The European Container Glass Federation, known as FEVE, has announced that Vitalino Torno will serve as the group’s President.

Torno has been Managing Director of O-I Europe at Owens-Illinois since January 20. Prior to this, he served as Vice President of Sales and Business Development for O-I Europe since 2004 and Vice President of O-I’s European country organization.

Torno was elected to his new role as President at a FEVE board of directors meeting. He will preside over the group’s responsibility to monitor the European container glass industry, which employs over 50,000 people in more than 160 plants producing glass packaging for perfumery, cosmetics, food and beverages and pharmacy customers. FEVE members have plants in 23 European Member States.

Torno, who has worked in the container glass industry for more than 25 years, commented, “I am eager to put my experiences in the industry at the service of FEVE members. I believe in a strong future of glass as the packaging material of reference. However, we need to challenge ourselves to ensure we meet our customers and consumers’ needs.

“Glass is made from nature, it is safe for health, it is infinitely recyclable, loved and trusted by people; these benefits are sometimes taken for granted, but actually they make our packaging solutions unique. As an industry association, it is our role to make those benefits more visible and valued”.

Torno will continue to work as Vice President of O-I’s European country organisation alongside his new role at FEVE.

The FEVE board of directors also elected Niall Wall, CEO Ardagh Group as Vice-President of FEVE.  Prior to joining Ardagh in 2007, Niall was CEO of a number of diverse businesses, the most recent being Sterile Technologies, which was successfully sold in 2006.

Wall commented, “Vitaliano is a glass industry veteran, he knows the industry very well. A great attribute for his new role as FEVE President.” He continued: “He is the right person to lead the Federation, and I am really happy to support him in this role to reshape FEVE and mould a new industry vision for the future”.