Europe >> Regional Overview

O-I became the largest glass packaging manufacturer in Europe with the purchase of BSN Glasspack in June 2004.  The new company had a turnover of 2.7 Billion USD in 2005.

O-I has operations in 11 European countries, including 39 plants and 78 furnaces, and specializes in glass packaging for food and beverages, such as beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks.

These plants are located in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.  They manufacture up to 5000 different glass package shapes and ship daily to more than 52 countries.  Most recently, to support customer demand, O-I has invested in Russia through a joint-venture with the OST group. 

Because customer proximity is important, O-I has set up a network of sales teams located close to European customers.  These teams understand local market conditions and provide customized packaging solutions to meet customer needs. 

O-I's  new European headquarters, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, support and direct these local organizations; establishes unified strategies and sets up up common metrics to monitor and share best practices with customers throughout the region. 

The headquarters staff also links to other regions where O-I is present, allowing local teams to benefit from the technology, quality assurance and innovation available from a global company.

Drawing from the collective expertise of all of its European operations, O-I is able to provide true, global packaging solutions.  Whether the need is a creative shape to promote a brand or a unique item for a special event, O-I can find the solution.  In fact, each year more than 1,500 new glass container and decorative designs are created in Europe, in addition to many one-of-a-kind shapes created by O-I Specialties.

To learn more about each market segment that O-I serves, see the market categories sections.