The “S G” mark is seen on recent/modern glass containers (2000- c.2014). Saint-Gobain Containers, Muncie, Indiana (head office), known as Verallia North America (2010-2014). NOTE: Verallia North America (VNA) has officially been acquired by the Ardagh Group, based in Luxembourg, as of April, 2014.
The “SG” mark was phased out on American-made containers, being replaced by Ardagh Group’s “upside-down Omega logo” after 2014. (See that mark in the “U” entries on Page 5 of the glass bottle marks listings.) HOWEVER, I think there was a gradual changeover, with some molds being retooled somewhat later than others. (See the post by Jason B., in the Comments section below, which indicates at least some containers that were made in 2016 still had the SG mark on them).
ADVERTISEMENT
The ” SG” mark is seen embossed on many of their modern jars and bottles, usually on the lower heel area of the container, but sometimes on the base. I was told that Verallia continued to use the “SG” mark between 2010 and 2014 on their glass containers even though the “official” company name was changed.
This concern was formed when Ball Corporation and Saint-Gobain (SG also acquiring Foster-Forbes Glass at that time) merged in 1995 to form Ball-Foster. In the year 2000, the name was changed from Ball-Foster to Saint-Gobain Containers.
Saint-Gobain Containers/ Verallia is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, France, a huge firm with a corporate history involved with glassmaking that goes back over 300 years. Saint-Gobain has diversified and expanded it’s range of products greatly over the last few years, so glass container manufacturing is just one important component of their enterprise. They are the “number two” producer of glass containers worldwide, after Owens-Illinois, Inc.
Verallia North America was acquired by ARDAGH GROUP in 2014.
Ardagh Group (pronounced “AHR‘ – DAW”) now operates 11 glass manufacturing plants in the United States, some of which are former Ball Brothers/Ball Corporation factories.
The Ardagh Group in the United States currently [2024] includes glass container manufacturing plants operating at: Dunkirk, Indiana (operation dating from 1889) ; Port Allegany, Pennsylvania (1900); Sapulpa, Oklahoma (1913); Seattle, Washington (1931); Dolton, Illinois (1954); Henderson, North Carolina (1960); Burlington, Wisconsin (1965); Madera, California (1970); and Pevely, Missouri (1981). Also included under the Ardagh Group banner are glass plants located at Winchester, Indiana (former Anchor Glass plant, built in 1937) where a lot of BALL and KERR brand jars are still being made [as of 2020]; and the glass plant at Bridgeton, New Jersey (former Leone Industries plant acquired in March 2012).
NOTES: The Ardagh plant located at Milford, Massachusetts, built in 1973 (formerly Foster Forbes > Ball-Foster > Saint-Gobain Containers > Verallia) was closed down in the spring of 2018, Ardagh officials citing the closure as a result of the reduced demand for beer bottles in the US. The property was sold in late 2018 for redevelopment, evidently not specifically intended for another glass-related manufacturing facility.
In recent years, Ardagh Group also closed down their Salem, New Jersey plant in 2014 and their Lincoln, Illinois plant in 2019.
UPDATE on the closing of two more Ardagh locations: The Ruston (Simsboro), Louisiana plant (operating since 1978) as well as the Wilson, North Carolina plants (operating since 1977) both closed down in July of 2023, according to local newspaper reports:
Ardagh Group, Ruston, LA glass plant closing (the advocate.com)
Wilson, NC plant closing, owner and employees say
For some general info on the history of Saint-Gobain (worldwide operations), go to: Saint-Gobain.com .
Also, click here to see my Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company page.
Glass Bottle Marks pages, this link points to “Page One”.
Please click here to go to my website HOME PAGE.
ADVERTISEMENT
Maxwell House coffee used “SG 11” jars with their EZ GRIP lids. So far I have been unable to locate any jars that the EZ Grips fit. I have one jar and three lids.
Any help in locating suitable jars would be appreciated.
The “SG” to omega symbol transition has taken place on 46 fluid ounce (1.36 liter) glass pickle jars sold at Safeway supermarkets in northern California, as of 2017 (“Signature Kitchens” private label product). A pickle jar bought in 2016 (with “BEST BY OCT 01 2017” stamped on its lid) had a “SG” logo embossed near the bottom of the jar (number “11”(?) also there). A pickle jar bought in 2017 (with “BEST BY DEC 17 2018” stamped on its lid) had an omega logo embossed near the bottom of the jar (number “2” also there).
Hi Jason,
I appreciate your information! It’s nice that readers like you are paying attention to the changes that are going on with the marks that glass companies use on their products!
Take care,
David