About DUROBOR GROUP SA
1900
Construction of the actual building of Durobor
At the outset of the years 1900, the Wincqz family builds up the building actually occupied by Durobor. First of all a sugar reffinery (processed from sugar beets), it will then be occupied by a cable factory.

1928
« Compagnie Internationale de Gobeleterie Inébréchable »
Creation of the « Compagnie Internationale de Gobeleterie Inébréchable » on the Solvays mutual‘s and the American company « Libbey Glass Manufacturing Company »’s initiative that provides the technic of mechanical blowing and burn-off. That one offers the advantage to produce at a faster production rate than previously but most of all brings the concept of unchipped border, a première in Europe! The product range is enlarged and goes from beer glasses up to ashtrays but also feeding-bottles, vacuum flasks, …

1935
Dur-O-Bord
Strengthen by its success thanks to major technical innovations consisting on having a labrum on the edge of the glass, the « Compagnie Internationale de Gobeleterie Inébréchable » launches the brand Dur-O-Bor.

1957
The first mechanically produced stemmed glass
This year witnesses the first mechanically produced stemmed glass, the Napoli. This innovation also means a drastic price decreasing answering the increasing demand from the hotels and the food industry but also the consumers. This range is still today, one of the jewels of Durobor’s production.

1960
Dur-O-Bord becomes Durobor
Thanks to the golden age of the overseas investments in Europe, the American multinational Owens-Illinois acquires 99,3% of Durobor’s market shares. On this occasion, the head office is transferred from Brussels to Soignies.

1974
oil Crisis
Due to the Oil Crisis, the company has to focus on the production of tumblers, stemmed glasses and jars.

1975
Durobor’s bubble
Launching of the first mechanical tumbler machine with heavy bottom containing a bubble. Today, this heavy bottom with a bubble is Durobor’s main characteristic.

1980
Durobor oscarised
Durobor is the first prize-winner of the « Grand Oscar à l’Exportation Belge ».

1983
Durobor acquired by the Belgian holding SADETAM
Sadetam becomes majority shareholder of Durobor S.A.

1985
A record for Durobor
Durobor starts the construction of the tallest pyramid made of glasses. The record is validated by the Guiness Book. All in all, more than 11.400 glasses will be squeezed reaching a height of 5,18 meters.

1989
SADETAM becomes unique shareholder
Owens-Illinois is the object of a financial raid by KKR at Wall Street. SADETAM takes control of DUROBOR S.A. by buying back all the shares and becomes unique shareholder.

1993
Durobor recovers "The Ravenhead Glass Company"
With the recovery of the « Ravenhead Glass Company », Durobor gets a second production site and establishes itself on the English market. By the same way, its fifth commercial subsidiary is created following those in Germany, France, Netherland and Italy. Its production potential rises up from now at 180 million pieces. Durobor exports its production through more than 80 countries.

2001
Closing of "The Ravenhead Glass Company"
Closing of the English subsidiary, the « Ravenhead Glass Company ».

2004
A new start for the company
The company starts the production of glass containers and plays in this way a pioneer role. These are the first signs of the new role played by Durobor as innovatory and concept creative for hotels, food industry but also distribution like the B2B, up from now Durobor’s main target.

2005
A positive come-back
Creation of a new kind of visual packing for the whole collection. A new 8 color decoration machine is also inaugurated allowing the company to maintain itself in a leading position in the sector.

2010
World Fair in Shanghai
Participation to the world fair in Shanghai held from the 1st of May up to the 31st of October. More than 80 million visitors are moving to it in order to discover the contribution of more than 192 countries and 50 international organizations. Durobor has had the chance to be present in the Belgian pavilion both in the drinking space and culinary space.

2012
S.A. becomes Durobor Group S.A.
Recovery of Durobor by the consortium H2-Decover. The group diversifies itself with the arrival of Sadeco and GSI whom activity concerns the bottle decoration. It’s also this year that starts the construction of a new unique oven with a daily capacity of 105 tons.
Durobor is hiring 210 people for a weekly production of 1,25 million glasses from which 1 million decorated