Portland Glass History

Portland Glass® was founded in 1947 by Samuel Cohen, who learned the glass trade in Boston and Lewiston before setting up his own shop in Portland. As automobiles rolled off the assembly lines in great numbers following World War II, Sam foresaw a promising future for the auto glass replacement business, and he was right.

Gene Cohen took the reins at Portland Glass after his father's death in 1963 and began the task of expanding and diversifying the company. He added new retail lines, offered replacement service for storefront glass, and opened new retail stores at the rate of one or two a year. He also looked for opportunities to improve the delivery of services. Gene's commitment to innovative ideas and unparalleled service would eventually lead Portland Glass to prominence as one of the leading companies in New England.

New Ideas, New Products, New Markets

In fact, Portland Glass has a record of innovation that includes many "firsts." The company was first to offer a written lifetime warranty on windshields, first to develop full-time training programs, first to reach out to the insurance industry, first to provide mobile auto glass replacement service, and first to introduce a 24-hour emergency plate glass service.

In the late seventies, Portland Glass began to manufacture and install insulated glass units. In 1984 the company added vinyl replacement windows to the production line. Sales and services expanded to include tub and shower enclosures, patio doors, custom mirrors, sunroofs, overhead doors, storm doors and windows, framed mirrors, hardware and a full range of Division 8 and 10 products (windows and doors). Store locations expanded beyond New England as well. The first stores in the state of New York opened in 1995.

A Commitment to Professional Excellence

Today, with over 200 employees in 41 locations, Portland Glass is recognized throughout the industry as a leader in promoting professionalism and quality standards throughout its entire organization. The company has a record of continuous improvement for workplace safety and quality control; ongoing training programs are offered at all levels. In fact, Portland Glass employees are known as the best-trained, most dedicated workers in the field. This commitment to professional excellence begins at the top and is shared by each and every person at Portland Glass.