9th Glass Processing days: Glass industry professionals from 60 countries attend GPD

The world’s leading glass industry conference, Glass Processing Days (GPD), organized by Tamglass Ltd. Oy and Z. Bavelloni S.p.A took place at Finland’s impressive Tampere Hall conference centre from 17th to 20th of June.

First organised in 1992, GPD has grown to become the leading forum of its kind. It brings together researchers, architects, designers, industrialists and processors for a common dialogue on the hot topics within the industry.

The concept was to give the industry a forum where experts from around the world could exchange ideas and help the industry move forward collectively. It was intended a move away from jealous corporate secrecy that could endanger the development potential of this hugely versatile product.

The latest trends

Trends discussed this year ranged from glass processing and applications, to automotive glass development, advances in insulated glass, coating technology and the use of safety and energy efficient glass in buildings and facades.

With slightly fewer delegates than 2003, around 850 glass industry professionals from 60 countries attended this year’s event to hear some of the 200 papers that were delivered.

This year the programme also included more practical training in a selection of specialist workshops.

Science meets Commerce

Having all the delegates together in such a small place, provides an excellent opportunity for networking and sharing information about common problems and market trends.

As Steve Lipscombe of Logic Chain Marketing Communications UK (and chair of the ‘Local vs. Global Markets’ work session at GPD) points out, it is the genuine mix of technical expertise and commercial interests that makes GPD unique. ‘In today’s competitive environment it is no longer enough just to be a technical specialist’ Steve explains, ‘A solid understanding of commercial matters is also required for the versatility that marks today’s business professionals’.

Shifting markets – the future

GPD offers participants the opportunity to increase their knowledge of the industry, hear the latest research results and formulate a clearer view of where the industry is heading for the future.

This year, the conference served to underline the differences in today’s global market. While many in Europe have been complaining of an economic slow down, the emerging markets, particularly China, India, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union, are opening up at a staggering rate.

Competition from within emerging markets will undoubtedly threaten the current dominance of the big players but, as Arthur Ulens, CEO of Glaverbel, pointed out in his opening speech (see page 20) the real players will view these emerging and shifting markets as an opportunity rather than a threat.

The truly international nature of the conference was underlined as Tamglass announced that Dubai-based Al Abbar Architectural Glass (AAG) are to take delivery of one of the world’s largest Low-E tempering (toughening) lines in August this year. The Tamglass ProE Magnum is capable of tempering glass sizes up to 7.2 x 3.3 metres and will enable AAG to respond to the ever-increasing demand for larger glass in the Arabian Gulf and beyond.

A relaxed atmosphere

An exhibition was held in connection with the conference in a large marquee outside the more formal sessions. The marquee served as a lunch and coffee break venue, lending a more relaxed atmosphere to the exhibitions and photo presentations on display.

‘One of the most important objectives of GPD, alongside its lectures and exhibition, is to create a setting that is conducive for networking and the exchange of ideas’ says GPD Organising Committee Chairman, Jorma Vitkala. Creating this atmosphere includes organising evening get togethers, a conference dinner and, of course – the Farewell party. This year the party had a Finnish theme with traditional food, music and handicrafts.

We intend to publish some of the papers delivered at the conference later in the year – so look out for them.

For more information on upcoming GPD events, including GPD China, please go the website: www.gpd.fi