Mdina Glass

Mdina Glass is a Maltese glassmaking company whose identity is built around handcrafted glassware, local artisan training, and the adaptation of European glassmaking techniques to Malta. The business originated in the late 1960s, shortly after Malta became independent, when the Maltese government was offering incentives intended to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and industrial investment. Among those drawn to the island were Michael Harris and Eric Dobson, colleagues and lecturers connected with the Royal College of Art in London. They imported glassmaking equipment and established Maltese Glass Industries, which soon adopted the name Mdina Glass. The company became active in 1968 and is described as Malta's first glassware manufacturer. Harris and Dobson's venture combined imported technical knowledge with the development of a local workforce. Once the business was established, Harris trained Maltese nationals in glassmaking, and the company employed approximately 15 people in its early period. Joseph Said, one of Harris's first apprentices, distinguished himself as a glassmaker and eventually became a central figure in the company's development. In 1971, the Italian father-and-son team Vincente and Ettore Boffo joined the business, bringing Italian glassmaking methods and experience to Malta. Their involvement broadened the technical foundation on which Mdina Glass developed its products. Harris left the company in 1973 for personal reasons, leaving Dobson to manage the business. By 1975, Said had risen to become production manager. His growing responsibility coincided with operational and product changes that altered the way Mdina Glass worked and what it made. When Dobson returned to the United Kingdom in 1985 and relinquished control, Said took over. The company was experiencing difficult commercial conditions at the time, and Said initiated changes intended to stabilize and renew the business. During the 1990s, Mdina Glass upgraded its raw materials, production methods, and product range. The company introduced lampworking techniques to Malta in 1990, and by 1995 its artisans were developing products using fusion techniques. These additions expanded the range of forms and decorative effects available beyond the company's earlier glassmaking methods. The brand's output has included handmade glass vessels and decorative glass objects, with production closely associated with skilled individual craftsmanship rather than standardized mass manufacture. Mdina Glass later developed into a family-involved enterprise. Joseph Said's children Olivia, Nevise, Pamela, and Alan became integral to the company. Olivia Said is identified as Production and Product Design Manager. The business has also operated outlets and employed personnel across glassmaking, sales, and administration; the referenced company history describes a workforce of approximately 50 people. This indicates a structure combining workshop production with direct retail and visitor-facing commercial activity. The brand has represented Maltese craft internationally as well as serving the domestic market. In 2012, Mdina Glass was invited to participate in the 'This Is Malta' exhibition at Harrods in London. It also received the National Artisan Award in two consecutive years, although the available reference does not specify the years. Mdina Glass's positioning therefore rests on Maltese origin, handmade production, artisan skills, and the continued use of techniques introduced or developed through British and Italian influences. Detailed current ownership, financial performance, corporate structure, and official web information are not established in the supplied references.

Mdina Glass emerged from Malta's post-independence industrial development. After Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, the government introduced incentives, including a reported ten-year tax holiday, to attract outside entrepreneurs and skilled workers. Michael Harris and Eric Dobson, colleagues associated with the Royal College of Art in London, responded to this environment by moving equipment to Malta and establishing Maltese Glass Industries at the end of 1967. The venture became operational in 1968 and soon took the name Mdina Glass. It is identified as Malta's first glassware manufacturer. The founders initially had to create both a production operation and a local skills base. Harris trained Maltese nationals in glassmaking, and the company developed a workforce of roughly 15 people during its early established period. Joseph Said was among Harris's first apprentices. His aptitude led to increasing responsibility, and he later became production manager. In 1971, Mdina Glass added the expertise of Vincente and Ettore Boffo, an Italian father-and-son team who introduced Italian glassmaking techniques. This helped connect the company's Maltese workshop with established continental craft traditions. Harris departed in 1973 for personal reasons. Dobson then continued as the principal leader, while Said advanced within production. By 1975, Said was production manager and was involved in changes that reshaped the company's operations and product output. Dobson relinquished control in 1985 and returned to the United Kingdom. The business was then facing weaker commercial performance and challenging conditions. Said assumed control and implemented changes intended to improve the company's position. The 1990s brought a further technical and product transformation. Mdina Glass replaced its basic raw materials with higher-quality materials and introduced lampworking techniques to Malta in 1990. By 1995, its artisans had developed their use of fusion techniques across a broader product range. These methods expanded the visual and structural possibilities of its handmade glass and supported a more varied portfolio of functional and decorative objects. The company subsequently became a family-involved operation. Joseph Said's children—Olivia, Nevise, Pamela, and Alan—were described as integral to the business. Olivia Said held the role of Production and Product Design Manager. The company also operated several outlets and employed people in glassmaking, retail sales, and administration. The supplied historical account places the workforce at around 50 people, although no date or current employment figure is provided. Mdina Glass has promoted Maltese craftsmanship beyond the island. Its participation in the 'This Is Malta' exhibition at Harrods in London in 2012 provided an international retail and cultural showcase. The company is also reported to have won Malta's National Artisan Award for two consecutive years. Taken together, these developments present Mdina Glass as a craft manufacturer whose continuity depends on the transmission of workshop skills, the Said family's involvement, and the selective incorporation of British and Italian glassmaking knowledge. Current corporate ownership, financial information, exact retail footprint, and detailed product catalogues are not established by the supplied sources.

