Most Admired Glass Manufacturing Companies Across the Globe october2022

The Tech Talk Impact of AI and ML on

Industries

Mark Eichhorn CEO

Hocking

editor

Managing Editor

Bhushan Bhad

Pioneering Crystals into Modern Solutions!

Tinventions,andtechnologicalmarvels.Andacross thehumantrailofcrossingthebarriersand conqueringimpossibilities,thereisamagicwandthat fosterseveryhousehold,everycorporateinstitute,and everysitewherethehumaneyecanspotitsperipheral vision.Yes,that’stechnologicalmarvels!

heworldisblossomingwithdiscoveries,

Isn’titamazingthateveryinchofearthisbolsteredintoa productofhumanintelligence,andwithsuchdevelopment, humansociety,asacollectiveconsciousness,hasleftthe obstacleintoagreypitofforgottenmemories?Andtoday, everysectorhaslucrativeadvancementandalluring technologies.Thisbroughtourattentiontothemost commonyetextraordinarysector—GlassManufacturing.

Haveyoueverdugdeeptoknowwhateffortsareputto bringmillionsofcrystalsintoonesubstanceandfurtherit totheutilityofmasses?Toboththepossibleanswers,this editionwillservetobeaplatterofwiseastonishment.

Andonsimilarlines,weatInsightsSuccessdidventure intoscoutingforadmiredcompaniesintheglass manufacturingsegment.Toourastonishment,wefound AnchorHockingasoneoftheexemplaryorganizationsthat

areutilizingtechnologyandcomingupwithamodern solutionsforglasswareproductsandfacilitatingaUS-made experiencefortheState’sdemographics.Thiscompanyhas madeitsmissiontoprovidethebestglasswareexperience foralmosteveryindustry

Utilizingthisopportunitytolaunchourlatestedition,I wouldkindlyrequestallthereadersofthiseditiontodelve intoAnchorHocking’sstory,followedbymanyotherglass manufacturerswhoarepioneersoftheindustryinthier uniqueness.

Whileyoudelveintotheinspiringstories,ensuretoread theeditorialarticleopinedbyourIn-houseeditorialTeam. Ihopeyouhaveahappyread.

,,The Value of an Idea Lies in implementing it, and giving rise to innovative Solutions and Inspirations Stories.

Anchor Hocking

Melted, Poured, and Sculpted for a Refined Experience

N T E N T S

AGC Vidros do Brasil

Enthralling the World with Trust-based Leadership

AL Islami Foods Group LLC

A Global Facilitator of Frozen Foods

Vidroporto S.A

When Technology meets Excellence

Around the Globe

The Pathbreaking Research in Glass Crystallography

The Tech Talk

Impact of AI and ML on Manufacturing Industries

Hans Meyer

Featuring CompanyBrief

IsidoroLopes

AGCVidrosdoBrasil agcbrasil.com

(PresidentandGeneral Managerof ArchitecturalGlass Finance&Business SupportSouthAmerica)

JoãoSiqueira (GeneralManagerof AutomotiveGlassSouth America)

AGCVidrosdoBrasilstandsoutintheSouthAmericanmarket throughabroadandinnovativeportfolio,andadedicatedand exclusiverelationshipwithcustomersandpartners.

AlIslamiFoods alislamifoods.com

ShahidN.Khan

ChiefExecutiveOfficer

AlIslamiFoodstakesprideinitsrichheritageofwarming dinnertablesandenrichingfamilygatheringssince1981.

AnchorHocking anchorhocking.com

MarkEichhorn

ChiefExecutiveOfficer

AnchorHockingCompanyisamanufacturerofglassware.The HockingGlassCompanywasfoundedin1905byIsaacJacob CollinsinLancaster,Ohio,andnamedaftertheHockingRiver.

VidroportoS/A vidroporto.com.br

EdsonLuisRossi ChiefExecutiveOfficer

VidroportoS/AisacompanythatoperatesintheGlass, Ceramics&Concreteindustry.Itemploys251-500peopleand has$50M-$100Mofrevenue.

Mark Eichhorn CEO Anchor Hocking

Most Admired Glass Manufacturing

Themanufacturingworldhasalwaysbeenasource ofinnovation,creativity,andtechnological advancement.Astheworldwasundergoingrapid transformationduetoglobalization,manufacturing automation,andsupplychainsophistication,glass manufacturingwasnotleftbehind.

StartingfromhumblebeginningsinLancaster,Ohio, AnchorHockingwasattheforefrontofmachine-made glassformingtechnology.Theorganizationquicklybecame aleaderinglasstableware,extendingitsdistributionaround theworld.AnchorHockingwasfoundedbyI.J.Collinsin 1905.Thecompany'sfocuswassimple- manufacture everyday glass tableware products at prices people could afford.

Withavisiontoreacheveryhousehold,thecompanyis producinganddistributingglasswaretomultipleindustries. Fromretailandhospitalityindustriestofloralandcandle sectors,AnchorHockinghasaglasswarepresence everywhere.Continuingthislegacyofgrowthisitscurrent CEO,MarkEichhorn.Withalmost25yearsofenriched experienceintheglassmanufacturingindustry,Mark continuestoensurethatthecompanyadaptstothechanging tideofthetechnologyrevolutioninglassmanufacturing andstaystruetoits"American Made"roots.

Synonymizing"World'sBest"with"AmericanMade”

Sinceitslaunchin1905,AnchorHockinghasbeenoneof theleadingU.S.manufacturersofconsumerglass tableware.Itmanufacturesanddistributesglasswarefrom itsfacilitiesinLancaster,Ohio,employingover900 dedicatedassociates.Itsmainglassproductcategories includebakeware,foodstorage,drinkware,pantrystorage, serving,mix&measure/foodprep,candle,andfloral.

