Owens-Illinois (O-I), which claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of glass containers, has invested 1.8 million euros in the modernisation of its glassworks in Holzminden, Lower Saxony. With a newly installed „Multi Weight Shear System“, glass production can be made more flexible and individualised.
The company, which belongs to the Owens-Illinois Group Glassworks in Holzminden has modernised its production facilities. Vitaliano Torno, „President Europe“ of O-I, presented the technical innovations at the 120th anniversary celebrations of the plant in Lower Saxony. The State Minister for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Christian Meyer, was also a guest.
In Holzminden, O-I produces Glass packaging for spirits producers. The aim of the modernisation investment was to increase competitiveness in this market. A so-called Multi Weight Shear System. This means that up to four different bottle types can now be produced simultaneously on one system.
Vitaliano Torno explained that the spirits market requires more from its suppliers. individual designs and Shorter production processes „The more flexibly we can develop and produce our bottles, the better we can respond to the needs of our customers.“ State Minister Meyer referred to the special history of the glassworks in Holzminden and emphasised the sustainable and ecologically beneficial product properties of glass.
The products manufactured in Holzminden Glass products around 50 per cent of which is destined for export. Deliveries are mainly made to European countries, but also to New Zealand, Russia and the USA.
His work could include both large productions for Beverage and food manufacturers as well as small, medium and test series for regional bottlers and distilleries, said plant manager Dr Cyril Thybaut. This offering complements that of the O-I plant in nearby Rinteln very well. The latter specialises in colours [infotext icon].
280 employees produce 310 million bottles every year
The O-I glassworks in Holzminden was founded in 1897. After various takeovers from the end of the 1980s, it became part of the O-I Group in 2004. It operates 79 factories around the world with a total of 27,000 employees. The Holzminden glassworks has 280 employees, including 28 trainees. Two glass furnaces are operated, each with five production machines. 310 million bottles with capacities ranging from 20 to 3,000 millilitres leave the factory every year[/infotext].
