Well, you're nearly right!
The link to Newton-le-Willows (I am subscribed to that forum as well - the article is a good summary) is quite complex and involves a cartel of Chance, Pilkington Brothers in St Helens and Hartleys in Sunderland (John Hartley and his sons were also partners at Chance until 1836) often fixing prices to force smaller companies out of business. When the small company had reached desperate straits, the three conglomerates would buy it up and either let it continue manufacturer or, quite often, dismantle it.
I have photographed the original agreement between the owner of N-le-W glassworks, William Stock, and the 'Three' in which it states (paraphrased) that the owner must not produce glass in competition with them. I'd need to ferret it out for the exact wording, and I can't remember which of the 'Three' actually bought it up.
Another point that might have rankled the 'Three' is that N-le-W might have been recruiting workers from around the country, which could also have prompted the action. Indeed, if your ancestor did work there c.1851, then that might prove the case, although it depends whether the influx of workers were skilled crown glass blowers, or just semi-skilled or labourers. I suspect that if he migrated between the two he was either a skilled worker or, perhaps, even a manager.
But there were more than one glassworks at St Helens, so it is easy to get confused.
he was born in Tipton....