Opening Session Speakers fixed for GPD Glass Processing Days

The Opening Session Speakers for the 10th GPD Conference Transparent Forum in June 2007 have now been confirmed. Top level representatives of Asahi Glaverbel, Guardian Industries Corporation, NSG Group and St. Gobain will address the Conference and participate in the ensuing Grand Panel discussion on June 15th, 2007 at Tampere, Finland.

The Opening session speakers are Mr Arthur Ulens, Executive VP AGC Flat Glass and CEO Glaverbel, Mr Russell J. Ebeid, President, Glass Group, Guardian Industries Corp., Mr Tomoaki Abe, Vice Chairman of the NSG Group and Mr Jacques Aschenbroich, President Flat Glass Group, St. Gobain.

'This exceptional participation gives us a historical opportunity to bring together the views of four of the leading companies in the global glass industry at the same Conference, at the same time and before the same audience,' says Jorma Vitkala, Chairman of the GPD Organising Committee. 'The speakers represent the broadest possible view of the glass industry today and their range of expertise stretches from overall industry development to specific special markets to the application of advanced products for different application areas. They represent major, globally operating companies that strongly affect the future of the industry. For the GPD the top level agenda also marks strong recognition of the contribution the organisers wish to bring to all the participating professionals from different parts of the world.'

Effective Information-Sharing and Practical Case Studies
The 2007 GPD Conference programme follows its traditional objective of creating a forum for information sharing among specialists. The weight of practical case studies has been increased in order to make the Conference as practical and useful as possible.

'In 2007 we pay special tribute to the objectives of the Kyoto Agreement on sustainable development,' Jorma Vitkala says. 'There are many things that high-performance glazing and structures can offer to facade designers, builders and architects for the purpose of reaching energy saving objectives. It is largely a matter of controlling energy flows in and out of buildings that consume almost half of the world energy consumption today the other half being allocated to traffic and industry.

'For glass processors the 10th GPD Conference offers exceptional opportunities to meet with the developers and designers that decide on the use of advanced glass products,' Vitkala says. 'Interaction with the decision makers who use the products supplied by the processing industry will increase the understanding of designing and the requirements of handling the new advanced products to avoid damage in the logistic chain. It also gives valuable input that will assist processors to plan their operations for improved efficiency and productivity in the competitive climate that is becoming increasingly tougher,' Vitkala underlines. 'Factory visits and hands-on process presentations also add to the advantages offered.'

The Call for Papers - summons to GPD 2007 is now out and the date for submission of abstracts is October 10th, 2006. Details are available at http://www.gpd.fi. Thorough documentation of past GPD Conferences including technology and case presentation is available through the special Internet-portal http://www.glassfiles.com. .

For additional information on the GPD Forum 2007, contact: Mr. Jorma Vitkala, GPD Glass Processing Days, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Tel. +358 3 372 3216, email: jorma.vitkala@glassfiles.com