TOLEDO, Ohio, September 1, 2026 — SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, announced that its glass industry experts will attend, exhibit, and present at the 87th Annual Glass Problems Conference and Symposium from September 14–17, 2026, at the Glass City Center in Toledo, Ohio. The conference is organized by the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council and Alfred University and endorsed by The American Ceramic Society.
A leader in the glass and manufacturing industries, SSOE is ranked the #2 Manufacturing Design Firm by Engineering News-Record. Its glass experience spans over six decades and five continents, working with glass manufacturers on every type of glass plant project including batch house, furnace, production line, packaging, utilities, and environmental projects. From container glass to specialty glass, fiberglass, and float glass, SSOE’s experienced staff apply their knowledge and familiarity to develop innovative solutions for their clients.
Throughout the conference At Booth #69, SSOE will showcase how its multidisciplinary teams support glass manufacturers across the full lifecycle of facility and process projects, from feasibility and front-end planning through detailed design, construction, commissioning, and operation. The firm will also host evening hospitality at Booth HB13, welcoming clients, partners, and industry professionals to the Glass City and the home of SSOE’s world headquarters.
SSOE’s Electrical Department Manager Michael Mitchell, PE presents alongside Senior Applications Engineer Stan Rutkowski of RoMan Manufacturing, Wednesday September 16, 2026 at 2:00– 2:30 p.m. Their session, “Adding Electrical Boost to a Furnace: From Concept to Operation,” will explore the practical considerations glass manufacturers face when increasing electrical usage in an existing furnace.
As glass manufacturers evaluate electrification as a way to increase production, improve efficiency, and respond to evolving energy and carbon considerations, electric boost offers a proven path forward. By delivering electrical energy directly through molten glass, electric boost can supplement traditional combustion systems and, in some cases, provide a significant share of a furnace’s total energy input with hybrid designs achieving an electric share of 60% to 80%.
While electric boost is established technology, successful implementation depends on disciplined engineering, early coordination, and execution across the entire facility. Mitchell and Rutkowski will take attendees beyond the technology itself to examine the engineering required to take an electric boost project from concept to operation. Their discussion will address the practical realities of implementation, including the business case, infrastructure planning, operational impacts, and safety considerations that can influence project success.
“Adding electric boost is much more than installing electrodes in a furnace,” said Mitchell. “The electrical, utility, mechanical, controls, and safety systems are all interconnected. Understanding those dependencies early allows manufacturers to make better-informed decisions to reduce risk, control costs, and establish a realistic path from feasibility through startup.”
About The Annual Glass Problems Conference and Symposium
This conference is the premier U.S. event in the glass manufacturing industry. It brings together decision-makers, managers, and engineers from glass manufacturing companies working in batch, development, energy, Research and Development (R&D), furnace technology, sourcing, logistics, sales, sustainability, and more to address real-world manufacturing issues and solutions.
For additional information on this event, please visit 2026 Glass Problems Conference – Glass Manufacturing Industry Council.