Nemšová

Nemšová Glassworks has a history of over 120 years, during which it has established itself as a significant player in the glass industry in Slovakia. It was founded in 1902 when entrepreneur Anton Dreher took advantage of the natural resources of the region, particularly the extensive beech forests that provided wood to fuel the glass furnaces. Its location in the Trenčín district, right on the railway line between Trenčianska Teplá and the Vlársky Pass, allowed the glassworks easy access to raw materials and business partners.

Initially, Nemšová produced hand-blown glasses, jugs, and other glass products, which were characterized by quality and fine craftsmanship. It was only a few years later that the glassworks focused on pressed glass, which soon became their most significant product. Pressed glass brought fame to the glassworks, especially due to the LORD tableware collection, which became an icon of Czechoslovak glass production. These products found a wide audience and began to be exported abroad, giving Nemšová a reputation throughout Europe.

In 1913, the glassworks came under the management of an experienced expert, Vincent Schreiber.

However, the glassworks in Nemšová also faced difficult times. During the economic crisis in the pre-war years, production had to be significantly reduced, and in 1932 the company came to a complete standstill. A revival came in 1936 when glass production was resumed, but without the original pressed molds, which had been sold. At this stage, the glass workshop had to completely reassess its product range and focus on new products, including semi-automatic production of packaging glass. This new direction allowed the glassworks to secure new orders and maintain its position in the market.

Thanks to modernization and the enthusiasm of glassmakers, the old glassworks transformed into a modern production hall with new molds and technologies. Designers such as Karol Hološka, Václav Hanuš, and Trnka contributed their designs for new molds, which brought a new style and improved product quality to the glassworks in Nemšová. Their work attracted the attention of foreign merchants, further establishing the glassworks in the international market.

The last major milestone in the history of Nemšová Glassworks came in 2002 when the factory became part of the international group Vetropack. Under new management, the glassworks focused on producing packaging glass, securing a stable position in the market to this day.