Notingadditionalcompanymarkets,Markexpresses, "Anchor Hocking is also a leading producer of glassware for restaurants and hotels, jars for the fragrant candle industry, and vases for the floral industry

Today,AnchorHockingcontinuestoberecognizedasa leaderinthemanufacturingandmarketingofglass bakeware,foodprep,andfoodstorageglassware.Itisalso theindustryleaderinsupplyingglasscontainersfoundin pantriesandcountertopsacrossAmerica.ItsHeritageHill andMontana-stylejarshavebeeninproductionsincethe '70s(HeritageHill)and'90s(Montana),respectively.

Marksays,“You will find these products on countertops in homes across America…including as seen in most home kitchen renovation reveals. We are the second-largest producer of glass bakeware in the U.S. and the leading supplier of measuring cups and mixing bowls. We pride ourselves on providing durable glassware at a great consumer value.”

Themarvelsofsuchaconsumer-centricfocushavebrought thecompanyandtheorganization'sleadershipintothe spotlight.

Band-wagoningwithUnifiedLeadership

Assaid,"success comes to those who dare and act,"sois thecasewithAnchorHocking'ssuccess.Blessedwitha unifiedleadership,thecompany'sexecutiveteamofMark Eichhorn,CEO,andBertFilice,President,haveworked togetherforover20years.

OverseeingtheManufacturing,Engineering,and DistributionsegmentsareV.P.'sChisNorrisandBrent

Rock.Leadingthefinancialgroupandsproutinganageof modernentrepreneursareJamieKeller,CFO;MarcYoder, CIO;andMichelleManning,VPofMerchandising.

Walkingdownmemorylaneandrevisitinghisjourneyof almost25years,Marknotes,“Both our President and I entered Anchor Hocking in the Finance department back in the 1980s. Through the years, we were both promoted into more challenging positions. Although at one point, both of us left the business for a period of time, we both returned and have worked together at Anchor for more than 20 years. Jamie, Chris and Brent have been with Anchor for over 14, 15 and 20 years, respectively. Marc and Michelle are relative newcomers, both joining the company in 2019. I believe I can speak for the group when I say we find the glassware business to be challenging, captivating, and rewarding.”

SculptingtheCreativity

Glassmanufacturingprocessesarewayoutsidethe"norm" forproducingconsumerproducts,oranyproductsforthat matter Whileotherglassmanufacturingoperationsuse similarprocesses,theproductionofglasstablewarerequires amuchgreaterinvestmentinpeople.Eachpieceofglass producedishand-selected,inspected,andpacked.

Duringthemanufacturingprocess,eachpieceisinspected toitsqualityspecificationsbeforebeingpackedfor shipment.Markmentionsthatotherglassindustriescan

produceatmuchhigherspeedsbecausetheinspectionand packingprocessescanbeautomated.Butwhilethose factoriesmayproduceahandfulofdifferentitems,Anchor Hockingproducesover500uniquemoldshapes.Therefore, theselection,inspection,andpackagingprocessescannot beeasilyautomated.

AdvancingwithTechnology

Keepingpacewithcreativityandtechnology,Anchor Hocking'sglassengineersandproductionleadershave introducedmoreadvancedformingtechniquesand upgradedtheprocessequipmenttoincreasethespeedsand yieldsofthecompany'sglass-formingoperations;improve safetyandglassquality

"We have benefited from technological advances in refractory production, which are used in furnace construction, that has substantially increased the useful lives of our furnaces. The same goes for improvements in the software controls for running our furnaces, contributing to significant reductions in natural gas consumption, improved glass quality, and clarity," notesMr.Eichhorn.

WeatheringtheStorms

Anchorfacedmanyofthesamechallengesthatother companiesfacedduringtherecentpandemic:repeatedly forecastingsalesvolumesdownward;seekingwaysto conservecash,followedbyarapidadjustmenttoan unexpectedsurgeindemandfromaconsumerpopulation forcedtoworkathomeformanymonths.

Speakingaboutthechallenges,Markshares,“Some of the more unique challenges we faced at Anchor Hocking included: re-engineering each of the production lines to achieve safe social distancing while still staffing the lines with the required number of people; operating in a highheat environment wearing masks…and the potential personal safety risks they presented; and keeping the production lines running 24/7 despite the increased daily call-offs as our associates tried to understand and contend with the disease.”

Hementionsthat,whiledemandhasstayedstrong,Anchor continuedtostruggletostafftheplantatthelevelsrequired. In2021,thecompanyhad80to100openpositions.More recently,ithasreducedthelaborshortagesto50-60.

“With an additional capacity expansion planned in 2023, our staffing needs will grow by another 100 positions,"says Mark.

EnvisioningtheFuture

Withitsextremeprideandfocusonits"MadeinAmerica" roots,thecompanyhascontinuedtoinvestsignificantlyin growthin2022and2023.

Anchor'sinvestmentsincludeincreasingtheorganization's meltingcapacityby40%,addingthreenewglassforming machines,andadditionalinvestmentsinitspeopleand facility.Thecompanyhasexpandeditsapprenticeship programs,increasedwages,andinvestedinimproved trainingmethods.AttheInspiredHomeandHousewares ShowinMarch,theleadershipteamintroducedan extensiveassortmentofexcitingnewproductsanddesigns thatwillbecomethebasisformuchofAnchor'ssales growthin2023andbeyond.

WordsofWisdom

Markhasbeenaroundtheglassmanufacturingindustryfor almost25years,andhebelievesthattheindustryhasa widespectrumofopportunitiesforaspiringentrepreneurs.

Extendinghiswisewordstotheaspiringbusinessleaders, henotes,"Gain an in-depth understanding of the costs and cash requirements of the business. Specifically costs of production and maintenance in a 24/7/350 days a year operation."

Mentioninghisjourneyofpursuingknowledge,heshares, "To this end, I started in the company as Cost Accounting Manager. There was no better place to learn and understand the details of the costs of production, cash/capex requirements, and product and customer profitability.”

