Riou Ocean Glass chooses Glaston RC Series tempering line

“At Riou Ocean Glass, having reliable, high-performance equipment is essential for delivering the top-quality glass that clients have come to expect,” says Pierre Riou, Founder and President of Riou Ocean Glass. “The Glaston RC Series tempering furnace has given us the confidence to meet our ambitious growth and quality goals across the Indian Ocean region.”

Pierre and Christiane Riou founded the Riou Glass Group in 1979 in Normandy, France. From a small family business, the group has grown into a European leader, processing nearly 100,000 tons of glass every year across 23 sites in France, Italy and Belgium.

TAKING RIOU GLASS ACROSS OCEANS

In 2010, Pierre Riou started his adventure into the Indian Ocean market by acquiring Soremir, a leading glass products and blinds company on the island of Réunion. This marked the first step in bringing the quality of Riou Glass to new horizons.

In 2023, a new chapter in the journey began – the creation of Riou Ocean Glass in Mauritius, which aims to supply a broader range of highquality, processed glass products. This strategic location at the crossroads of continents opened doors to a wider regional market, stretching from Réunion, Madagascar and Mayotte to Eastern and Southern Africa, the Middle East and even Australia.

Today, the company has a dedicated team of 60 people, 95% of them Mauritian. Trained at Riou Glass factories in France, they bring world-class expertise and top glass processing knowledge to these markets.

Riou Ocean Glass produces its full scope of glass in-house, including laminated, tempered, insulating, decorative and high-security technical glass. All its production processes are powered by cuttingedge technologies. The company’s customers include construction companies and other professionals specializing in security and renovation all over the region.

EQUIPMENT FROM A RELIABLE SUPPLIER

To meet the growing regional demand for superior products, Riou Ocean Glass chose the Glaston RC Series for tempering.

“I have known Glaston for over 40 years, since the early days of my career in the glass industry,” Riou explains. “We chose Glaston again for its excellent value for money. These machines perfectly meet our requirements in terms of performance and reliability.” The group operates several other Glaston machines across its global facilities.

“Here in Mauritius, we now have two Glaston machines, which allow us to ensure high-quality production and respond quickly to customer needs,” he adds. In addition to the RC Series tempering line, the company has a spacer bender for insulating glass production, ordered around the same time.

HIGH-QUALITY OUTPUT WITH MINIMAL EFFORT

Delivered at the beginning of 2023, the new tempering line quickly became central to Riou Ocean Glass’s operations. “It further strengthens our production capacity and technical expertise,” Riou says.

Designed to handle all glass types and thicknesses, the RC Series delivers consistently high-quality tempered glass with minimal operator effort. Its advanced convection system, combined with Glaston’s patented Roller Heat Control (RHC) technology, streamlines operations, reduces operating costs and ensures reliable output around the clock.

“The installation, commissioning and training went smoothly, and the support from the Glaston team has been outstanding,” he says.

CONTINUING GROWTH INTO NEW MARKETS

With Glaston technology now part of its operations, Riou Ocean Glass is well-positioned to continue growing its production capabilities, developing local expertise and delivering innovative, high-quality glass solutions across the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

“For anyone thinking about this type of investment, we would definitely recommend Glaston,” Riou concludes. “The quality of their equipment and the professional support make all the difference.”

More than a factory, Riou Ocean Glass serves as a bridge – connecting continents, empowering local talent and carrying forward a family tradition of quality that Glaston technology helps bring to new markets.