PHOENIX, Jan. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- John Phillips, Jr., owner of Associated Crafts, Inc., today announced the friendly acquisition of Willet-Hauser Architectural Glass, Inc., the largest and one of the oldest stained glass studios in the U.S, including its expansion into 14 countries.
"It is an honor and privilege for me and for my family to have been invited and chosen by the Willet-Hauser families to continue their exceptional 116-year-old legacy in stained glass," Phillips, Jr. announced. "Our personal relationship with them goes back 40 years, so we have tremendous respect for their brand and their craftsmanship. It's a truly exciting moment for us!"
Mike Hauser of Willet-Hauser concurs.
"We are delighted that the Phillips family, whom we have known for over 40 years, will continue the tradition and legacy of the Willet and Hauser families," says Hauser.
Renown for its expertise in stained glass creation and major historic landmark restorations, Willet-Hauser is not new to acquisition. Willet Studios, founded in Pittsburg, Penn., in 1898, and Hauser Art Glass Company, founded in Winona, Minn., in 1946, merged in 1977, to become Willet-Hauser Architectural Glass, Inc.
For 100 years, Willet-Hauser designed and restored stained glass in more than 20,000 churches and institutions, including: The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.; The Church Center at the United Nations in New York; Grace Cathedral in San Francisco; The Second Baptist Church in Houston; The Alice S. Miller Chapel and the Jeanne Vail Chapel at Northwestern University; the Cathedral of Saint Phillip in Atlanta; Princeton University Chapel; The Cadet Chapel at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point; Arlington National Cemetery Chapel; and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, to name a few.
Associated Crafts, founded by John Jr. and Mary Phillips in 1997, has become one of the most successful studios in the U.S., renown for its expertise in preservation, restoration and renewal. Like Willet-Hauser, Associated Crafts is passionate and relentless in its pursuit of excellence in quality, customer service, integrity and flawless teamwork.
But there is an interesting twist to this story.
On John Phillip, Sr.'s birthday in November, 40 years ago, he began working for Willet-Hauser Architectural Glass.
"I remember those days well," recounts John Jr. "Riding around with my dad as he inspected windows. I learned a lot. I literally grew up in the stained glass industry."
In 1980, Phillips Sr. left Willet-Hauser to open Phillips Stained Glass, in Pennsylvania, working with his son until the business sold 10 years later. John Jr. continued in the industry, doing sub-contracting, sales and consulting for several other studios, including Willet-Hauser.
"For 11 years I was mentored by the Hausers," recalls John Jr. "Our families retained a friendship over the years. That's another reason why this acquisition is very exciting. It has a lot of meaning for us."
"Stained glass windows has been our life-long career," adds John Jr., who notes that the two brands will retain their individuality.
"This merging of two giants in the stained glass industry dramatically expands our pool of seasoned artisans and craftsmen," John Jr. continues. "It vastly increases the resources and expertise we can offer our clients. We're in growth mode, and this puts us at the pinnacle of the stained glass industry in the U.S., if not internationally."
For more information about Associated Crafts, go to www.AssociatedCrafts.com . For more information about Willet-Hauser Architectural Glass, go to www.WilletHauser.com .
John Phillip, Jr., co-owner of Associated Crafts Inc. ph 480.889.4748 e:
