52｜History of Glass: Japanese Glass Manufacturers, Handmade Glass Factories 22

Hello everyone! 🎵

Following on from last week, I'd like to continue discussing Kamei Glass, a company that significantly influenced and expanded the Japanese glass market.

The oldest catalog I have on hand is from 1989 (Showa 64 / Heisei 1).

Last week, I discussed the Satsuma Kiriko, Edo Vidro, and Nagasaki Glass series that Kamei Glass reissued.

This time, I'll be talking about imported products. First, about JG Durand, a French company that changed its name to ARC in 2000 (Heisei 12). In the 1990s, it was one of the largest glass manufacturers in France, producing crystal glass, soda glass, tempered glass, heat-resistant glass, and super heat-resistant glass for kitchen and cooking use. Its factory was located in the village of ARC, about three hours outside Paris. Initially, transactions were made through an agent, but from the late 30cm vases were produced in automated crystal factories, generating significant sales. Furthermore, to compete with the aforementioned HOYA Crystal, ARC's advanced technical capabilities led to the world's first development of colored crystal overlay glass, and then cut glass was produced using NC-controlled cutting machines. Subsequently, HOYA Crystal also began manufacturing colored overlay blanks with machines and released cut glass created with NC-controlled cutting machines.

Also, speaking of ARC, the white plate campaign by a certain bread maker is famous. These were ARC's tempered glass opaque white glasses and plates, with patterns printed on the surface, and later, black tempered glass was also developed and released. By the way, I think most households have white plates (laughs). How many plates do you think are distributed each year through the campaign? /// At its peak, nearly 10 million plates were used. This quantity, price, and physical volume are difficult for pottery or other types of glass to match, and they are popular with customers, so they have been campaign items for over 30 years. Originally produced in a French factory, they are now made in a Dubai factory. I presume the French flag is attached because they are made by a French company.

For glasses used in cafes and restaurants, especially fully tempered glass, DURALEX, also from France, is famous. However, ARC has an overwhelming number of items and series. While PYREX from the US is well-known for heat-resistant glass, ARC also produces many cooking pots and kitchen utensils. After Kamei Glass went out of business in 1997, wholesalers dealing in pottery and glass began handling ARC products, but their sales volume is nowhere near what it was during the Kamei Glass era. ARC itself has also ceased crystal production, undergone significant organizational restructuring, reduced its production system, and downsized its company through layoffs.