William Malcolm

Moser Expands Production Capacity

Moser glassworks started the operation of a second furnace. The world-famous glassworks shut it down in December 2019 due to the unfavorable market situation. After a year and a half, Moser, which specializes in luxury glass sets and lead-free glass piece products, has enough orders again to light another furnace. The last of the three furnaces could be put into operation, if the situation allows, within two years, Pavel Mencl, CEO of Moser, told ČTK.

“If the situation is both personal because it means having a glassmaker for another kiln, and economic is fine, then we expect to be ready in two years, we would also reconstruct the third kiln, which is 70 years old. We would achieve maximum capacity,” said Mencl. “We hired some workers and joined the parties because work is a team thing. And we are intensively looking for and training our new masters,” he added.

Last year, during the coronavirus pandemic, Moser had to lay off about a third of its employees, especially those with a chance to be reimbursed. A total of 136 people left and the number of employees dropped to 218.

The growth of orders has recently exceeded the capacity of one furnace twice, so the other was launched. On one furnace, the glassworks is able to produce about 300 pieces of glass products per day, depending on the complexity. The reconstructed furnace is newly equipped with pans measuring 65×90 cm. The highest temperature in the furnace during melting is 1480 ° C. The temperature is then reduced to about 1340 ° C at seven o’clock in the morning. Since then, smaller products, such as glasses and tumblers, have been produced. Production continues until 15:00, when the temperature drops to 1180 ° C. As the temperature decreases, the viscosity of the glass increases. At lower temperatures, glass no longer “flows” so much, and glassmakers can start producing larger works.

According to the co-owner of the Moser company, Kateřina Zapletalová, today’s ignition of the furnace is a symbolic breath, which gives a chance for further development and revival. This is also indicated by growing orders, both from the United States and, for example, from Taiwan and China or Russia. Moser is also seeking to expand its presence in the world, has opened a representative office in South Korea, and is about to enter the South African market.

An important part of the presentation, but also the business route, is the Moser visitor center in Karlovy Vary. After the coronavirus measures, he has once again occupied most of the inspection dates of the glassworks. It also strengthens e-shop sales, where Moser would like to achieve a 10 percent share of sales. The upcoming configurator will also help, which will allow customers not only to choose a specific piece but also to order a specific cut.

The company continues the tradition of the exclusive Moser manufactory, which was founded in 1857 in Karlovy Vary by the engraver and businessman Ludwig Moser. Today it is one of the leading Czech exporters. Moser is a member of the Comité Colbert community, which aims to maintain and develop the traditional handicraft production of luxury products.