Awards and Accolades Awards and Accolades

Anchor Hocking has set industry standards and is consistently hustling to improve the U.S. glass manufacturing industry Acknowledging such efforts, Anchor has been at the edge of receiving many awards and recognition.

Most recently, the company has been honored by HSN as their New Supplier of the Year for F.Y. 2020.

Customer accolades are challenging to achieve. Anchor Hocking competes with all consumer goods suppliers for customer recognition. Within the various housewares departments, Anchor competes with suppliers of dinnerware, cookware, gadgets, kitchenware, silverware, plastic, and glass storage, metal bakeware, and the list goes on.

"Internally, we are focused on providing quality glass tableware products at a great value; ontime and complete shipments, earning a greater share of the retailers' shelf, gaining new customers, four and 5-star online product reviews, and maintaining open communications with our retail partners. These are the key determinants of our success and manifest in improved earnings and cash ows," concludes Mark.

LeadershipthatScaledAnchor'sSuccess

Inclusiveleadershiphasalwaysbeenoneofthebasictenets ofAnchorHocking.Markbelievesinrespectingthe workforce.Sharingtheorganizationalpracticesthat facilitatenecessaryhonorandrespecttotheworkforce,he mentionsthatGlasstablewaremanufacturingisa24hours perday,sevendaysaweekproductionoperationthat requiresexceptionalcommitmentfromoperations managers,supervisors,andfactoryassociates.

Hesays,"While our customers have no idea what it takes to make a quality piece of glass tableware that may sell for

less than a greeting card: multiple furnaces melting 200+ tons of molten glass daily at temperatures reaching 2800 degrees; 14 production lines, each producing 20,000 to 80,000 pieces of glass a day; our 900 associates do.

"Every day they enter through the gates, they demonstrate their commitment to making the most durable household glass at a great value delivered on time to our customers. Associates here at Anchor Hocking and the leadership team understand the daily challenges, and we're honored to be part of it! Anchor Hocking's greatest resource is its dedicated associates. They deserve management's respect every day,"notesMark.

Concludinghiswisewordsfortheaspiringleaders,Mark sharedhisadviceforthepotentialinvestorsconsidering enteringintomanufacturingGlassTableware.Heputs, "Glass Tableware manufacturing is a relatively small segment of the glass industry. The high fixed cost of running a glassware plant 24/7/350 requires high plant capacity utilization to absorb the elevated fixed cost structure. Greenfield plant investments easily exceed $100 MM. As a result, I do not anticipate seeing any new entrants manufacturing glass tableware in the U.S. anytime soon."

nanever-evolvingbusinessworld,therearemany

essentialstorunningabusiness.Butthatoneethical standpointthatcanscaleabusinessand,ifnotabided by,canprovetobethedrowningfactoramidstthecutthroat businesscompetitionisTrust.

Populouswiththisuniqueprospectofrunningitsglass manufacturingbusinessforarchitecturalandautomotive companiesis AGCVidrosdoBrasil.

HeadquarteredinJapanandBelgium,thecompanyisona missiontoalwaysstaythefirstchoicealongitspotential customerpool.Itleavesnostoneunturnedtoaceitselfin thecompetitiveworldofglassmanufacturers.

Spearheadingthisrevolutionanddedicatingallits technologicalandleadershipintelligenceisIsidoroLopes–PresidentandGeneralManagerofArchitecturalGlass Finance&BusinessSupportSouthAmerica,andJoão Siqueira–GeneralManagerAutomotiveGlassSouth America

Let'sslideintotheinterviewandlearnhowAGCVidrosdo Brasilhasmadeittothetopoftheglobalbusiness leaderboardofglassmanufacturingcompanies. Below are the interview highlights.

Pleasebriefouraudienceaboutyourcompany,itsUSPs, andhowitiscurrentlypositionedasoneofthemost reliablecompaniesintheglassmanufacturingspace.

Byprovidingawiderangeofproductsandservicesin variousfields,theAGCGrouphascontributedtopeople's peaceofmind,safety,andcomfortworldwide.Moreover, theGroupboaststhelargestsharesoftheglobalmarketsfor manyproducts,includingfloatglass,automotiveglass,and fluorinatedresin(Fluon™ETFE).

Enthralling the World with Trustbased Leadership

InSouthAmerica,producingflatglassforCivil ConstructionandAutomotiveGlass,withcommercial operationsoftheChemicalDivision,AGCstandsoutinthe marketthroughabroadandinnovativeportfolio,anda dedicatedandexclusiverelationshipwithclientsand partners.

TheAGCGroupaimstocontinuebeingthefirstchoice solutionproviderforcustomersbybuildinglong-term relationshipsoftrustwiththemthroughtheprovisionof uniquematerialsandsolutionsdevelopedusingtheGroup's widerangingmaterialandproductiontechnologies.

Shedsomelightonyourofferingsandhowtheyimpact theindustryandyourclients?

FortheArchitecturalGlassbusiness,weprovideawide varietyofproductsthatmeettheneedsofeachregion, basedonourvisionof“inspiringpeoplebyusingglassto connectthemwiththeirsurroundings”.Theaesthetic, technicalandenergypropertiesofAGCglassmakeits scopeofapplicationspracticallyunlimited:fromexternal glazingtointeriordecorationandindustrialuses.Withthe richnessoftheranges,architectsandinteriordesigners alikewillfindamaterialthatgivesshapetotheircreative inspirationandtameslight,whileassuringcomfortforthe buildingoccupantsandactivelyprotectingtheenvironment.

FortheAutomotiveGlassBusiness,weprovidehighperformanceproductsthathelpscreatesafeand comfortablecars.Atthesametime,wewillcontinue contributingtotherealizationofnext-generationmobility bydevelopinghigh-value-addedproducts.

Whatarethecorevaluesuponwhichyourcompanyis built?

