Pilkington UK has announced celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of its founding. Pilkington UK is part of the NSG Group and traces its history back to 1826.
That same year, the internal combustion engine was patented, the first photograph was taken, and Beethoven was at the height of his creative powers. Also in that year, in Merseyside in north-west England, four local families joined forces to establish the St Helens Crown Glass Company. The company is still operating today.
In 1849, William and Richard Pilkington acquired the business. The company was renamed Pilkington Brothers. In 1894, it became Pilkington Ltd.
In 1959, Sir Alastair Pilkington invented the float process (glass manufacturing technology). Molten glass was poured onto a bath of molten tin. This made it possible for the first time to reliably and continuously produce large, perfectly flat and transparent glass sheets of uniform thickness. The method permanently transformed glass manufacturing and modern architecture.
In 2006, Pilkington UK became a wholly owned subsidiary of the NSG Group.
Float glass remains the most widely used type of glass in the world today.
Pilkington glass has been used in iconic buildings including the Empire State Building in New York, the Louvre Pyramid in Paris and Britain’s tallest building, The Shard skyscraper in London.
In 2025, Pilkington UK completed a multi-million-pound investment in a new production line at its Greengate Works plant. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Neill Syder, Managing Director of Pilkington UK, said: “To be part of the 200-year history of such an iconic British brand is a real honour. From its home in St Helens, Pilkington UK has influenced the entire world, and I am proud of all our colleagues — past and present — who have contributed to this remarkable story.”
The Managing Director also added that in 2026 the company will continue investing in coating capacity in St Helens. New coating technologies will enable a new generation of architectural glass products.
Earlier, the Ukrainian company NovaSklo signed an agreement with Pilkington Technology Management Limited (NSG Group). Under the agreement, NSG will provide engineering support during the construction of a float glass production line in Kyiv region.
Photo: Pilkington United Kingdom Limited
NSG Group celebrates Pilkington’s 200th anniversary
Pilkington UK celebrates 200 years since its founding in England
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