O-I Glass Celebrates Contributions of Women in Innovation
O-I Glass has joined the World Intellectual Property Organization in recognising the vital role of innovators worldwide that create economic and social benefits through their ideas. April 26 marked World Intellectual Property Day with this year’s theme being “Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity”. O-I applauds the innovative spirit of its female inventors and all creators company wide.
In 1903, the Owens Bottle Machine Company was founded around Michael Owens’ patent for a bottle making machine, which is recognized for mechanically producing bottles at a rate of 240 per minute. This innovation set the foundation for becoming today’s O-I Glass, employing more than 24,000 employees and operating at 69 plants in 19 countries. Innovation is at the heart of O-I’s portfolio of more than 3,600 active patents that are transforming the packaging industry.
Last year, 19 O-I employees were granted US patents that advance the production, design, and overall sustainability of glass packaging. Among those granted patents were Jessica Bryant, Manufacturing Intelligence & Controls Squad Lead Research and Development (R&D), and Sutapa Bhaduri, Technology Strategist and Global Sustainability Lead, while three other female O-I employees filed US patent applications last year.
“Innovation is in our DNA at O-I, and we are harnessing the power of our innovators and creators to transform glass packaging and to shape a more sustainable world,” said Ludovic Valette, Vice President, Chief Technology Officer for O-I. “These innovators drive new technology such as our proprietary MAGMA glass-making approach which is set to revolutionize glass production.”
