The glass industry in all its manifestations is an important part of the UK – and global – economy. High volume glass manufacturing contributes around £1.3bn to the UK economy each year and provides more than 6,000 direct jobs plus an estimated 115,000 more in its supply chain. It’s a major manufacturer, it’s innovative, it cares about its people - and it cares about the future.
Here British Glass chief executive Dave Dalton writes:
“I’m looking forward to a fascinating and inspiring day with our conference and prestige annual awards ceremony this month which will celebrate all that is best in the industry.
“Our afternoon information session focuses on ways in which digital technology drives manufacturing, and we will have keynote speeches from Graham Hillier from the Centre for Process Innovation; and Chris Sorsby of Glass Technology Services.
“Graham was a core member of the team that created the UK’s first Technology and Innovation Centre – the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Chris is a director of Virtual Reality Machine Training which has developed an Oculus Rift virtual reality simulator of a bottle-forming machine that promises to revolutionise training in the industry. Chris will discuss the use of virtual reality in manufacturing and how this can be utilised by the glass sector.
“They are followed by an expert panel discussion which includes Alan Norbury, the Industrial Chief Technical Officer of Siemens plc.
“Glass Focus is great opportunity to meet fellow delegates from across the glass industry to demonstrate what we can all do and look to the future of our industry.
“The awards evening showcases the innovation and excellence in glass that underpin our industry’s contribution to the economy, to society and to our customers, staff and stakeholders. My lips are sealed as to the winners, but I can reveal that the entries for every category gave the judges a very hard time!
“Do please join us if you have an interest in this wonderful industry and its future at the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield – itself a wonderful glass building. Tickets can be booked here: book your place online.”
