FUCHS UK - Centre of Excellence for Glass Industry Lubricants host European Glass Lubricants Training

The glass industry lubricant portfolio VITROLIS is controlled and managed by Dr Iwona Szkoda-Giannaki in the “Technical Centre of Excellence for Glass Industry Lubricants” based at FUCHS UK.

It is the hub for new product development, technical support service and the development and control of quality assurance and manufacturing systems and procedures associated with all FUCHS glass industry products.

Crucially, the centre provides specialist technical support services to enhance that of the local FUCHS operations. The centre manages new product development and aids in the transfer of knowledge and technology to local FUCHS companies around the world. The centre is supported by the group research & development programs, and where potential developments in other fields of lubricant technology could benefit our glass industry customers, a forum for knowledge sharing is established. FUCHS UK chemists are supported by dedicated specialists in Europe as well as Asia and the USA.

European teams representing the Glass division in 14 countries attended a 2-day seminar held in the new FUCHS offices. Colleagues from both Technical and Sales departments attended the conference to discuss aspects of the VITROLIS range including an update on the product development which has taken place over the past 12 months, along with a session on the FUCHS Swab school concerning swabbing lubricants and correct swabbing techniques to improve production efficiency. This FUCHS Swab school was run by a Consultant from the glass industry David Fish who is a Qualified Mechanical Engineer who has 35 years’ experience as a production Manager at Owens Illinois who are the world’s Largest manufacturer of Glass containers.

Richard Rogers (Head of Special Lubricants Division) commented, "The Glass Industry is a sustainable and growing industry globally and represents an important part of Fuchs UK and FLT future product strategy. Our new product developments and approvals from OEM’s like HEYE; give us a strong and powerful message from which to strengthen existing customer relationships and develop new ones” and reported that it had been a very successful meeting and the subsequent feedback was extremely positive.