Tracy, Batch & Furnace Manager

A look into the remarkable career path of an engineer at the heart of the glass-making know-how

« After 12 years in the glass industry, in 2013, I joined Verescence. An engineer, with a B.S. in mechanical engineering, at the US plant in Covington, Georgia, I’m in charge of the raw materials, the batching process and the melting process of the glass. With an advanced melting process and batch formulation, glass is the union of natural raw materials heated to incandescence in a high-technology furnace. I am, therefore, responsible for ensuring the quality and quantity of the materials (sand, soda ash, recycled internal cullet…) used in our glass composition meet our specifications and the correct amount is being delivered to the furnace, so that the melting process occurs: solid becomes liquid. A key position at Verescence that has surpassed my expectations.

The results of these operations depend on a subtle balance between our different ingredients. And it’s my job to supervise this process! A huge responsibility, for sure, and a daily challenge to obtain the correct viscosity, in particular. But what I enjoy, as an engineer, is not just “getting my hands dirty”, but also seeing the result of these delicate operations, right up to the finished bottle. It’s a highly technical process that results in a tangible object, and for me that’s a reward in itself each time. Seeing the whole process through my work is extremely gratifying.

Mixing the ingredients and maintaining the furnace at the right temperature to properly melt the glass are just some of the challenges we face on a daily basis in my job in order to meet the customer’s specifications, producing exactly what they are looking for. Customer satisfaction is what gives my job, highly technical as it is, meaning and makes me proud of the work accomplished! Mastering these incredible raw materials and managing our furnaces are both difficult and exciting. »