Sinceitsbeginningsinthemanufactureandsaleofflat glass,theAGCGrouphasbroadeneditshorizonsand

Most Admired Glass Manufacturing Companies Across the Globe

Isidoro Lopes President and General Manager Architectural Glass Finance and Business Support South America

Vidros do Brasil

Joao Siqueira General Manager

Glass South America

Vidros do Brasil

increaseditsbusinesslinestoencompasschemicals, ceramics,andahostofotherproducts.Atthesametime, theGrouphasdevelopeditsbusinessesgloballyand currentlyemploysapproximately56,200peopleinmore than30countriesandregions.Regardlessoftheirbusiness, country,orregion,eachofouremployeessharesthefour keyvaluesofInnovation&OperationalExcellence, Diversity,Environment,andIntegrityasthebasisfor everythingwedo.

IsidoroandJoao,pleasebriefusaboutyourjourney andhowhaveyoucontributedtothecompany'ssuccess.

FirstofallwewouldliketosaythatourkeypersonofAGC historyandsuccessisToshiyaIwasaki,thefounderofthe company.Atthebeginningofthe20thcentury,asJapan's modernizationcontinuedapaceandaplethoraofindustries werespringingup,ToshiyaIwasakifocusedhisattentionon realizingthedomesticproductionofflatglass.Onthat occasion,manydifferentcompanieshadtriedto manufactureflatglassdomestically,butallhadfailedas theywereunabletocompetewithimportedproducts. Nonetheless,intendingtocreateabusinessthatwouldhelp advancehissociety,Iwasakidecidedtotacklethe challengingproblem.“Iampreparedtofacedifficulties. Evenifittakesalifetime,Iwillrealizedomestic production.”Withthisdeclarationofintent,in1907he establishedAsahiGlassCompany,thepredecessorofAGC, andbeganconstructingthecompanythatistodaythe“the world'slargestglasscompany.”.

Iwasakisummeduphisfoundingspiritwiththemotto “Nevertaketheeasywayout,butconfrontdifficulties.” Thismindsethasbeenpasseddownthroughthegenerations tothepresentdayandremainsthestartingpointofallof ourbusinessactivities.

IsidoroLopes,with30yearsofFlatGlassindustry experience,withacareerbasedonoperationalexcellence andbuildingnewplantsandoperations,issupportingthe consolidationofthebusinessinSouthAmericaand continuouslyimprovingtheprocessesandcustomer satisfaction.

JoãoSiqueira,withmorethan20yearsofexperienceinthe Automotivesegment,hasbeenleadingtheplantsincethe projectphaseandmanagingthestart-upofAGCBrazil.He isrecognizedindevelopingtheorganizationandcreatinga uniquewinningculture.

VisionandAction,applyingAGCcorevaluesand fundamentalstoLEADTHEWAYFORABETTER WORLD,arethebaseofeverydecision.

Wearelookingtobethebestplayerinourcorebusinesses, withanintegratedvaluechainapproach,quickinnovation, theleaderinsustainability,andestablishingacultureof challenge,courage,andobsessionwithcontinuous improvement.

Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononhow theadoptionofmoderntechnologieshasimpactedthe manufacturingindustryandhowisyourcompany ridingthetechnologywave?

Theindustrialsectorhasbetontechnologytoachieve increasinglysignificantresults.Today,takingadvantageof technologicalinnovationsisnolongeraluxuryfor companiesandhasbecomeanobligation.

InternetofThings(IoT),CloudComputing,Artificial Intelligence,Robotization,AutonomousEquipment, Blockchain,BusinessIntelligenceandAugmented Analyticsaresomeexamplestodelightuseverydayinour operations.

Theimpacthasbeenfurious;itisnecessaryforamindset changeonhowtointeractwithcustomers,suppliers, collaborators,andevenwiththeequipmentanddata changed.

Itisnotenoughtoinvestininformationandcommunication technologytodifferentiateyourselfinthemarket:itis essentialtoplanandhavequalifiedprofessionalstousethe newdevicesstrategically.Otherwise,timeandmoneywill bewasted.

WehavebeenworkingwithIndustry4.0,forexample, connectingthephysicalworldwiththedigital.Inthis context,developingourorganizationisourutmost challenge.

Resultsarecoming,processeswithspeedandagility,fewer mistakes,andgettingtheinvolvementandempowermentof alllevelsoftheorganizationwithapassionforcontinuous improvement.Thenewgenerationsareusedtohavingthis kindofmindset,andtheygrewupplayingandentertaining withthosetechnologies,gettingfastereverydayandhaving nopatienceforprocessesthattakemorethanafew seconds.

Wearetakingadvantageofthismindsetandwave, continuallyintegratingitintoourdailyactivitiesand decision-makingprocesses.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothemanufacturingspace?

After30yearsinmanufacturing,Iwillprobablyadvise, firstofall,toknowwhattypeofproductyouwillproduce andifyouhavemasteryoverit.

Keepaneyeonthemarkettounderstandifthebetmakes sense–likemanysectors;theindustryhasitsupsand downs,anditisworthpayingattentiontowhetherthe productyouaregoingtoproducehasagoodadherenceto thepublic.

Makeagoodfinancialplan.

Betoncustomizedequipmentandmachines:iftheideaisto openanindustry,regardlessofitssize,havingmachines andequipmentthatprovideautomationandspeedup productionisinevitable.

Andlastly,andmostimportantly,designyourfactoryafter knowingwhatproductthemarketneeds.

Asanengineerandcontinuousimprovementspecialist,I alwaysasksalesandmarketingwhatthemarketneeds,so wecandesignthefactoryforthatneed.Neverdoitthe otherwayaround.

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyourorganization's operationsandofferingsin2022andbeyond?

