Last Friday, on April 4, 2025, a meeting of the VDG Entrepreneur Group took place - this time at GVB GmbH - Solutions in Glass, one of the most versatile suppliers of special glass in Europe. As a network of leading companies in the glassblowing industry, the focus was on discussing current topics and shaping the future of glass apparatus construction.
The company association was launched in Wertheim at the end of 2023, with the Verband Deutscher Glasbläser e.V. as one of the main initiators. The first meetings and the third follow-up event - this time at GVB - showed just how much interest there is in direct dialog. An exchange that is further strengthened by regular company visits.
Shaping the future: Challenges in the glassblowing industry
Company representatives and VDG members came together once again to learn from each other and work together on the future topics of glass apparatus manufacturing. The network focuses on solutions for industry-specific challenges as well as the promotion of innovative technologies and the recruitment of young talent in glassblowing training.
Recruiting young talent remains a key issue for the group of companies - especially as the requirements in glass apparatus construction are constantly increasing. A challenge that we are facing together!
This raises important questions, in particular:
- How do we reach potential trainees and skilled workers?
- How do we make the profession of glassblower more attractive to trainees?
- How can we promote the glassblowers' association and common themes?
VDG Entrepreneur Group meets GVB - our highlights
The meeting began the evening before with a get-together at the Elisenbrunnen restaurant - an opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere and to welcome new members to the group.
During a tour of the company the following day, the participants of the business group were given exciting insights into our 1,500 m² warehouse, the in-house workshop for cold glass processing and the lamp studio of GVB GmbH - Solutions in Glass.
A particular highlight was Georg Greuel's presentation on the further development of innovative coatings - with the aim of further increasing the durability of our doped quartz tubes.
Participating companies in the VDG interest group
We would like to thank all participants for the valuable exchange and look forward to the next steps in the development of glass apparatus manufacturing and the glassblowing trade. We look forward to your support and your ideas.
Strong together: thanks to all participants
- GVB GmbH - Solutions in Glass
Host, expert in specialty glass and glass finishing;
represented by Jana Strauch-Braun and Norbert Braun
- Verband Deutscher Glasbläser e.V. (VDG)
Representation of the interests of glass apparatus manufacturers;
represented by board member Peter Schweifeln
- Lenz Laborglas GmbH
Manufacturer of laboratory glassware and custom-made products;
represented by Peter Bentivoglio
- Pfaudler Normag Systems GmbH
Plant manufacturer for process engineering glass apparatus,
represented by Martin Kuchorz
- De Dietrich Process Systems
Supplier of processing systems and glass equipment,
represented by Michael Blumenthal
- Schmidt Laborglasgeräte GmbH
Production of individual laboratory glassware solutions,
represented by Tobias Schmidt
- Jule Janssen
Specialist in borosilicate glass processing
- Hofmann Glastechnik GmbH
Producer of customized glass apparatus,
represented by Robert Hofmann
- Robu Glasfilter-Geräte GmbH
Newest member and manufacturer of sintered glass filters and laboratory equipment,
represented by Benjamin Schmidt
Would you like to become part of the group? The next meeting will take place at the VDG conference in Bad Soden from September 18 to 20, 2025! Simply register your company at mitglieder@vdg-ev.org and take the opportunity to exchange ideas with leading companies in the industry.