Four years ago, at the Glaston Performance Days (GPD) event in 2017, the Jorma Vitkala Award of Merit was created by Jean-Paul Hautekeer/Dow Europe GmbH and other glass industry leaders to recognize outstanding individual contributions to the glass industry. The second award, in 2019, was given to the best-known glass specialist and lecturer, James O’Callaghan. Every two years, this award will continue to be granted during each GPD to a new recipient who has been selected through an international nomination procedure.
[Glaston puts the new operating model into practice]
“While the highlighting and personification of the award is a very concrete and effective publicity step, we wish to underline that it is for the common good and progress of the glass industry that the award is instituted,” said Hautekeer. “Continued innovative progress and bold new solutions will keep the applications of glass at the forefront for designers, industries and research institutions, and provide us with effective competitiveness in the choices of materials and solutions for building, automotive and interior decorating. This award is our special tribute to leading contributors in the development of the glass industry.”
Winner to be announced during the GPD 2022
Nominations for contributors that made a significant impact on the development of the international glass industry are welcome from the public until January 10,2022 through a simple on-line submission process. A simple description of the nominee’s relevant merits and contributions is required. Click here for the nomination form for candidates.
A nomination committee composed by glass industry experts and international press will select the winner based on approved criteria by secret ballot after January 10, 2022. Jean-Paul Hautekeer, chairman of the committee, will count the votes. The recipient of the JVAM 2021 will be announced at the postponed Glaston Performance Days 2022.
A catalyst for new ideas
The challenge facing all players in our industry, is to develop the most technically creative and cost-effective methods for delivering innovative solutions from the drawing board via the patent office to the market place. GPD strives to continue to be a catalyst for new ideas, new technologies and new relationships.
[R+T postponed yet again due to pandemic situation]
This would not have been possible without the belief and financial help of our main supporters Glaston Corporation, as well as other major industrial sponsors, associations, exhibition organisers, international press and especially different chairpersons, who have been and continue still to be the lifeblood of GPD.