Byprovidingdifferentiatedmaterialsandsolutions,AGC strivestohelprealizeasustainablesocietyandbecomean excellentcompanythatgrowsandevolvescontinuously.We willaccelerategrowthintheStrategicBusinessesarea,and atthesametimeexplorenewbusinessareas,propelling materialsinnovationtohelpsolvesocialissues,aimingfor net-zerocarbonin2050,strengtheninghumanresources, andgroup-widegovernance.AboutDigitalTransformation, weintendtoimprovecompetitivenessbyacceleratingthis process,takingatransformationofthebusinessmodelitself intoconsideration,leveragingdigitaltechnologiesto improvetheprocessfromproductdevelopmenttosales activities,andusingdigitaltechnologiestoprovidevalueto customersandsocietyandgaincompetitiveness.

The Pathbreaking Research in Glass CRYSTALLOGRAPHY

Thetransparentandhardmaterialcalledglassis practicallyapartofhumankind.Mirrors,cameras, eyeglassesandevensmartphonetouchscreenare oneofthefewglassstructuresthatisconsumeddaily withoutourrealization.Beforeamanufacturingindustry couldhavethoughtofrecyclingaglass-likematerial,itwas stillconsumednaturallybytheancientpeople.Natural glassmaterialoriginatedfromvolcaniceruptionswereused todrawhuntingweaponswithsharpedges.With progressionoftimeandnecessity,manufacturers discoveredthatrecyclingglasscouldbeasubstitutefor 95%ofthenaturalglass.Itledtotwosurprisingbenefits, firstlyprotectingtheenvironmentbyeliminationofgas emission.Secondly,preservingrawmaterialsforthe generationstointake.Interestingly,thescarcityofglass materialiscomparativelylow,butrecyclingitcontributes toevenmoreglasssubstances,henceresultingin diversificationinvarioususes.

Glassholdsacommercialimportanceduetoitsstructure thatisbasedonchemicalcompounds.Thus,onanindustrial scale,itschemicalcompositionemphasizesonsize, proportion,andmaterialstreated.Aslightdifferencecould changeabouttheresultingformofglassdeveloped.

AsDouglaspointedoutina2018article Glass Has Changed the World thatwhileglassisbeingmanufactured forseveralyearsnow,thereisstillalackofclarityonwhat itis.Hence,thefuturehopesthatresearchwillchangethe directionofglassmanufacturingindustries,byindulgingin creationofsaferbatteries,biomedicalimplants,self-tinting windowsandunbreakableglass.

ExposingTheMysteryofGlass-To-Crystal Transformation.

Technologyhasbeenaresourcetoenhancetheefficiencyof glassresearchbeingconducted.Researchershavebeen spendingabulkamountoftimeinordertounderstandthe chemicalstructureofglass,inordertomoulditinto differentvarietiesofglassapplications. Jacobyina2017 article, What is Glass? hadstatedthatthereisnotmuch differenceintherecipeofglasscompoundthanwhatitwas around200B.C.E.

Sourceofsilica(SiO2)suchassandismixedwithsodium carbonate(NaCO)andlargeamountsofseashellsi.e.,2 3 limestone(CaCO).Togethertheyareheated,whichforms3 90%ofmanufacturedglass.However Theresearchershave beencarefulonthelevelofheattemperaturesthat determinestheresultingglassstructure.A2020studyby DeccanHeraldon Transformation of Glass into Crystal, identifiedthatglassdoesnotholdrepetitivearrangement,as observedinthecrystals.HenceitincorporatedMachine Learning(ML)thatspeededuptheprocess.TheMLwas abletoidentifytheatomicstructuresofglassareasthatwas softandthoseareasthatwouldrequirecrystallization throughdifferentroutes,whichwaseffectiveineliminating aspectsofglasscrystallizationmysteryandexpanditsglass productionintomultipleforms.

GlassCrystallographyTowardstheFutureof Technology

Themanufacturingindustriesaregrowinginnovative,by attemptingtocrystalizeglassintodifferentshapeandsizes, whileimprovingitsdesignproperties.Scientistshavebeen demonstratinginterestintothefuturisticaspectsofglass crystallization,suchasdevelopingaglassthatwouldbe userfriendlyandsmoothonsurfaceaswellasitsedges. Furthermore,thegovernmenthasbeenlookingtodevelopa glassstructurethatcouldofferelectricitytotheelectric vehiclesbeingruntodayinthelargeurbanareasglobally. Thecomprehensionofglasscompoundshashencetakena stepupandismovingintothesedirections.Some companieshavealreadysetanexampleforthesame.For instance,Apple.Inc,hasappliedarequestfordesigninga curvedglassceilingthatwouldbeconsumerfriendlyand loadresistant.Similarly,severalsmartphonesdesigning companiesrequiretheirdevicestobemadeofbestglass structurethatwouldofferitscustomerwithasoftand smoothexperience.GlassCrystallographyhavebeen

changingitsdirectionfromdevelopingplainmirrorsto servinginalignmentwiththeworldoftechnologyand business.

GlassCrystallographyMeetsHealthcareNeeds

Theglassmanufacturingindustryhavebeenkeenin shapingthenoveltyofglasscomponentsintocustombased demandsandneedsoftheglobalsociety.Customersinthe healthcareindustryhasbeenprioritisingtheuseof healthcaredevices,suchasthewearablewatchesthatkeeps trackoftheirbloodpressureandweight.Eventhesmart patchesthatpenetratemedicationsthroughthepatient’s skin,whileactinglikebiosensors.

Glassmanufacturershavebeentakinginteresttosupport thedevelopmentofhealthcaredevicesthroughinnovative glasscrystallography.Forinstance,aregionalmedical centreatPhelpsCounty,hadpresentedafibrousbioactive glass,whichisasoftcottonpatchthatservesinhealing wound.Itinvolvesbioactiveglassstructurewhichoffersthe skinsupport,forthenewtissuetogrowatafasterrate. Similarly,glasscrystallographyalsohadofferedamedical solutiontocolourblindnesswherecustommadeeyelenses wereformedinordertohelpdifferentiategreensfromreds. Thedevelopmentofsuchglasslenshasbeenbasedonglass componentsthatmeetsthatcolorwavelengthneedsof patients.

