36th Hotbels Glass Industry Seminar
The 36th Hotbels glass industry seminar was held in Lexington, USA on 18-19 April and featured several informative and well-received presentations by glass industry suppliers and glassmakers. Neil Simpson, Independent Consultant at Simpson Combustion and Energy, was selected as recipient of the 2023 Hotbels Business & Technology United (BTU) Award.
Organised jointly by Fosbel and Hotwork USA, Hotbels attracted representatives from multiple glass production facilities in addition to delegates from many different organisations that supply essential services and products to the glass industry.
A highlight of each Hotbels event is the presentation of the BTU Award, established in 2007 to give distinguished recognition to an individual or a group that has contributed significantly to the evolution of Hotbels and education in the glass industry. Upon receiving the 2023 award, Neil Simpson told Glass Worldwide: “I first presented at Hotbels in 2001 and to me, it is the best conference in the world. To be in the company of the other BTU recipients in this glass family is the best honour ever.”
“I couldn’t think of someone that is more deserving or someone who contributes his time and craft as much as Neil does. He is a motivated speaker and always a great supporter of Hotbels. People know the name Neil Simpson and for us to be able to recognise him is very special,” added Demetrius Rankin, Glass Industry Manager at Hotwork USA.
In addition to a joint presentation by Neil Simpson with Philippe Kerbois of AMETEK Land, Hotbels attendees had the opportunity to learn from an array of important speakers from CelSian, the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation, Exxergy, Glenn Hunter & Associates, HarbisonWalker International, O-I, RATH, RoMan, SSOE and Vitro. Proceedings were complemented by a ‘Waist or Throat: Advantages and Disadvantages’ discussion with expert panelists John Brown, Roberto Cabrera, Brian Naveken and Phil Ross.
Neil Simpson joins a distinguished group of previous BTU Award recipients, including:
- C Philip Ross, Glass Industry Consulting International (2007)
- Michael A Nelson, Corhart Refractories (2008)
- Dr Douglas H Davis, Toledo Engineering Co (2009)
- John T Brown, Corning Inc and GMIC (2010)
- Michele Blackburn, Saint-Gobain SEFPRO (2011)
- Kevin Lievre, Formerly Air Products (2012)
- Matthew Wheeler, RHI US Ltd (2013)
- The Verallia Group (2014)
- George Kopser, Hotwork-USA (2015)
- Roberto Cabrera, Vitro Vidrio Y Cristal (2016)
- David Boothe, Allstates Refractory Contractors (2017)
- HarbisonWalker International (2018)
- Brian Naveken, TECO (2019)
- Chuck Mace, Ardagh Group (2022)
Neil initially worked for Laidlaw Drew to develop oxy burners, including oxy oil, then BOC’s CGM development team in Ohio, US. He then joined Eclipse as Glass Industry Manager and then re-joined BOC in the UK with responsibility for Glass, Metals and Cement. Eight years ago, Neil established Simpson Combustion and Energy Ltd as an independent consultancy to work with the glass industry worldwide. In addition to being a consultant to AMETEK Land, Neil is a registered trainer for CelSian and, since the pandemic, he also delivers remote consulting and online training courses with attendees from around the globe.
With over 20 published patent applications, Neil is a Chartered Engineer, a member of the Energy Institute, and the Institute Refractory. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Glass Technology, and previously a Chairman of the Board of Fellows and the Melting Technical Committee.
A full review of Hotbels will follow in the July/August issue of Glass Worldwide.
