Archives for July 2019

The GGF represented the UK industry by presenting and participating in international industry discussions at the 3^rd Annual Convention of the International Glass Associations.

Representatives from trade bodies from all over the world attended the two-day event in Venice with presentations and contributions from glass associations from South America, China, Australia, USA and Europe.

On attending the event, Kevin Buckley, GGF Group Chief Executive commented, “I was delighted to represent the GGF and the UK industry at this international event. Presenting to a like-minded audience who share common issues in their respective markets was interesting and the discussions that followed were most engaging.”

At the convention, one of the key proposals was to promote glass as a material to a worldwide audience with plans already underway for a “Year of Glass” in 2022. The initial draft proposal will be forwarded to the United Nations in New York outlining why glass is such an important material and worthy of such a prestigious accolade. This project is in its embryonic stages but one that is worth watching to see just how it can fully develop to raise the profile of the glass and glazing industry.

The GGF’s presentations at the convention highlighted to delegates the key political campaigns the Federation is running on energy efficiency, training and skills as well as fire safety. The presentation was well received and other topics covered during the event included glass and security, glass research, recycling and sustainability. As well as trade organisations, the convention also attracted members of the international trade media, academics and researchers.

Kevin Buckley summarised, “We have made a lot of interesting contacts at this unique event. Going forward our aim will be to make more of our relationships with the wider international glass community and to understand how other countries are dealing with similar issues to the GGF. It is an event we will be pleased to attend again in the future.”

The GGF recommends that all companies operating in the Conservatory & Orangery sectors enter these new awards which have captured the interest of many in the industry. The entry deadline has been extended to Friday 26th July. 

The GGF is not only promoting the awards but will also be involved in the judging process. The winners will be announced on Wednesday 30th October 2019, at the inaugural Conservatory & Orangery Awards at The Midland Hotel, located in the heart of Manchester’s city centre.
The impressive building stands proud in the heart of Manchester’s city centre, and over the course of its 100-year history, the hotel has played host to kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers and rock stars.

Luke Wood, Editor of GGP commented, “The Conservatory & Orangery Awards have been launched to recognise the innovation, talent and skill that has been the driving force behind this transformation in the sector. We have extended the deadline to give more the companies a last chance to enter this year’s awards. ”

James Lee, GGF Director of External Affairs added, “We are pleased to see the deadline has been extended for the Conservatory and Orangery Awards.
This will now give more companies the opportunity to enter and win these prestigious awards.”

To find out more about the awards ceremony in October and how you can book a table – Click Here

On 9^th July a record turn-out of players arrived at the Tudor Park Hotel near Maidstone for the GGF London and South East Golf Day.

With 45 attendees at this year’s event, the morning’s play was over 9 holes for the Preedy Glass Trophy (Best Greensome Pairs score).

In the afternoon, Members played for the Pilkington Cup (Best Individual Stableford Score). In addition, there was a Veteran’s Competition for players over 55. Also, there was a Best Team Competition for the Thermoseal Trophy. This was supplemented by the Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive Competitions.

The winners were:

Following a day on the course, the event was completed by a Prize Giving Dinner held in very high spirits in the Tudor Park Hotel restaurant.

John Mannell, Chairman of GGF London Region commented, “It was as usual a very well organised day by the GGF’s Peter Stuttard with exceptional numbers in attendance. The weather stayed on side for all 27 holes and gave members a great chance to network throughout the day. I think it’s now down to see if Joe Hague can complete the hat trick of wins in the GGF’s North West Golf Day in September.”

Peter Stuttard, Event Organiser and GGF Regional Manager, said afterwards “I was delighted to see record numbers of GGF Members and guests enjoying the day. This event has been held for many years and just seems to grow from strength to strength.”

The next GGF Golf Day will be held Chester in the North West on the 3^rd of September. If you are interested in taking part in GGF Golf Days please contact the GGF membership team membership@ggf.org.uk.

The recent Glass Performance Days in Tampere proved insightful and enjoyable for the GGF and Members alike as over 1,000 delegates from around the world, participated in four days of excellence from workshops, conference sessions, seminars, forums and an exhibition from hundreds of companies in the global glass industry.

The events continued into the evenings with a “Get Together Party”, Conference dinner and memorable “Farewell Party” that this year was combined with organizer Jorma Vitkala’s retirement party – and he went out in amazing style – hovering 100ft above a lake at midnight in water jet boots to the gasps of hundreds of GPD visitors on the lakeside in the land of the midnight sun

Kevin Buckley, GGF Chief Executive attended the event and commented:

“My principal interest in the Glass Performance Days conference was to attend the seminar on Vacuum Insulated Glazing. This is an emerging technology that some of our Members are already using because of its performance in terms of form-factor and thermal efficiency. The seminars, led by Dr Cenk Kocer of the University of Sydney, were both excellent and we will be issuing some information on the evolution of this technology for the benefit of interested Members. I have made some interesting contacts from GPD and the evening events were a great opportunity to meet representatives from global companies, other trade bodies and members of the international trade media for our sector. The GGF will definitely attend and participate at this event again in the future.”

