In the summer time we all learn that Tamglass and Bavelloni have changed their names to Glaston. While Tamglass and Bavelloni corporate identities are no longer in use, the company officials expected that the well-known names will remain as strong, leading trademarks in glass processing technology.

The Finnish parent company of the Tamglass group, Tamglass Ltd. Oy was also renamed to Glaston Services Ltd Oy. Tamglass Engineering Oy, manufacturing and selling safety glass machinery, was changed to Glaston Finland Oy. The Italian Bavelloni's new name is Glaston Italy Spa.

The name change of the companies follows Kyro Corporation's name change to Glaston in the beginning of June. Nearly all Glaston subsidiaries will change their names during this year, apart from Tamglass Glass Processing Ltd that operates in Finland.


Also Glaverbel announced that it has changed its name to AGC Flat Glass Europe and has adopted a new corporate logo, aligning branding of Glaverbel’s operations with that of the AGC group globally.

As the official explained the rebranding of Glaverbel was part of a global brand unification that unites all AGC companies under a single brand and logo. The company would benefit from a single brand identity in all its European operations, which will provide AGC Flat Glass Europe with increased recognition for its products across the world, allowing it to better serve its customers. The rebranding would also permit the company to strengthen its position as industry leader in innovation.

Commenting on the change, Jean-François Heris, President & CEO of AGC Flat Glass Europe, said: “We’re immensely proud to present ourselves as part of the family of the global glass leader. A single brand identity will allow us to raise our profile across the world. We have a tradition of innovative excellence, and this rebranding will allow us to benefit from the strengths of a world-class group in our mission to reinforce our culture and spirit of innovation”.

In the meantime in China the China’s National Development and Reform Commission issued a mandate for local governments to eliminate outdated glass production lines, according to an Aug. 27 article from the Xinxua News Agency.

The main objective of NDRC officials were to reduce pollution and energy usage by ceasing production at small scale, high-energy consuming glass plants, according to the article. The result are yet to be seen.

This year primer exhibition in the glass sector Vitrum 2007 was held from 3 to 6 October at the new exhibition complex in Rho. The 31,560 square meters (+ 10.5% versus 2005) surface area was divided into 23,954 sq.m for Italian exhibitors and 7,606 sq.m for overseas attendees.

Visitor attendance figures confirmed the initial forecasts: 17,097 first entrances (+ 6.74% over 2005), of these 10,521 were Italians (+ 4.14% over 2005) and 6,576 from other countries (+11.17 over 2005). These figures become all the more significant when considering Vitrum’s performance since its inception in 1979.

Exhibitor numbers were also up and the 581 exhibitors (+ 32.65% over 2005), of which 308 from Italy and 273 foreigners (from 28 countries), were an exceptional record for the exhibition. The profile of the exhibiting companies was particularly outstanding: 83% of these are manufacturers; this demonstrates that Vitrum has become one of the most authoritative and reliable exhibitions worldwide.

When we all thought that they could be no surprises left and we were all preparing for the festivity in December it came the big bang from Brussels with the announcement that the world's four biggest float glass manufacturers were fined by the European Commission a total of 486 million euros for running an illegal price fixing cartel. The companies involved in the cartel were Asahi of Japan, Guardian of the US, Pilkington of the UK, and Saint-Gobain of France.

The evidence uncovered by EU described in detail several meetings in restaurants and hotels in different European countries during which Asahi, Guardian, Pilkington and Saint-Gobain discussed and agreed the level and timing of price increases (including which undertaking was to lead the price increase), target prices, minimum prices and/or exchanged sensitive commercial information.

Neelie Kroes, the EU's competition commissioner, said that the EU would "not tolerate companies cheating consumers and business customers by fixing prices and depriving them of the benefits of the single market".

In a exclusive interview with GlassOnWEb.com Guardian Industries' group vice president, Peter Walters, said that the firm was "extremely shocked" by the decision. "We don't believe the facts justify the outcome as it pertains to Guardian," he said. The Saint Gobain spokeswoman said the company "took note" of the decision while adding that the firm was braced for an even larger fine from an EU decision on the price of car windows.

I think we can all agree that the 2007 was a year of big restructuring, buyouts and renaming. All of the major companies were trying to consolidate their position on the market. This year actions and decisions were affect future year. However one is certain. The globalization process is far from being completed.

If you think that we should line up any other important news in 2007 please post your comments below.