glasstec 2024 is once again the central meeting place for the global glass industry. Our exhibitors are taking the opportunity to present their latest products and solutions to an international audience and make valuable contacts. Below, they share their impressions and experiences of glasstec 2024 - straight from the horse's mouth.
Stefan Göhner, Sales Director, Ambilight (HK) Limited, Hongkong, China
The start-up company was founded in Silicon Valley, USA, and is now headquartered in China. German sales manager Stefan Göhner emphasises: “The production conditions and infrastructure in China are particularly good”. Ambilight specialises in electrochromic technologies and has been continuously expanding its market share since it was founded in 2017. Stefan Göhner explains the technology: “This has practical applications in so-called smart windows, which automatically darken to reduce glare and heat in buildings. Other areas of application include automatically dimming rear-view mirrors and sunroofs in cars as well as eyeglasses and ski goggles. The technology helps to save energy and increase comfort. He is full of praise for glasstec: “The density of important contacts here is very high. Next time we will significantly increase the size of our trade fair team so that we can hold even more discussions.”
Yildirim Togo Kalecik, General Manager, Metal Kimya San. Ve Tic. LTD: Sti, Istanbul, Turkey
Metal-Kimya was founded in 1999. Yildirim Togo Kalecik is proud of the company's history: “We were the first company in Turkey to produce inorganic and organic glass coating paints for the glass processing industry. We are currently active in the white goods, construction, automotive, furniture and glass packaging sectors. The Turkish company is attending glasstec for the third time and feels very comfortable: “The organisation of glasstec is excellent. We meet business partners from India, China, the USA and Iran, to name just a few regions. This is our most important event.” The Managing Director describes declines in turnover of up to 25 percent in recent years as a challenge, but at the same time puts it into perspective: “We are coming from a very high level with incredibly high growth rates in many years. That's why we are optimistic and are using the shrinkage for further development.”
Joe Conti, Lead Applications Engineer, Mark Snowberger, Sales & Solutions Engineer, SONO TEK Corporation, Milton, NY, USA
Sono-Tek is a global leader in ultrasonic coating technologies. The technology enables the precise application of thin-film coatings to materials used in areas such as medical technology, electronics, glass manufacturing, solar cells and semiconductor production. Mark Snowberger has high expectations for glasstec: “Our focus is on customer acquisition and customer retention. After the Covid break, we realise that requirements have grown everywhere. High functionality and quality are in high demand. Thanks to many discussions, we are in a position to consistently align our product range with the market”. Joe Conti adds: “Despite many external negative influences to the market, we are optimistic, set priorities and continue to develop. glasstec provides us with orientation and the dialogue with others confirms this.”
Ryan van Esch, VARROT TEC, Uden, Netherlands
VarroTec B.V. is a Dutch company that specialises in the manufacture and supply of heat treatment systems for the container and packaging glass industry. Ryan van Esch explains: “We have been in existence since 2017 and have grown successfully in recent years, which is why I would no longer describe us as a start-up. Last year was particularly good. Our customers get everything from a single source: design, production, sampling, logistics, to name just the most important areas.” VarroTec operates worldwide. Ryan van Esch explains the importance of glasstec: “Our customers come from the USA, Australia, Canada and South America. We meet all nationalities at the trade fair. The event is without alternative.”
Oliver Claußnitzer, Sales Manager (Europe), Magneco/Metrel UK LTD, Shildon, United Kingdom
Oliver Claußnitzer enthusiastically explains the unique selling point of Magneco/Metrel: “We specialise in high-performance monolithic refractory materials. The unique selling point of the ‘MetPump®’ technology is particularly relevant in the glass sector. This offers exceptional durability for industrial linings and reduces downtime through fewer repairs. MetPump® products utilise colloidal silicate as a binder and are tailored to different applications.” Magneco/Metrel has been a regular customer at glasstec for a long time. The Sales Manager explains the reasons: “Anyone who is not represented here has no serious ambitions. Our aim is to respond more and more specifically to the requirements of our customers. These are growing from year to year. glasstec is indispensable as a forum and for dialogue.”
Peter Guan, Sales Manager, Truspacer, Panjin City, China
The Asian company specialises in spacers for the glass industry and manufactures machines. The spacers are crucial for separating the glass panes in double or triple glazing and help to improve thermal insulation. Peter Guan has been an exhibitor for over ten years and remembers the early days: “Back then, we hardly had any international customers. Thanks to our regular presence at glasstec, we have built up an international network within just a few years. We now sell to 60 countries.” This year, Truspacer is presenting a new product. Peter Guan uses the exhibit as an example: “Thanks to innovative automation, our new machine concept saves half the manpower. Instead of four people, one to two people are sufficient for the production line set up here.”