About Barkow Glass Carriers

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A Tradition of Quality, Innovation and Service

F. Barkow, Inc. and the Glass Industry has been a partnership in progress. QUALITY, INNOVATION and SERVICE has been our trademark. We are recognized by glass dealers and glaziers as having the highest quality glass carriers made in the USA. We offer our customers a complete selection of available materials and sizes of glass carriers, from single-sided van glass carriers, all the way to semi-trailers, and everything in between. Every product we manufacture is custom-built by hand with the glazier in mind.

Since 1879, F. BARKOW Inc. has been building quality truck equipment and bodies to meet the needs of our customers. Today, all Barkow glass carriers and our exclusive glass holding system feature our patented Barkleats™, Barpads® and STAKE-LOC® self-locking stakes. Barkow products are specified and shipped around the world.

Please call our office Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. (central time) to discuss how F. BARKOW Inc. can help solve all your stone transportation needs.

John R. Weise, President
(800) 558-5580

Barkow glass carrier image.

Company History

1879

Barkow began manufacturing high-quality horse-drawn commercial wagons in Milwaukee. Herman Barkow had learned the wagon-making trade at the Krupp Works in Germany.

1910

With the introduction of motor-driven trucks, Barkow pioneered the development of specialized truck bodies in the Milwaukee area.

1923

Barkow introduced the first of its innovative vertical glass carriers to carry flat glass on truck cabs/chassis. These bodies were originally made of quality woods—primarily basswood, ash and oak.

1947

After World War II, Barkow phased out wooden glass carrier bodies and introduced more durable high-tensile steel construction.

1950's

Barkow developed the unique glass handling system of supporting flat glass with patented rubber Barpads® and Barkleats® for more secure handling of glass.

60's/70's

Energy concerns brought about the boom in insulated glass, and the need for glass transport systems capable of handling glass with greater thickness. Outside glass carrier ledgeboards grew from 2-1/2″ to 3-1/2″ to 5″ wide, as legal truck width limitations increased.

1980's

Barkow introduced glass carriers for pickup trucks and vans made of high-strength, lightweight aluminum material. Around 1985, Barkow applied the same technology used to manufacture carriers and bodies for the glazing industry to the stone industry.

1996

The first company in the U.S. to manufacture stainless steel glass and stone carriers.

1997

Introduced and patented STAKE-LOC™ self-locking stakes for glass carriers.

1998

Introduced the enclosed glass and stone carrier truck “THE WORKHORSE.™”

2000's

Today, Barkow offers complete glass and stone handling systems to move flat glass and stone from the end of your production line to the end-user with a minimum of handling and labor costs.

Today

As we approach our 150th anniversary, our commitment to craftsmanship and value are stronger than ever.