GlassRemainsanOngoingMystery

Althoughithasbeenobservedthatglasscould successfullyformtheshapeofacrystal,itisnot alwaysconstantwiththeresultantmolecularstructure. Asaresult,oneformofglass,inordertoproduceit withthesecondtime,withsametoughnesslevel,the researcherswillhavetoexpandtheirknowledgeinto thechemicalcompoundsandglasscrystallization.The fieldremainsamysteryalongwithanelementof richness,thatevokesthedesireofongoing exploration.

- Saloni Agrawal

Most Admired Glass Manufacturing Companies Across the Globe

Shahid N.Khan

Islami Foods

LLC

Shahid,pleasebriefusaboutyourjourneyinthe industryandhowhaveyoucontributedtothefirm's success.

Impactof on AI ML& MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES

Tsthe21 centuryhasbeenknownforthe digitalizationofhumankind,transforming industriesandservicesintoanautomationmode, henceprioritizingcustomerconvenienceandtime efficiencyatitshighestlevel.Implementationof digitalizationhasbeenencouragedinalternativeforms,for instance,theprint-and-mailserviceshasbeenreplacedwith digitalmail,brick-and-mortarstoresturnedintoshopping websites.

However,anaccelerationindigitalizationhasbeenfelt amongstbusinessandindustriespostCOVID-19era. Manufacturingorganizationshavefacedagreater operationalchallenge,fromlackofskilledworkerstothe US-chinatradecrisis,bringingaboutathreattotheglobal economy.Despitethesechanges,thecustomersdemandfor lowcostproductsremainhigh. Despitethechallenges, accordingtoareportby Mckinsey & Company, approximately55%ofthebusinessesgloballyintheyear 2020,hadtakenaleapinturningtheirproductsand servicesdigital,whichimproveditsproductdemandand efficiency.

Byseekingoperationalrewards,itwasbeingrealizedthat aligningArtificialIntelligencewithintheactivitiesofa manufacturingindustrycouldtargettripledimensions: Meetingthecompetitiveforcesamongstbusinesses, growingemployment,improvingproductionand eliminationofunhelpfulsourcesonwhichtheindustry reliedupon.

Balancingrisks

TheexistenceofUS-Chinatradecrisishadundeniably triggeredtheglobalresponsetotheexistingsupplychain andtrademeasuresamongstinvolvedcountries. Consequently,theglobaltradehadimproved,supplychain hasbeendiversified.Thiscouldupholdakeenimplication fortheprocessofglobalization.Whilethetradecrisis increasedby3.0%asperastudyconductedbyColumbia university,itencouragesthemanufacturingbusinessesto perceiveitasanewopportunitytowardsbalancingpotential riskscausedduetoimpactofUS-Chinatradecrisis.

Theimpactoftradecrisiscausedonothercountriescannot becomparedfromtheimpactonUSorChina.Hencethe waymanufacturingindustriesrespond,mustalsodiffer operationallyandfunctionally.However,whenthesupplydemandmechanismwasonrise,subsequentlytheglobal economywasdepleted.Thispoisedachallengeforthe manufacturingindustriesthatwaspressurizedononehand, meetingthesupplydemandtradecycleandonother,with thelow-costproductionmeasurestomeettheneedsoflocal customers,despitethechangesineconomy.

ImplementingAIandMLwithinthemanufacturing industriesmanagedcouldbalancetheserisksby identificationofsourcesthatareperceivedtoberiskyforits growth.Inthismanner,MachineLearning(ML)wasableto incorporateinnovatemanufacturingstrategiesthatfilledin thegapsandimprovedtheglobalsupplychainefficiently.

SeekinganAlternativetotheUnchangeable

Businessesandindustriesareleadingthegrowthof globalization,whichalignstheiroperationalstrategies towardsaglobalsupplychainanddiversificationofits products.TheemergenceofCOVID-19,althoughdisrupted thereliablesourcesoftheindustry,forinstance,the resignationofskilledworkersandshuttingdownduring lockdownsession,itwasstillanopportunitythatredirected thebusinesstowardstheimplementationofmeasuressuch asArtificialIntelligence(AI)andMachineLearning(ML).

Theindustryhadtakenanaction-after-reviewwhich prioritizedthemechanismsofAIandMLtokeepthe processesrunningandbuildresilience.

A2020casestudyon AI-Inspired Digital Transformation, demonstratedthatmanufacturingindustriesthroughtheAIenableddigitaltransformationswereabletoaddressesthree dimensionseffectively,whichweresustainability,resilience andmanufacturingaltogether.Consequently,its implementationledtoanenhancedconnectivity,visibility andtransparencywithinthesupplynetworks.Thefourth industrialrevolution,whichisconsideredtobeindustry4.0, assuggestedbya2021economicresearchon Significance

Of Digital Technology In Manufacturing Sectors henceis consideredtoberesilientandsmart,whichanalysesthe factorsofasituationandperformsdecisivewaytoattain thegoalsofsupplychaineffectively

EnhancedProductivity

TheAIandMLdrivenmanufacturingindustryhasbeen efficientinproducinganoutputdespitetheavailabilityof low-levelresourcesandcompetitiveglobalforces.Thecase studyfurtherpointedoutthatmeasuressuchasdigital twins,robotsandautomatedprocesses,evenif hypotheticallytheyleadtoahighoperatingcost,itwould stillbecompensatedbyotherdigitalprocessesthatlead aboutalow-costmeasure.Thesemayinvolvestay-at-home orderswheretheindustryoutputislowcostandefficiency ishigh.Similarly,intimesofcrisiswherecertain manufacturingtoolsarenolongeruseful,couldbereplaced postdesigningtoolsthatarebestsuitableinthe manufacturingprocess.Identificationofmaterialshortage andforecastingdemandshaveenabledthemanufacturing industriestoremainonestepaheadandseekacompetitive advantage,throughpredictivetoolsofArtificialIntelligence (AI)respectively.

