Our History - Brin Glass Company

Founded in 1912, Brin Glass Company is celebrating more than 100 years in the glass and glazing business. Today, we are the leader in design, fabrication, distribution, installation and service for greater Minnesota, western Wisconsin and the eastern Dakotas.

1891
St. Germain’s is Founded

St. Germain’s is founded by Thomas J. “T.J.” St. Germain and Albert St. Germain as T.J. St. Germain’s Company in Duluth, MN.
1908
Northwestern Glass Company is Founded

Northwestern Glass Company is founded in 1908 by E.C. Kischel in Minneapolis, MN.

1908
1912
Brin Glass Company Founded

Brin Glass Company is founded by Arthur Brin at 614 1st Street N. Minneapolis.
1941
New President
Howard Brin becomes President of Brin Glass Company.

1941
1955
Acquisition
Brin Glass Company acquires Northwestern Glass Company.
1978
New Ownership

Howard Brin sells Brin Glass and Northwestern Glass Company to Doug Nelson and Larry Waller and they name the company Brin Northwestern Glass.

1978
1979
Expansion
Brin Northwestern Glass Company moves to 2300 N. 2nd Street-Minneapolis and acquires St. Germains Glass Company, Duluth, MN.
1980
Heartland Glass is Founded

Heartland Glass is founded in Waite Park, MN, by Ray Schueller, Mal Patton, and Jim Scherer.

1980
1990
Aquisition
Brin Glass Company acquires Heartland Glass.
2007
Bill Sullivan Acquires Heartland

Bill Sullivan acquires Heartland Glass and runs the company independently while remaining a customer of Brin.

2007
2013
ESOP & Merger
Brin Northwestern Glass Company establishes an ESOP and re-acquires Heartland Glass, with Bill Sullivan returning to join the Brin leadership team.
2016
Growth & Corporate Divisions
Bill Sullivan becomes President, initiating Doug Nelson’s retirement. Fabrication and distribution are relocated to Fridley, MN, rebranded as Northwestern Glass Fab. The parent company returns to the original Brin Glass Company name, inclusive of contract and service teams in Minneapolis. The Brin Family of Companies now has 4 locations.

2016
2018
Doug Nelson Retires
Doug Nelson retires, Bill Sullivan assumes CEO role for the Brin family of companies.
2025
New President & CEO

In 2024, Priscilla Koeckeritz was named President, initiating Bill Sullivan’s retirement transition. In 2025, she assumed the role of President & CEO, with Sullivan continuing as Chairman of the Board.

2025