Pfaltzgraff is an American kitchenware company that has been in business for almost 200 years; it is part of the Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Company.
Pfaltzgraff started in the early 19th century in 1811 in York County, Pennsylvania. It was founded by several members of the Pfaltzgraff family who were potters, the most notable of whom was Johann George Pfaltzgraff. Johann, having come from a family of potters, knew the trade, and passed his skills on to his 7 sons. After Johann died in the late 19th century, three of his children, John, George, and Henry, were still carrying on the business. The business became official in 1889 when George and Henry started a partnership that would become The Pfaltzgraff Co. The first factory was built in 1895.
The business continued to grow, and in 1960, Pfaltzgraff opened their first retail store under the name Pottery Hill. During the 1950s and 1960s, the products were mostly sold in specialty stores, but in the 1970s, the business made a strategic decision to sell in higher-end department stores, such as G Fox and Macy's. A large mural depicting Pfaltzgraff's history was painted in York, Pennsylvania in 1998. The Pfaltzgraff Co. was sold to Lifetime Brands, Inc. in 2005.[1]
The glass is tempered to make sure that it cannot be cracked easily. The featherweight and sturdy glass products easily fit within a dishwasher. The models are stylish and they aren’t very easily damaged compared to other makes and brands.[2]
Today the company owns and operates 67 stores nationwide. The product line currently includes dinnerware, glassware, flatware, and other kitchen preparatory and cooking tools. Because of the age of the company, and the quality of the products it produces, Pfaltzgraff is well known for its collector community.