GGF marks special year for Saint-Gobain

With representation at over 20 Specialist Groups and Committees Saint-Gobain and its subsidiaries continue to contribute to the GGF’s collective technical expertise for the benefit of the industry.

Brian Baker, current GGF President, has worked with the Federation on behalf of Saint-Gobain companies since they joined the GGF. Most of Saint-Gobain’s input in this period has come from or through Brian. It was therefore fitting that on GGF Members’ Day, 1^st September 2015, Brian accepted a special GGF award to commemorate Saint-Gobain’s 350^th anniversary.   

On receiving the Award, Brian commented:

“It was a genuine privilege to accept this award to mark the 350^th birthday of Saint-Gobain. It is extra special to accept it as GGF President on an occasion such as Members Day. Though it was a pleasant surprise, it really shouldn’t have been when one considers all the work, time and effort shared between Saint-Gobain and the GGF to advance the industry.”

From the Federation’s perspective Saint-Gobain has played an important part in the development of the GGF technical information and expertise. Here’s a timeline of how the relationship has developed over almost 4 decades.

• January 1977: The Glass & Glazing Federation is founded by the change of name of the flat glass association (founded 1st march 1964) to the Glass and Glazing Federation and the incorporation of the Insulating Glass, Safety Glazing and Glass Benders Association thus amalgamating the representative bodies of the major parts of the industry at that time.

(The antecedents of the Flat Glass Association were the Plate Glass Association, the records for which go back to 1880’s. There is more evidence in the Minute Books held at GGF Head Office of the Glass & Glazing companies meeting for their common interests a century earlier in 1780)

• Early 1980s: Solaglas becomes one of the most famous names in the glass industry and is formed through the merger of two of the UK’s oldest glass merchants and processors, James Clark & Eaton and (Royal) Doulton Glass – Industries - businesses with a glass processing heritage dating back to 1855




• Early 1990s: Saint-Gobain acquires Solaglas and start building the relationship with the GGF - the industry’s leading trade body




• September 2008: The Saint-Gobain Group operating in the UK and internationally secures GGF Membership




• March 2012: Solaglas – one of the Europe’s largest processors, distributors, installers and repairers of glass and glass systems - rebrands to become Glassolutions UK 




• January 2014: Brian Baker Glassolutions Saint-Gobain becomes GGF President

Giles Willson, GGF Managing Director commented:

“It’s important for the GGF as the industry’s leading trade organisation to have large global players such as Saint-Gobain on board to help drive our strategy and activity.  Since the GGF was formed, we have grown stronger because of the quality of our Members. Saint-Gobain have made and continue to make an invaluable contribution, in particular on the development the GGF’s technical information that has served our Membership and the industry so well for the many years. I wish them all the best in this landmark year.”

Steve Rice, GGF Director of Technical Affairs added:

“I congratulate Saint-Gobain on their 350^th brand anniversary. It is especially pleasing for me to see their success and longevity in the industry because I have been involved with the company and Brian since they joined the GGF over 25 years ago. Technical publications such as the Glazing Manual and the Safety and Security Good Practice Guide would simply not have held the same authority had it not been for Saint-Gobain’s and Brian’s time, effort and expertise.”        

On presenting the GGF’s special award, Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive added:

“The GGF felt it was only appropriate to make this gesture as Saint-Gobain is the oldest brand in our industry and the company and its subsidiary companies have contributed so much to the GGF and the industry over many years. It is particularly fitting that Brian as President accepted the award as his work with the GGF on so many fronts has been and still is exemplary. On behalf of all connected to the GGF, my sincere congratulations to all at Saint-Gobain on their 350^th anniversary.”

Brian Baker, summed up:

“The relationship between Saint-Gobain and the GGF grows stronger every year and I am pleased the Federation has acknowledged our work, knowledge and strong relationship with this special award to celebrate 350 years of the Saint-Gobain brand. I have no doubt that both organisations will continue to work together for many years to come, not just for their mutual benefit but to improve standards, information and expertise across the entire glass and glazing industry.”