Seves: Glass Block Manufacturer
Seves glassblock is a business unit of The Seves Group, the world's leading manufacturer of glass and composite insulators for power transmission and distribution systems, and of glass blocks for architectural and interior design applications.
Seves glassblock owns 36% of the world's glass block production and distribution market. With nine different colours, a neutral line, and 200 different glass designs, Seves glassblock has a 40% share (in terms of value) of the world glass block market.
The collective traditions and in-depth expertise of the most prestigious brands in the international glass block segment: Vetroarredo, Solaris, Vitrablok, Vidromatone, and Sindoco, have been united together under Seves glassblock.
Today, Seves glassblock provides high-quality products, with superior technological contents and strict structural standards, while respecting both the environment and consumer.
Reasons Of Success
Seves glassblock's sucess is defined by one clear objective: to maximize the potential of glass blocks by transforming them from a marginal, traditional construction element into an artistic expression of light and space.
From the start, Seves glassblock aimed to change traditional production rules and ideas regarding glass blocks, which were previously considered "poor" building materials used only in cases of lack of light.
Seves introduced to the humble glass block highly advanced experience and technology thus enhancing its pureness, brilliance, transparency, and resistence, the single most beneficial components of the product. Then, it went one step further by adding an exclusive characteristic, once reserved only for the most sophisticated glasses: colour. An improved process of production rationalization modified and enlarged the entire product line with models and complementary modules to make customized solutions.
Finally, the incorporation of new research and development activities made way for new wall installation methods, new special mortars for laying and finishing, and the progressive reduction of the "gap" between glass blocks to just 2 mm.
The Glass Block with a Superior Aesthetic Profile
Thanks to the use of highly-selected raw materials, the introduction of cutting-edge machinery, ancient and experienced techniques of colouring, and the strict monitoring of systematic controls, Seves glassblock transformed the old "glass block" into a modern block of glass.
Giving birth to a new and refined architectural furnishing element for interior and exterior ambients in the home or city, which can be "customized" by request according to any project design.
Today, the glass block is considered a high-end product and an autonomous subject, rather than just providing a service, the glass block is capable of unique forms and aesthetic realizations that inspire creativity in all architects and interior designers.
Mission
Seves intends to confirm and extend its leadership in the technical glass field, reinforcing its commitment towards the respect and the enhancement of the People.
The People who buy the Seves products
Every effort is made to meet any and all expectations of the Customers, deserving the role of "the best possible partner", and building mutually beneficial, long-term relationships.
The People who work for Seves
Fostering their personal and professional growth and, in this way, satisfying their aspirations and encouraging team spirit.
The People who provide Seves with goods and services
The Suppliers are viewed as essential partners, in the knowledge that their contribution has been a component in the Company's success.
The People who invest in Seves
The key role played by the Shareholders is recognised and everyone within the Company is committed to reward their support with ongoing success.
People in the broadest sense, being committed to ensuring the health and safety of the workforce and protecting the environment, thereby safeguarding local Communities in the areas where Seves operates.
History
There is a long history behind one of the most ancient arts of the use of fire. The origins of Sediver date back to 1898. The first glass insulators were manufactured in 1929 by a specially incorporated company, Electro Verre.
In 1947, the application of the thermal toughening process to glass insulators resulted in a product offering exceptional performance, enabling the company to achieve international success.
Automated production lines were introduced ten years later, in 1957. This was followed in 1959 by the merger of Electro Verre and Charbonneux, which led to the creation of Sediver.
Having established itself in the French insulator market, the 1960s saw the company embark on its first international joint ventures. New products were launched during the 1970s, including a full range of composite insulators for power transmission lines and railway systems. Its Brazilian subsidiary, Electrovidro, was set up during this period.
The establishment of two joint ventures in China took place in 1993: Sediver Zigong, specialising in the assembly of glass insulators, and the Safam Zigong foundry, manufacturing malleable cast iron components.
In October 2002, Sediver was taken over by Vetroarredo, a company with a young-sounding name, but with an equally long and prestigious history. Vetroarredo's origins date back to 1928 when, on the initiative of Prince Pietro Ginori Conti, the Istituto Sperimentale per lo Studio e l'Applicazione dei Prodotti del Boro e del Silicio was established in Florence. This institute played a leading role in developing one of the most demanding production processes in terms of quality: optical glass.
In 1940, the Institute became part of Italy's most important state-owned industrial group, IRI, which was involved in the manufacturing of optical products for the military on behalf of the Navy, and took on the name S.a.i.v.o., specializing in glass tiles (mosaics), ceramic enamel and tableware
In 1990, Fidenza Vetraria, a long-established Italian producer of glass insulators, lighting glass and tableware, took the company private.
From the 1920s on, Fidenza Vetraria had also begun producing a form of glass brick, better known as 'glass blocks' or 'reinforced cemented glass'. And the glass blocks have been in 1991 at the basis of the Vetroarredo "entrepreneurial adventure".
With unreserved determination, the new company achieved constant growth through a series of acquisitions and ongoing innovation.
During the 1990s, Vetroarredo acquired the lighting glass business of Vetrerie Lodi, a company with a hundred-year long history, and the Czech company, Vitrablok, a specialist glass block manufacturer, steeped in the bohemian glassmaking tradition.
In order to broaden its coverage to others technical glass applications, in 2001 the company acquired the Italian firm, Dielve, a world-leading manufacturer of glass insulators for power transmission lines. This was the first step towards gaining leadership in this field too.
The acquisition of Sediver, the world's number one producer of glass and composite insulators, led to the birth of the Vetroarredo Sediver Group, the industry leader that subsequently took on the name of Seves.
