The family-owned and operated company was honored by USGlass Magazine for its ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability.

PAULSBORO, NJ—McGrory Glass, one of the largest independent architectural and decorative glass companies in the country, has been awarded the 2020 Green Award for Glass Fabricator of the Year by USGlass Magazine­­.

“We’re honored to receive the USGlass Magazine­ 2020 Green Award for Glass Fabricator of the Year,” said CFO Bill Hoy. “At McGrory, proactive sustainability will always be a core value. We’re here to help, and our team is fully committed to actions that truly make a difference—not just documentation, but sustainable business practices not required by regulation.”

USGlass Magazine’s annual Green Awards recognize companies, products and people dedicated to improving the environmental and sustainable wellbeing of both the glass industry and the planet. The magazine’s editorial team reviewed all nominees and selected winners that demonstrate an environmentally conscious commitment through their products, operations and individual efforts. Specifically, the judges assessed companies based on their commitment toward improving their environmental operational performance, along with their sustainability strategy.

McGrory Glass was one of the first major glass fabrication firms to reach net zero consumption, thanks in part to the 2.2-acre solar paneled roof on its main manufacturing facility, which was installed in 2012. The company, which has an active internal Green Committee, uses environmentally friendly and recycled materials in its operations. For example, its proprietary glass-mounting system CaptiveHook® is composed of almost 40% recycled materials. McGrory’s warehouse participates in recycling programs for other manufacturing components, such as interlayers, and reuses wooden shipping pallets.

The company is also focused on providing project-specific LEED details and helps facilitate project certifications.

“The bulk of our custom architectural and decorative glass solutions are Red List free (those products containing chemicals designated as harmful to humans and wildlife, or to the environment) and inherently non-emitting sources of VOCs,” says Helena Mutak, Marketing Director and McGrory Green Committee member. “Because our solutions are unique to our global architectural and design firm clients’ visions, we provide custom environmental and LEED documentation daily. It’s not just good customer service: It’s the right thing to do.”

That’s why supplier selection is also important.

“Our international supplier partnerships are with global manufacturers that have been proactive front runners in environmental and sustainability efforts,” Mutak says. “We only align with those who reflect our values, and those of the architectural and design community, and our customers.”

For example, AGC, one of McGrory’s fire-rated glass suppliers, recently made the top 20 of the Wall Street Journal’s “100 Most Sustainably Managed Companies in the World.”

The glass manufacturer’s Green Committee, led by Senior Architectural Sales Representative and LEED Certified expert Mike Hunkin, is always looking for ways to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. This special committee includes members across staff levels, including Vice President and Part-Owner Mike McGrory, and has spearheaded initiatives like the 2.2-acre American-made solar paneled roof.