• 2012

  Participation in Harrods' 'This Is Malta' exhibition

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  Mdina Glass presented its work at Harrods in London as part of an exhibition focused on Malta.

• 1995

  Fusion techniques expanded the product range

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  The company's artisans developed fusion techniques for use across a wider range of products.

• 1990

  Lampworking was introduced

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  Mdina Glass introduced lampworking techniques to Malta, expanding its technical capabilities.

• 1985

  Joseph Said took control of the company

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  Eric Dobson returned to the United Kingdom and relinquished control; Said took over during a commercially difficult period.

• 1975

  Joseph Said became production manager

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  Said's advancement from apprentice to production manager marked his growing influence over production and company development.

• 1973

  Michael Harris left Mdina Glass

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  Harris departed for personal reasons, leaving Eric Dobson as the company's principal leader.

• 1971

  Italian glassmaking expertise joined the company

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  Vincente and Ettore Boffo joined Mdina Glass and introduced Italian glassmaking techniques.

• 1968

  Mdina Glass began operating

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  The company became active as Malta's first glassware manufacturer and soon adopted the Mdina Glass name.

• 1967

  Glassmaking equipment was brought to Malta

  [1]Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org

  Michael Harris and Eric Dobson established the foundations of Maltese Glass Industries and imported the equipment needed for glass production.

Maltese artisan glassmaking combining handcrafted production, local craft training, and European glassmaking techniques.

• Functional glassware · 1968

  Handcrafted glassware

  Mdina Glass's core output consists of handmade glassware produced by skilled artisans. The available reference identifies glassware manufacture as the company's principal activity but does not provide a complete current catalogue or detailed specifications for individual designs.

• Decorative objects

  Decorative glass

  Decorative glass objects form an important part of the brand's artisan positioning. Product development expanded through improved raw materials, lampworking, and fusion techniques, although individual named collections are not identified in the supplied material.

• Artisan glass · 1990

  Lampworked glass products

  From 1990, Mdina Glass used lampworking techniques introduced to Malta through the company. This process became part of the technical development that enabled additional forms and decorative treatments.

• Artisan glass · 1995

  Fused glass products

  By 1995, Mdina Glass artisans were applying fusion techniques to a broader range of products. The technique represented a later stage in the company's expansion of its handmade product capabilities.

• 2012This Is Malta at Harrods

  United Kingdom · Malta

  Mdina Glass was invited to participate in Harrods' London exhibition titled 'This Is Malta', using the event to showcase Maltese-made glassware to an international audience.

  Outcome. The reference confirms the company's participation but does not report sales results or a longer-term commercial agreement.

  Source

• 1995

  Expansion into fusion techniquesProduct launch

  Background

  After improving raw materials and introducing lampworking, the company continued to expand its production methods.

  Action taken

  Mdina Glass artisans developed fusion techniques for a wider range of products.

  Aftermath

  The change contributed to a broader and more technically varied product range, with no quantified commercial impact reported.

  Source

• 1990

  Introduction of lampworkingGeneration change

  Background

  Mdina Glass sought to develop its technical capabilities and broaden its product range.

  Action taken

  The company introduced lampworking techniques to Malta and incorporated them into its glassmaking development.

  Aftermath

  Lampworking became part of the technical foundation for later handmade products.

  Source

• 1985

  Joseph Said took over during a difficult commercial periodStrategy

  Background

  Eric Dobson decided to leave operational control and return to the United Kingdom while Mdina Glass was reportedly performing less strongly than in earlier years.

  Action taken

  Joseph Said assumed control and introduced rapid changes intended to address the company's commercial situation.

  Aftermath

  The source describes subsequent changes in the company's techniques, production processes, and product range, but does not provide quantified financial results.

  Source

1. 1Mdina Glassen.wikipedia.org