Bendheim’s President Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

American Glass Guild Honors Robert Jayson’s Architectural Glass Legacy

Robert Jayson, President

We congratulate our company’s President – Robert Jayson – this year’s recipient of the American Glass Guild (AGG) Nicholas Parrendo Lifetime Achievement Award! The award recognizes Robert’s contributions to architectural art glass and the company’s legacy. Robert spearheaded the development and introduction of Restoration Glass®, as well as the launch of channel glass and decorative glass rainscreens to North America. He is also the only American to have worked at Glashütte Lamberts of Germany, the world’s leading manufacturer of mouth-blown sheet glass.

Robert has made an indelible contribution to the world of architectural glass over the years. He is the third generation to own and manage Bendheim. In this role, he is continuing the company’s 90-year-old legacy, together with his two brothers – Donald and Steven – as well as his son – Ben – now representing our company’s fourth generation.

In 1927, Bendheim was founded by Robert’s maternal grandparents Sem and Margaret Bendheim. In 1958, his father, Fred Jayson, joined the business and later took the reins. Fred recently celebrated his 97th birthday and remains actively involved in the company. This year, he marked his 65-year work anniversary at Bendheim.

In the early 1980s, shortly after taking a leadership role in the business, Robert noticed one of our art glass styles closely resembled true antique window glass. He recognized the need for such a product in the traditional building market and worked with Glashütte Lamberts of Germany to refine and turn it into Restoration Glass® – a highly accurate historic reproduction glass. The successful development of this product became the inspiration and bridge to our transformation into one of the foremost leaders in the specialty architectural glass industry.

In 2001, Robert built the company’s new Bendheim Wall Systems division, a premier provider of engineered channel glass wall systems and decorative glass rainscreen facades. He was instrumental in the development of the largest channel glass installation in the USA – the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO, by Steven Holl Architects. All the while, he remained committed to our company’s stained glass roots. He has presented at numerous art glass conferences and contributed to articles published in The New York Times, Old House Journal, Modern Woodworking, Faith & Form, and Stained Glass Quarterly. Most recently, he co-hosted The First Transatlantic Stained Glass Symposium in Waldsassen, Germany and presented at the American Glass Guild Conference in Rochester, NY.

The Nicholas Parrendo Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates AGG’s commitment to leadership and excellence. To date, Robert Jayson is one of six key influencers and contributors to the stained glass industry to have received the highly regarded award.

“This award honors Robert’s boundless commitment to the glass industry and pays homage to his grandparents’ vision and journey,” said Fred Jayson, former Bendheim President. “Robert has dedicated his life to supporting glass artists and design professionals, using the same principles of business integrity and product excellence established by Sem and Margaret Bendheim.”