by Ellen Giard

MILAN, ITALY-It is not that glass companies and suppliers do not exhibit at Vitrum, it is just that the show, currently taking place in Milan, Italy is by and large known as a machinery and equipment exhibition. Machinery manufacturers from around the world are taking part in Vitrum, and several are using the venue as an opportunity to introduce new machinery and equipment.

Bovone, for example, which is represented in the United States by Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Salem Distributing has been showing its new laminated line. Howard Hanes, president of Salem said the line has been very successful. He explained that one of the lines was installed recently at a nearby factory, so Bovone has been able to shuttle customers to the plant to see the line in action.

"That has been very effective," said Hanes.

In addition to the laminating line, Bovone is also exhibiting its edging and mitering machines for which it is already known. In the edging category, the company is also introducubf its E04 102, its smallest flat edging machine, which it is showing for the first time in Milan.

Hanes explained that the new edger is an attempt from Bovone, which is known as the "Cadillac" of the industry, to offer more cost-competitive products for companies that are more cost conscious.

And while the presence of U.S. Attendees has been small, Hanes said those customers from the states he has seen have most interested in the laminating line.

"Today was a good day," Hanes said on Thursday, "and we are aware of more customers who will be here later in the week."

Vitrododi, also represented by Salem in the United States, was showing a newly designed edger. Hanes explained that for machinery operators it can time-consuming and difficult when they need to check wheels, change wheels, etc. The new machine is designed so that when the operator turns the machine off, the wheel system automatically comes out. This keeps the operator from having to crawl under the equipment to adjust or work on the wheels. Luigi Dodi of Vitrododi said that people have been "astonished" to see the re-designed machine.

Vitrum 2005 concludes tomorrow.

Ellen Giard is the editor of USGlass magazine.