Sussman Architectural Products LLC – Manufacturing Custom Windows for Over 100 Years

Sussman Architectural Products LLC was founded by Isadore Sussman in 1906 as Sussman Ornamental Iron Works. Isadore learned the iron working trade in Poland and then moved to England where he learned to make windows. When he arrived in America, he set up his shop in his living room on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Isadore eventually persuaded a nearby stained glass studio into letting him make some windows for a church they were working on. Isadore was a perfectionist and extremely talented. Soon enough, he developed a reputation in New York City for building windows of the highest quality. His work can still be seen in some of New York’s most beautiful and prestigious cathedrals, churches and synagogues.

Isadore’s Son Jack Enters the Family Trade

In the late 40’s, Isadore’s son Jack took over the business. Although they had long ago moved out of Isadore’s living room, the business still consisted of Isadore working with a hammer, anvil and forge and several apprentices making windows. Jack took it a step further: he combined new processes with his Dad’s old world techniques, and, for the first time, they advertised. The name was changed to J. Sussman, Inc. In the 1950’s Jack Sussman revolutionized the industry by designing aluminum extrusions specifically for stained glass windows. At the time, it was a huge investment for a small metal shop but the gamble paid off- Jack was able to produce a better window for less money. His company became the leading church window manufacturer in the country. Naturally, this meant that Jack’s window designs became the gold-standard of the industry as other manufacturers tried to copy them. With the experience J. Sussman Inc. had in bending metal, it started bending as a service to the trade. Seeing the demand for custom windows, Jack Sussman started making custom architectural windows for commercial buildings.

David and Steven Sussman Join Their Father

In the 70’s, David and Steven Sussman joined the business and quickly brought it a step further. They developed thermally broken windows and opened up markets in sloped glazing applications such as skylights and green houses. Besides bending architectural systems, they were bending handrails, lighting fixtures, signs, shower doors, furniture and a host of other products for numerous industries. As a result of their metal bending experience, it was a natural for J. Sussman, Inc. to add glass bending to their services.

The Next Generation

In the last decade, the fourth generation consisting of Robin and Jake entered the family business. During this time, we have made advancements in both technology and aesthetics. Our thermal window systems have been updated to an in-house thermal strip technology, increasing performance and providing the option of having different finishes on the same frame. Additionally, we have introduced new lines of historical replication frames, as well as windows with equal sitelines and concealed ventilators.

Today, the modernized J. Sussman, Inc., now operating as Sussman Architectural Products LLC, is located in a 100% solar powered state-of-the-art 80,000 square foot building in Jamaica, NY. Our products have been installed in all 50 states and on five continents. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made throughout the generations, and will use the experience of our first 100 years to meet the challenges of the next. Our capability to manufacture high quality custom architectural products will remain constant, as we are committed to the old-world traditions that Isadore brought with him to the New World. Isadore and Jack would be proud.