PuttingitallTogether

Industry4.0isknownforitsuseofdigitalmeasuresandis undeniablyoneofthemostresilienceindustryin comparisontothetraditionalperiodofindustries.While therehasbeenanadvancementinthedigitalsupplychain throughtheadoptionofArtificialIntelligenceandMachine Learning,whichfunctionsmoreefficientlythanaskilled workercould,areportprovidedbytimein2020,pointed thatseveralbusinesseshavenoplanstostaffingbacktheir vacantpositionswithskilledworkers,afterhaving implementedtechnology Whereasotherindustrieshave reduced10%oftheirstaffbecauseofbudgetingneedsand lookforwardintoimprovingefficiencythroughAI implementation.Thefutureofbusinessescouldmakeit possibleforastoservethesupplychainandimprove globalizationinafasterwayusingAIandML,while coveringseveralindustrialsectors,beyondmanufacturing.

- Saloni Agarwal

Thebusinessworldhasbeenknownforits innovationandcreativityacrossages.Beit introducingtechnologyinmanufacturingsegment, transformingthedemandsupplychainbydigitizingits workflow;businessprocessoutsourcingcompaniesthat utilizeinternationaltalentsormanufacturersscoutsthe globewithscientificinventionswhilefacilitatinghigh consumerexperience.

But did you ever imagine stepping in the shoes of an entrepreneur and the hustles encountered to provide the best product or services while gushing its brand identity in the cutthroat competitive market?

Ifyouscoutaroundtheglobewiththeintenttofindthe solutiontothiscomplexquestion,youmightlandarounda

companythatistheperfectexampleofhowanentrepreneur shouldenvisionabusinessgrowthand,atthesametime, staytruetoitsethicalprinciples.

Basedin PortoFerreira,itisknownforitsagile developmentandcapacitybuildingacrossitskey stakeholderandhasbeenprovidingitsservicessince1981. Beingasafesheltertomorethan900employees,this Braziliancompanyhasbeenprovedtobethebestoptionin termsofitsbestproducts,excellentservices,andout-ofthe-boxbusinessapproach.Exemplifyingsuchstandout leadershipintheglassmanufacturingbusinessspaceis Vidroporto.

Itisoneofthebestglasspackagingcompaniesacrossthe internationalbusinessspaceandbelievesinestablishinga

Most Admired Glass Manufacturing Companies Across the Globe

deep-rootedrelationshipwithitssuppliers,consumers,and keymarketplayers.Toensurethebestservicestoits consumer,Vidroportohasbeenfocusingonwell-equipped technology,highlycompetitivepricing,andthebest customerrelationship.

Wavingsuchamagicwandintheglassmanufacturing spaceisEdsonLuisRossi AstheCEOofthecompany,he isalwaysinvolvedinimprovingtheproductionquality, facilitatingaseamlessconsumerexperiencewhileensuring competitivepricingwiththebestmarketingmantra available.

Let's slide into the interview and learn the key strategies that turned Vidroporto into a success story.

Pleasebriefouraudienceaboutyourcompany,itsUSPs, andhowitiscurrentlypositionedasoneofthemost reliablecompaniesintheglassmanufacturingspace.

VidroportoGroupisaBraziliancompanyactiveinthe sectorofglasspackaging,intendedforbeverages,mainly onbeer,cachaca,wine,spirits,RTDs,liqueurs,andother alcoholicmarkets.Thecompanystarteditsproductionin 1981with4thousandtonsofglassperyearandan

Edson Luis Rossi CEO Vidroporto S.A

insignificantmarketshare.Currently,thecompanyhasbeen producingaround300thousandtonsofglassperyear,and thiscapacitywillbeexpandedto150thousandtonsper year Thecompany'smarketshareisaround20%inBrazil, andwiththisexpansion,itmayreachalmost30%inthe nearfuture.

Thecompanyhas850employeesandwillhireanother300 verysoonforthenewfurnaceproject.

Shedsomelightonyourofferingsandhowtheyimpact theindustryandyourclients?

Thecompany'scultureisbasedonthedevelopmentofa longandstrongrelationshipwithitsstakeholders.Inorder tobuildthis,itisnecessarytobecompetitive,whichmeans, havingthehighesttechnologiesavailable,wellqualified labor,deepknowledgeaboutbusinessanddedicationto providealwaysthebestservicesinallareas.

Whatarethecorevaluesuponwhichyourcompanyis built?

Thecompany'scorevaluesuponwhichitisbasedarethe onesrelatedtothedeliveryofexcellentproductsand servicesatcompetitiveprices,employmentofskilledlabor, anduseofhightechnology,withsocialandenvironmental responsibility

Edson,pleasebriefusaboutyourselfjourneyandhow haveyoucontributedtothecompany'ssuccess.

IhavebeenworkingatVidroportosince2004,exactlythe momenttheshareholdersdecidedfortheboardofDirectors restructuring.

Sincethen,thecompanyhasbeenpassingthrougha transformationinallareaslikeManufacturing,Quality Assurance,ProductionTechnology,etc.Marketsharehas increased1500%,profitgenerationisverypositiveand

consequently,thevalueofthecompanyfollowedthe growthdirection.

Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononhow theadoptionofmoderntechnologieshasimpactedthe manufacturingindustryandhowisyourcompany ridingthetechnologywave?

Moderntechnologiesmaybefacedasamonsterorasbetter toolstohelpthecompanytosurviveinanewenvironment andachievethebestresultsever.Itdependsonthepointof view Thehightechnologyingeneralsimplifiessystems, improvestheproductandservicequalities,reducesthecost, increasestheproductivityandprofit,andpresentsmany otheradvantages.

Inmanysituations,enteringanewworld,newsystem, machine,etc.,maycausefear.However,thereisnoanother wayofreachingagoodresultandbeingcompetitive withoutmoderntechnologies.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothemanufacturingspace?