GGF Members also attended the event including Francis Serruys, Director, Technical Sales Support and Business Development of Saint-Gobain who said:

“I have attended GPD since 1995. Soon after I became the chairman of the GPD ‘Tempering & Pre-processing’ session. Since then the evolution in the glass processing industry has been considerable, from the introduction of post-temperable coatings, to the Heat Soak Testing according the EN-standard and recently the progress made in reducing the appearance of anisotropy in heat treated glass. Attending the GPD allows you to keep up with the state-of-the-art technology in the glass industry. Moreover, as participants from all-over the world are attending this conference, it is a unique opportunity for networking.”

Regalead visited GPD for the first time and Guy Hubble, Managing Director commented:

“We’ll definitely make this bi-annual event a fixture in our travel plans. From the opening night’s high level presentations right the way through to the closing party on the Friday, the conference was inspirational, educational but also fun. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn what’s coming down the road in terms of architectural glass technology and of course, the chance to catch up with industry experts from around the world and to spend time with some of the other key distributors for EvGuard, our lamination partner, who were also a Silver sponsor of the event. It’s probably the only time I’ll ever witness 600+ of the glass industry’s leading lights in cowboy hats….no further comment required!”

GGF Member, Gailord Nepp, Business Development Manager at Wintech Testing & Certification, a GPD regular commented:

‘A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instil a love of learning’ -Brad Henry. Attending GPD is like attending school with good teachers. The speakers, give relevant, up-to-date and innovative presentations. It’s a joy to participate, catch up with business friends but more importantly to have real time access to a pool of exclusive industry knowledge. I look forward to the future of GPD, and seeing how it will reinvent itself after the departure of Jorma Vitkala”

The last words go to the man known as “Mr GPD”, Jorma Vitkala who has been instrumental in the organisation and promotion of the event since GPD started 27 years ago. Though Jorma is retiring, he is not making a sudden departure and will continue in a consultative role for GPD.

“I want to personally thank everyone who has contributed to and attended GPD over the last 27 years. It has been a great journey and this year’s GPD has reached new higher levels of excellence. With over 1,000 participants in total, including all the speakers, Helsinki High Rise seminar, management forum guests and local Tampere workshops, GPD 2019 has set new records in many ways. An all-time high of 280 first-timers attended, marking a new era of next-generation participants. These will be some of our upcoming ambassadors to carry on making GPD a truly one-of-a-kind forum for openly sharing ideas, innovations and inspiration.

GPD 2019 was very special to me as it was my last as Chairman of the event. Being Chairman of the Organizing Committee has been a special highlight of my lifelong career. This year’s Farewell Party – along with my retirement party – was literally one of the highest points in my entire life. Although I may have look utterly horrified when being lifted up by water jets on a flyboard, I was thoroughly enjoying myself.

I especially wish to express my deep appreciation to the sponsors of this spectacular party: Eckersley O’Callaghan, Sika, EVguard, DOW, Glasstress, Bohle, Polypane, Sedak, Trosifol, Buhler, Dormakaba, Fenetech, Le Gruyere Aop, Glaston and Frintrup.

We will be putting out more on this year’s activities, but the feedback I have already received has been unbelievably positive. I will continue to act in an advisory role to keep the GPD network going and connect people in the industry for next GPD generation. Once again thanks to everyone who has made GPD an outstanding event for the glass industry.”

To find out more about Glass Performance Days please visit: https://gpd.fi/

Has your company performed to exceptional standards within the last year? Are you developing new products that push the industry forward? Have you demonstrated excellence within your field, perhaps with a new initiative, training programme or in customer service? Do you have an unsung hero in the company who deserves recognition? If so, you should enter the G19 Awards, now firmly established as the premier event for the glass and glazing industry.

G19 is now open for entries and with twelve categories to enter there is something for every type of business, big or small.

Organiser of the G-Awards, Tony Higgin is keen to ensure that the Awards are as inclusive as possible: “The range of categories for the G19 Awards means the vast majority of companies should find at least one they can enter, and I would like to emphasise that size isn’t everything – SMEs are encouraged to take part. It’s not the size of the budget that counts, but the way in which individual companies use the tools they have to excel.”

Team morale is boosted, new sales and marketing opportunities created, brand visibility increased on a national level and having a G-Award brings credibility to your brand in the eyes of your customers.

There is no charge to enter the G19 Awards, which are independently judged by a panel of experts. Finalists will be announced in September and winners will be announced at the G19 Awards Presentation & Gala Dinner on Friday 29 November at the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel. The closing deadline is 31st July 2019.

To enter the G19 Awards, please follow this link: https://g-awards.co.uk/gawards2019/en/page/categories