Glastender, Inc. was established in1969 when Jon D. Hall, Sr., founder and President, invented the world’s first rotary glasswasher. In the early 1970’s glasswashers were combined with sinks and ice bins to create pass-thru cocktail stations. The product line continued to develop into numerous types of underbar equipment.

Jon D. Hall

In 1979 Jay H. Kegerreis joined Glastender, Inc. as a corporate investor and Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. He provided the company with much needed expertise in business, sales, and finance. Along with Jon’s talent for creative design they formed the perfect alliance that became the backbone of Glastender’s success and continued growth. When Jay Kegerreis passed away in January 1998, Jon D. Hall, Sr. resumed sole ownership of the company.

Rapid expansion of the underbar line and purchase of the state of the art Strippit machine prompted Glastender’s first expansion in 1984. This added 5,000 square feet to the original 15,000 square foot building.

The company purchased the manufacturing technology and remaining inventory of the failed Florida firm, Cooler Corporation of America, in 1985. Using their foam-in-place technology as a starting point, Glastender, Inc. completely redesigned the original single door keg cooler and also expanded the refrigeration product line to include two, three, and four door back bar, pass thru, and rear feed coolers.


Old building which housed offices prior to 2001

Success of the refrigeration line, continued success of underbar and rotary glasswashers, and development of the totally new GT-18 series glasswashers prompted the second expansion in 1990. This expansion doubled the square footage, bringing the plant to 40,000 square feet.

Several factors contributed to continued success in the early 1990’s including: successful relationships with large restaurant chains, creation of the Mobile Design Center, addition of a second Strippit machine, and development of modular bar die, mug frosters, ice display units, and slide top coolers.


New office complex built in 2001

Ground was broke for Glastender, Inc.’s third expansion in 1995 with production moving into the new 60,000 square feet addition in early 1996. This year also marked two other historical moments when the company purchased the technologically advanced Salvagnini flexible manufacturing system and procurement of the remote beverage equipment line from Habco, Inc. of Toronto, Canada.
In 1999 the Salvagnini System was expanded upon to include a robotic panel bender and a second punch machine. Continued product expansion during the late 1990’s included the development of the lettuce crisper, reach-in mug chiller, lighted liquor displays, glass ice display units, and narrow door coolers.

The year 2001 brought several more capital investments. Automatic welding and sanding machines were added to production and ground was broke in the spring for a new 24,000 square foot office building. Further product development included redesigned mug frosters, ice bins, 24” keg cooler and the expansion of the wall-hung and drop-in hand sink line.

The new office building was complete and operable by May of 2002. In addition, the Lincoln Robotic welder was purchased in December 2002 to handle current production needs as well as exploratory development for R&D purposes.

More capital investment occurred during 2003, with the purchase of a Mazak laser and a Haas milling machine. In August of 2003, we created the Quality Manager position and started the initial work of a new Quality Management System (QMS). A successful trade show in September of 2003 unveiled our new underbar line as well as the end-wall back bar coolers. The end wall coolers were officially released into production in April of 2004.

Our innovative new underbar line was released in stages, with the final stage being completed in April of 2005. New products introduced as part of the new underbar line include: in-counter blender stations, drainboard half cabinets, drainboard drawer units, add-on cabinet bases, and a slanted liquor display cabinet. As part of the new underbar line, we began fabricating our own three and four compartment sink bowls out of 16 gauge stainless steel. Other new products developed and released during 2004 and 2005 include back bar liquor displays, back bar glass storage units, mobile ice baths, and an expanded drop-in unit line.

Glastender, Inc.’s willingness to develop products to meet new customer needs contributes to our constantly expanding product line. That, along with emphasis on visionary design, high value, quality manufactured products, dedicated employees, and extensive customer service before and after the sale is the root of our success. This has made us a leader and model for the food service industry.