Scott Thomsen, president of Guardian Industries Global Flat Glass Group, will engage the global glass technorati in an opening speech at Glass Performance Days Finland June 11-15 in Tampere. In addition, Guardian technologists and scientists will present a wide variety of technical papers and glass industry innovations.
Presentation Will Address “How Great Companies Renew and Refresh”
Thomsen, who oversees the worldwide operations of Guardian’s flat glass manufacturing, marketing, distribution and product development, will discuss the challenges facing the glass industry and propose solutions for reconstructionist strategic thinking to create new demand for glass.
Glass Performance Days, the world’s largest technology and innovation conference for the glass industry, occurs biannually in Finland. The 2013 event, with a theme of Glass Technology, Design and Sustainability, will focus on glass architecture and the environmental impact of buildings. It is being held at the Sorsapuistosali in the center of Tampere.
“One of the benefits of ongoing and rapid technological advances in glass is that companies have the opportunity to reinvent themselves,” Thomsen said. “Large or small, businesses in the glass industry are constantly bumping into, then breaking down, preconceptions of working with glass, from manufacturers to architects to the glaziers installing the final product. Being mindful of what the past has given us helps us embrace new technology as both savvy businesspeople and far-reaching, creative engineers.
“I’m looking forward to talking to, and talking with, the glass industry’s technical experts, architects, and others who can help shape how glass is used all over the world.”
Before being named president in 2011, Thomsen was group vice president of Guardian’s North American flat glass operations and chief technology officer for the company’s Science & Technology Center. Prior to joining Guardian in 1999, Thomsen was vice president of engineering and fabrication operations at Optical Imaging Systems Inc. He also held engineering, management and research and development positions at Honeywell Space and Aviation and GM-Hughes Electronics. Thomsen has authored over 40 publications and holds more than 60 patents in the areas of displays, sensors, coated glass and glass materials.
Guardian team members are also presenting during the conference, which includes 180 presentations and 20 workshops. Guardian’s Brent Boyce from the company’s Science & Technology Center (STC) will chair a technology session on advanced glass coatings that includes a joint presentation with Intermolecular, Inc. Marcus Frank from Guardian Europe will also present during this session. In addition, participants can review the latest glass innovations at the Glass Expo product exhibition.
