer since 1818. It is the dominant force in the North American foodservice industry, meaning the water glass you hold in 8 out of 10 American restaurants is likely made by Libbey.

Libbey specializes in high-volume, incredibly durable soda-lime glass designed to withstand the rigorous abuse of commercial kitchens and bars.

Libbey is famous for two specific manufacturing treatments:

• DuraTuff®: A specialized thermal after-process for “pressed” tumblers (like the iconic *Gibraltar* glass). It increases resistance to thermal and mechanical shock. If a DuraTuff glass breaks, it breaks into larger, safer chunks rather than exploding into tiny shards.
• Safedge® Rim Guarantee: Introduced in 1924, this was a revolutionary warranty. Libbey guarantees that if the rim of a Safedge glass chips, they will replace the glass or refund the money. This addressed the #1 complaint of restaurant owners: chipped rims.

The Gibraltar collection is arguably the most recognizable glass in the world. With its octagonal base and round rim, it is the quintessential “diner” glass, designed to be stacked, dropped, and washed thousands of times without failure.

While they own European crystal brands (like Spiegelau), the core Libbey brand represents the pinnacle of Soda-lime Glass engineering. They prove that “common” glass, when engineered correctly, can be a premium industrial product.

— See Also:

• Why Soda-lime is Best for Heavy Usage
• The Gibraltar Tumbler Design