J. Sussman, Inc.

J. Sussman, Inc

Industry	Architectural Windows
Founded	1906
Founder	Isadore Sussman
Headquarters	Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York
Area served	International (primarily North America)
Key people	Isadore Sussman, Jack Sussman, Steven Sussman, David Sussman
Products	Custom Architectural Aluminum Windows
Services	Producers of custom architectural aluminum windows, skylights, sunrooms; metal and glass bending services
Subsidiaries	Sunbilt Creative Sunrooms
Website	J. Sussman Inc.

J. Sussman, Inc. is a family-operated business specializing in custom aluminum windows with a focus on architectural extrusions designed for stained and leaded glass applications. Situated in Jamaica, Queens, within New York City, the company runs one of the region’s largest manufacturing facilities powered by solar energy.

History

Established in 1906 by Isadore Sussman, an entrepreneur who brought his ironworking and window fabrication skills from Poland and England to America, the enterprise began from his apartment in Manhattan. Early contracts for church window installations throughout New York City helped cement the company’s reputation in the religious architectural sector.

During the late 1940s, Isadore’s son Jack propelled the business onto a national scale by combining innovative manufacturing techniques with traditional artisanal methods and launching marketing campaigns. In the 1950s, Jack developed specialized aluminum extrusions designed specifically for stained glass windows, positioning J. Sussman as a premier U.S. manufacturer within this specialized market.

Leveraging its expertise in metal bending, the firm expanded into producing custom architectural windows tailored for commercial structures. The 1970s saw third-generation leaders David and Steven Sussman enhance the product range by introducing thermally broken window designs and venturing into new areas such as skylights and greenhouses. Their expansion also included metal bending services for architectural elements like handrails and lighting systems.

In the 1990s, fourth-generation family members Robin, Jake, Jon, and Josh modernized thermal window technology by incorporating advanced thermal strip systems and launched historically accurate replication windows featuring concealed ventilation—further strengthening J. Sussman’s position in the architectural glazing industry.

Windows

Windows crafted by J. Sussman, Inc. are featured in iconic locations including St. Patrick's Cathedral (Manhattan), the Hoover Dam, the former American Airlines headquarters at JFK Airport, and the Chagall Windows at Hadassa Medical Center in Jerusalem. Their work is also highly visible throughout southeast Queens, with installations at venues such as the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, Jamaica Market, St. Thomas Moore Church at St. John's University (New York City), and St. David's Episcopal Anglican Church in Cambria Heights, Queens. Additionally, they supplied windows for the Paramount Building located at 1501 Broadway (Manhattan).

Solar panels

In September 2010, J. Sussman implemented a solar array consisting of more than 550 panels spanning nearly 13,000 square feet of rooftop space, marking one of the largest installations in Queens. This project was facilitated by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, which played a key role in obtaining various municipal, state, and federal tax incentives and grants that lowered the initial expense from $619,000 to just $62,000.

The firm projected recouping its investment within three years by reducing its annual electricity expenditure of $20,000. Steven Sussman noted the difficulty posed by escalating energy costs on New York’s manufacturing sector, while David Sussman underscored the ecological advantages of adopting renewable energy sources. The silicon-based solar panels were installed by Solar Energy Systems, a company headquartered in Brooklyn. According to Richard Werber, Business Services Director at Greater Jamaica, J. Sussman serves as an exemplary case for other southeast Queens enterprises pursuing environmentally responsible practices.

Sunbilt Creative Sunrooms

Sunbilt Solar Products, an affiliate of J. Sussman, Inc., focuses on producing bespoke sunrooms and greenhouses, catering to specialized markets by offering customized products and solutions.

Award

Jack Sussman, the company’s founder, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Stained Glass Association of America in 2007 in recognition of his visionary leadership and significant impact on the stained glass industry.