IPGR Organization
About us
Purpose of the association
The purpose of the association is to increase and maintain the competitiveness of glass in the packing industry by research and development programs, the commercialisation of R+D results as well as individual cooperation between the members of the association.
Name and seat of the association
International Partners in Glass Research (IPGR) e.V., Nerscheider Weg 170, 52076 Aachen, Germany.
The constitution of the association (IPGR) dates from November 18th, 2009
The organs of the association:
The organs are the executive committee and the general manager. The executive committee consists of all members of the association. It elects the chairman and decides in all questions of general policy and business. It appoints the general manager of the association, who is responsible for all research and development projects and administration.
Besides of the above mentioned two organs there is a technical committee and a furnace committee established. These committees meet frequently and take care of all R+D and development projects referring to their area of expertise.
Structure
Chairman
As of January 2020 Johann Reiter, CEO of Vetropack Group is chairman of IPGR.
The Vetropack Group, which has been headed by Johann Reiter as CEO since January 2018, is one of the leading packaging glass manufacturers for beverages and food in Europe. It has the most modern production plants and sales offices in Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Ukraine and Italy.
Before taking over the management of the group, Johann Reiter was responsible for the Switzerland / Austrian division of Vetropack (2010 - 2018). In addition to his great knowledge in glass production, he has in-depth experience in the international steel industry. He is also a founding member of the course „Packaging Technology“ at Vienna University of Applied Sciences.
Deputy Chairman
As of April 2016 Oliver Wiegand is deputy chairman of IPGR.
He is CEO of the Wiegand-Glas group and runs - together with Nikolaus Wiegand – the successful family-owned company in the 4th generation, relying on modern technologies and tradition at the same time.
After finishing his academic studies as an Diplom Ingenieur at the Technische Universität München, he completed his postgraduate studies as a Diplom Wirtschaftsingenieur in 1993 and entered Wiegand-Glas in 1996.
Mr. Wiegand was chairman of IPGR from 1998 to 2009.
Wiegand-Glas was part of IPGR from the very beginning and Oliver Wiegand pays tribute to the R&D work within IPGR followed by practical application in a vital, international research network.
General Manager
As of September 2009, Professor Christian Roos is general manager of IPGR.
1998 Mr. Roos joined the Research and Development of Schott in Germany in the field of surface technology and solid-state analysis of glasses and glass-ceramics. He received his PhD on improvements of the thermoshock-properties of glass-ceramics in co-operation with the Fraunhofer ISC in Würzburg, Germany. At Schott, he headed different research projects, amongst others on glass-ceramics and floated TFT-display glasses.
Since 2016 Mr. Roos is holding a professorship at RWTH Aachen University and is head of the chair for “materials and processes – glass and composites".
Project Manager R & D | Technical
Mrs. Swantje Thiele
studied Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at RWTH Aachen University. After finishing her studies, she did her PHD at Institute of Mineral Engineering (GHI). In 2016, she started her career at Verallia, where she was mainly working in Energy Management. She was responsible for energy purchase and related legal topics as well as energy optimization projects on furnaces and forehearth.
Since 2021 she is responsible for the Technical Committee of IPGR and all related R&D topics.
Office Management & Controlling
Mr. Jochen (John) Hall
completed an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk, studied business sciences and subsequently graduated from the Polytechnic University RWTH in Aachen with a Master of Business Administration.
During his professional life he passed through various positions in sales as Sales Director, Sales Manager or Business Development Manager in mechanical engineering. Main focus was Southeastasia with PR China, India, Japan etc.
Since September 2022 Mr. Hall is now responsible for business and financial issues.
Executive Committee (EC)
The Executive Committee consits of at least one decision maker from each member.
The Executive Committee usually meets once a year and decides upon IPGR roadmaps, legal issues, budgets and on continuation of projects based on recommendations of the Technical Committee and the Furnace Committee.
Technical Committee (TC)
Consists of technical experts from member companies.
The Technical Committee usually meets twice a year to discuss and coordinate all R&D projects with regard to their area of expertise.
Furnace Committee (FC)
Consists of technical experts from member companies.
The Furnace Committee usually meets twice a year to discuss and coordinate all R&D projects with regard to their area of experience.