Hotwork and Fosbel hosted a successful technical collaboration known as the Hotbels Seminar, continuing the tradition started 40 years ago as the Hotwork Conference.
The Hotbels Seminar allows glassmakers to come together and share ideas and past experiences with each other while also learning about new advances in the industry.
Speakers are chosen carefully, attempting to include as many glassmarkers as possible, hoping to create informative and open discussions among attendees.
Of this year’s presentors Tom Graham, owner of Hotwork USA, said “This year was especially informative”.
David Boothe, President of Allstates Refractory Contractors, said: “This year’s conference was one of the best and most valuable from an information standpoint. The papers were interesting, informative and applicable to the current industry; its performance and welfare.”
He added: “[It is] one of the more prestigious, well attended - from a manufacturing standpoint - and interesting conferences in the world.”
A goal of Hotbels is to generate honest discussions and informative presentations of glass production and glass furnace issues and problems that currently face the industry. Hotbels consistently hosts between 100-120 attendees and was held in Lexington, KY, USA this year.
This year’s conference recognised last year’s Business & Technology United (BTU) award recipient Roberto Cabrera and the 2017 winner David Boothe.
“I am humbled and awed by the fact that my peers feel I am deserving of such a recognition. During my whole career, I have attempted to give back some of what the glass industry has given me.
"I have never considered myself one who was extraordinary or looking for the recognition for the work I have done or the efforts I have made to see that the industry is the best it can be,” Mr Boothe said.
