About Solvay Glass

Taking Care of Customers with a Touch of Glass

Success comes in many different ways: business, scholarship, sports, family, etc. And, success also can come with the company we keep. For many of us, we would be happy being successful at just one thing or maybe having personally known a successful person and, of course, being happy for them.

Charles (Chuck) Cometti, president of Solvay Glass of CNY, can humbly admit to success in many different arenas throughout his life. Chuck, born and raised in the Syracuse area, received a football scholarship at Syracuse University as a linebacker after being a first-year walk-on. Never giving up, he was able to play on the same team with NFL All-Stars Art Monk, Tim Green and Joe Morris, just to name a few. Chuck then graduated in 1983 with a degree in business management.

Chuck is also a success in his personal life. He has been married to his wife Nancy for 21 years has four children, two of which are in college and two not too far behind an accomplishment relatively rare in today’s society. And, the reason for our story, Chuck is a success in growing a family business started by his father, Henry (Hank) Cometti, in 1964.

Hank Cometti started Solvay Glass as a one-man shop on Milton Avenue in Solvay, NY, after spending a number of years working with his uncle in the remodeling business. The business started out with the popular products of the times storm windows and doors.

Chuck began working with his father in the summers, before working full-time as a salesman after graduation. Chuck says, “This was an enjoyable part of my career. I loved the challenge of sales; it was motivating for me. And, I especially enjoyed meeting and working with the homeowners.” Chuck continued to progress in the company’s hierarchy advancing to director of operations, then on to general manager before being appointed president in 1987.

At this time, Chuck began strengthening the company’s position in the marketplace. He continued their core business in storm windows and doors, and began to improve their position in the high-end glass market, providing and installing glass showers and mirrors. In the mid-l990s, he added sunrooms and luxury bath liners to the product mix. This led to substantial growth, which resulted in the decision to move the company to its current location on Erie Boulevard.