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W.A. Wilson Glass Plus in Wheeling Marks 175 Years in Business

Photo Provided Robert Hartong II, left, Robert Hartong, center, and Steven Perilstein of W.A. Wilson Glass Plus pose for a photo outside the Wheeling company’s Fulton facility.

WHEELING — When W.A. Wilson Glass Plus was founded, John Tyler was president, the United States flag had 26 stars and West Virginia statehood was more than 20 years away.

With the Fulton-area company marking 175 years in business and an architectural trend taking shape placing an emphasis on glass, W.A. Wilson President believes the firm is poised to add significantly to that total.

The business has steadily produced an assortment of building products in its lifetime, but now focuses on fabricated and insulated glass, as well as architectural aluminum. As new construction aims for enhanced security and environmental efficiency, Hartong believes his company is in a strong position to supply the glass central in such designs. He said certain glasses can improve heating and cooling efforts within structures by insulating and reflecting sunlight.

“It’s unfortunate, but with the increase in mass shootings, people want to be able to see who may be entering their building, so they’re using more glass,” Hartong said.

The company shifted focus following the 2008 recession, before which it placed emphasis on the distribution and fabrication of auto glass. Vice President of Operations Carole Cain said the company managed the financial crisis fairly well and took the opportunity to attack a new business strategy. She said the last few years have shown strong support for its decision.

W.A. Wilson serves nearly 200 clients spread throughout West Virginia, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and parts of eastern Kentucky and western Maryland. Hartong said a majority of the company’s business lies beyond the Ohio Valley, but said activity at The Highlands and in downtown Wheeling has changed some of this.

The company supplied the glass used in the recent addition at WesBanco Arena, and it will do the same for the future Health Plan headquarters downtown and for the Boury Lofts under construction at 16th and Main streets.

Cain said the business is a robust place to work. It’s a counterexample to the common perception of the Ohio Valley as reliant on industries on the edge of faltering.

Its production facility employs roughly two dozen individuals who perform skilled labor. Hartong said W.A. Wilson benefits as an independently owned company because of the ability he has to manage employees directly.

He said relationships naturally form this way, which enables a more productive staff and a healthy work environment.

Hartong said he’d prefer to keep W.A. Wilson near its current size, noting the idea of growth isn’t always about the number of employees it has but the amount of revenue it can generate.

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