Ibelievethattobeanentrepreneur,thepersonneedsto developsomekeyfeatureslikenotbeingafraidofwhatis comingnorthechallengesthathavetobefaced,thinking andlookinginadifferentwayfromtheotherpeople,and tryingtodothebest,always.Inanutshell,"think out of the box."

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyourorganization's operationsandofferingsin2022andbeyond?

Weneedtokeepfocusonourbusinessandlookatall opportunitieswehaveinourhands.

Taketheopportunitytoimprovetheprocess,reducewaste, stayclosertotheclients,suppliers,banks,andemployees, alwaysworktogetherfornewsolutions.

- By Hans Meyer, Co-founder & Managing Director at Zoku

Amovementinourindustry.

boutadecadeago,Ibegannoticinganewkindof

Apartfromseeingtheusualtouristsandbusinesstravelers, Istartedtowitnesspeopleroamingfromcitytocityin searchofnewexperiencesandfasterWi-Fi,takingtheir workwiththemwherevertheywent.Thesewereearly remoteworkers,andfrommyfirstconversationswiththem, IknewIhadtounderstandwhattheyforeshadowedforthe futureofwork.

So,Iputmyselfintheirshoes.IvisitedBali,BuenosAires, andWashingtonD.C.,learningfirst-handwhatitwasliketo workandliveineachcityforanextendedperiodoftime.I embracedtheslowerpacethatremotework/traveloffered, immersedmyselfinlocalcultures,andinvestigatedthepain pointsthatwereinvolvedinmytravels.Inotherwords,I experiencedwhatitwasliketo“workfromanywhere.”

Iwassurprisedtofindthatthehardestpartoflivingthis lifestylewasn'tthelanguagebarrier,theneedtoadaptto newcultures,orbeingunfamiliarwithhowtobestnavigate anewcity,butratherthefeelingoflonelinessthatoccurred whenfinishingahardday'sworkalone.Thisdiscoveryled metocarefullyconsiderthehumanexperienceofremote work.TakingthisintoaccountwhenconceptualizingZoku, togetherwithmyco-founderMarcJongeriusandour foundingteam,werecognizedthatthenextgenerationof workerswouldbecomemoremobile,collaborateboth

virtuallyandin-person,andenjoygreaterflexibilityintheir work.Sowhenwefirstopenedourdoorsin2016,we incorporatedhybridsolutionstoproactivelyaccountforthis inourdesignandmodel.

Therewereofcourse,downsidestothisdiscovery We anticipatedthatfutureemployeeswouldbecomemore isolatedanddisconnectedfromtheirteamsthanever before.Sowe'reproudtosaythatourmissionatZokufeels morerelevantnowthanever:

“Toprovidespaceswherehumanconnectionisseamless, funandmeaningful.”

Fastforwardto2021,andmostofusworkremotelyforat leastsomeperiodoftime.And,whathavewenoticed?That manyofushaveexpressedthatwe'vegreatlymissedinpersonhumanconnectionsduringtheCOVID-19 pandemic.Thesameissueoflonelinessfromoveradecade agoisnowimpactingevenmorepeopleonaglobalscale.

Manycompanieshavebeenprofoundlydisruptedbythis suddentransitiontoremotework,whilebusinessleaders simultaneouslystruggletokeeppacewiththeirteams' evolvingdemandsandlearnhowtobestbalanceoffice versusremoteworkeffectively Theeventsofthepandemic havecalledintoquestionjustabouteveryassumptionthe worldpreviouslyheld,andtheseconsequenceswillimpact thewaywework,live,andconnectfordecadestocome. Whiletherearestillmanylessonstobelearned,twothings

Hans Meyer Co-founder & Managing Director Zoku

hadquicklybecomeapparentwhentheworldsuddenly switchedtoworkingremotely:

1. Productivitycanhappenanywhere.

2. Notallspacesareequallyproductive.

Whetherworkingfromhomemeansworkingataself-made homeofficeorattheedgeofaclutteredkitchentable, everybodyhasgainedanewperspectiveonhowtheir surroundingspaceimpactstheirproductivity.Morepeople reportfeelingmoreproductiveoverallandfewpeople missedthedrudgeryofthemorningcommute.

Thepandemichasalsohighlightedtheshortcomingsof remotework.Employeesreporthigherratesofburnout,that teamcohesionissuffering,andpeoplearefeelingmore alienatedanddisconnectedthaneverbefore.Despitethese downsides,however,ithasbecomeclearthatmanyworkers wouldsoonerchangejobsthanreturntotheofficefull-time, aswaspreviouslythenorm.Thequestionofworkspace locationhasbecomeakeytopicindiscussionsofthefuture ofwork.

Officesarebeingdownsized,repurposedorabandoned altogether.Strikingtherightbalanceofhybridworkisn't justamatterofmaximizingoperationalefficiency–it's criticaltosustainingpositivecompanycultureand attractingandretainingtheworld'stoptalenttoo.

Ascompanieslookahead,they'readaptinglessonsthey learnedfromremoteworkintoexistingpractices,with varyingdegreesofdifficulty.Eachcompanyhasitsown uniquerequirementstoconsider,but...

“Webelievethemostsuccessfulcompaniesduringthis transitionwillbethosethatdesignhowtheyoperate aroundhumanconnection.”

It'sfromclose,meaningfulrelationshipsthatwedrawour bestinspirationandmostinnovativework.

HereatZoku,ourpriorityistocontinuedeliveringonour missiontofacilitatehumanconnectionaswerolloutour conceptinternationally.Citybycity,weremaindedicatedto bringingpeopletogetherinspacesthatinspire understanding,fostercreativity,andbuildmoreproductive relationships.

InourlatestwhitePaper,“TheFutureofWorkNeeds HumanConnection”,I'mproudtoshareZoku's accumulatedresearchandlearningsaboutremoteand hybridwork,humanconnection,andthefutureof workspaces.Ihopeourinsightscanhelpcompanies discoverthebestwaytostrengthenconnectionsandcreate aneffectiveworkenvironmentfortheirteams.