Clearview National June 2017 - Issue 187 | Page 78

GLASS&SEALEDUNITS
Over 20 start-ups to create a
step change in the glass business
There is something very special about
this year’s Glass Performance Days.
Apart from the conference itself, this
June’s event will feature the first-of-
its-kind Step Change program.
» » FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
the 25-year history, the Glass
Performance Days (GPD) event
will feature a first-of-its-kind Step
Change program. Involving tech-
savvy startup companies from all
over the world, the program is
a unique initiative to propel the
development of the industry and
make a step change for the future
of glass processing. Victor Jason,
Event Coordinator at Glaston,
gives his outlook on Step Change
program, sharing his biggest
hopes and beliefs…
Q: How did the idea of the
innovative Step Change
program come about?
A: The idea behind the
concept was originally created at
GPD 2013 by Scott Thomsen,
the former CEO of Guardian
Industries. Mr. Thomsen pointed
out that the entire glass industry
has been lagging in terms of
innovations and was clearly in
need for a step change. IT and
many other industries are in a
constant cycle of reinvention and
change, but the glass industry has
yet to catch up. The i dea was then
taken further by Glaston’s deputy
CEO Sasu Koivumäki, who in
turn asked me to make the idea
a reality.
Q: What kind of startup
companies are taking part in the
program?
A: Our aim is to find the best
and the brightest startups from
different sectors to shake up the
glass industry to take on a new
mindset of innovation. The mix
of ideas and technologies that will
be brought together this year is
impressive. We have companies
ranging from nanocoatings to
IoT, from signal boosting to smart
glass – and on to photovoltaics,
architectural consultants and
software developers. About 20
startups have applied so far. I’m
very excited about this and am
really happy with their diversity.
I believe GPD participants will
have a great deal to look forward
to.
We are still looking for startups,
researchers and innovators who
might not necessarily be directly
related to the glass industry but
have something to bring into
our supply chain. Companies
from the field of the Internet of
Things is a good example – while
not being part of any industry in
particular. Many aspects of IoT
can be easily integrated into glass
industry processes.
Q: What are your expectations
from the initiative?
A: I really hope that the Step
Change program can carry on as
a viable independent entity, where
glass industry startups can network
and find mentors far after the
GPD has come and gone. What
this will look like is yet to be seen,
but I have a strong feeling that
this is a concept with a big growth
potential as long as we are able to
properly nurture it.
Q: What are the gaps in the
industry the Step Change might
help to fill?
A: There is a generation
gap within the industry. Step
Change is addressing this, too. by
teaming up GPD Ambassadors,
who have an abundance of
glass business knowledge, with
young entrepreneurs, who have
enthusiasm and a desire to make a
change but are lacking experience
and an angle into the glass
industry.
Big things are possible when
we combine the best and the
brightest minds. GPD’s Step
Change program is all about
collaboration for the sake of that
long-awaited evolution in our
industry.
APPLY TODAY
Take this essential step toward
joining the ranks of the world’s
most progressive glass industry
leaders by applying today.
Looking forward to meeting
you all to create something new
and exciting from June 28–30,
2017, in Tampere, Finland!
To register, visit https://mes.
eventos.fi/event/gpd2017/pages/
registration
78 » JUN 2017 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M