Saxco International Inc., long-time worldwide packaging specialty firm for the wine and spirits industry, announced here today the acquisition of the assets of California Glass Company and its affiliate, Pacific Coast Container Inc.

�The acquisition of California Glass Company and Pacific Coast Container adds significantly to our overall operating and marketing strength, especially in the western and northwestern parts of the United States ,� states Keith L. Sachs, chairman of Saxco International.  �The companies are an excellent fit and blend extremely well with our other operations.�

California Glass Company and Pacific Coast Container are distributors of glass bottles and other containers, principally to the wine and beer industries located throughout the western United States .  The company is the largest distributor of wine bottles on the West Coast.  Its principal supplier is Owens-Illinois Inc., the largest producer of glass containers in North America .

With some 86 employees, the company operates from two major modern distribution facilities in Oakland , Calif. , and Vancouver , Wash. , and is managed by the third generation of the Silvani family.

Founded in 1934 by Antonio Silvani as a recycler of rags and used wine bottles in San Francisco , the business soon expanded into the distribution of glass bottles.  The firm was managed by the second generation of Silvanis through a period which embraced the rapid expansion of the California wine industries in the 1960s.

            The third generation of Silvani management moved aggressively to expand coinciding with the 1980�s growth spurt in the wine industry.  In 1988, the operations were relocated from San Francisco to the present CGC facility in Oakland .  In 1991, PCC was formed and the distribution facility in Vancouver opened to service the emerging wine industry north of California . 

The CalGlass product lines consist of glass containers for the wine, beer and food industries, blow-molded bottles for a variety of industries and cork stoppers, capsules, plastic caps and other closures for the wine industry.  Glass bottles are the dominant product lines, though, representing 85 percent of sales.

According to Sachs, this is the third major acquisition for Saxco International in the last five years.  Five years ago, Saxco International formed Saxco Canada Co., acquiring a major supplier of bottles serving wineries throughout Canada and the United States .  The firm provides packaging enhancement products as well as expert consultation, from development to design.

A little more than a year ago, the company acquired Demptos Glass, LLC, of Louisville , Ky. , and Fairfield , Calif. , which now operates as a division under the name of Saxco-Demptos.  Saxco-Demptos provides total packaging development for the liquor industry, as well as domestic and imported bottles for the wine industry.

In addition, Saxco International recently expanded its international headquarters in suburban Philadelphia to better serve its continuously increasing customer base and their fast-growing demand for packaging products and expert consulting services.