Our Suppliers: A Focus on Arc International
International glass pioneers Arc International continue to go from strength to strength, constantly changing the industry landscape with new designs and techniques to improve their products which are adored by consumers and professionals alike.
This month we take a long look at Arc and the new range of their products which we are constantly adding to at drinkstuff.com.
Arc International have a rich history, dating back to 1825 when the company was founded in northern France and owes its continued success to the Durrand family who acquired the company in 1916 and introduced several pioneering techniques including the mass-production of stemmed crystal glasses, opal and decorative glassware and the creation of super-tough Kwarx® glass. Arc International has grown to include several brands including bar and catering favourites Arcoroc and the world famous Pyrex brand and employs 11,841 people throughout the world across 6 continents.
Created in 1958; Arcoroc Professional is an arm of Arc International which specialises in durable designer products for the hospitality trade, not only for bars but also quality glassware and tableware for catering use too. Arcoroc produce a wide range include the super-tough Princesa Glassware, Granity Tumblers as well as our newly featured Malea glasses.
Arcoroc are also responsible for changing the design of the modern pint glass with the creation of the Ultimate Pint Glass , a uniquely-tempered smash-resistant glass which can withstand a large amount of force before breaking, and should it ever break it simply disintegrates into harmless chips like a car window would, reducing the opportunity for the glass to be used as a weapon.
A relatively new division of Arc International created in 1997, the Chef & Sommelier range specialises in high-end glassware, cutlery and crockery for the Hotel and Restaurant sector. The Chef and Sommelier range includes the popular Cabernet series of wine glasses, the newly featured Oenologue Expert range and the Open Up line of specialist wine and tasting glasses which are popular with Sommeliers across the world.
With an eye firmly on the future, Arc will continue to dominate the tableware and glassware industry for years to come as they continue to expand into growing markets. Look out for more ranges from Arc as we continue to add to our lines here at drinkstuff.com.
The Ultimate Pint Glass Launched
On June 8th drinkstuff.com was invited down to the headquarters of the Design Council in London for the unveiling of Arcoroc’s brand new revolutionary piece of glassware, The Ultimate Pint.
The Ultimate Pint is 5 times stronger than any standard annealed glass and represents the first innovation in glass strengthening techniques since Arc International’s development of the now classic Nonic pint glass 50 years ago.
The Ultimate Pint is the result of a commission by the UK Government to address the presence of glass related crimes in the UK as part of the Design Out Crime initiative. Each year in the UK there is an estimated 5,500 glassings, with 973,000 cases of alcohol related violence costing the NHS up to £2.7bn.
The Design Council and Design Bridge have worked closely with international glassware manufacturer, Arcoroc, to research the implications of creating a tougher pint glass. The Ultimate Pint has a far greater resistance to mechanical and thermal shock, which means it cannot be broken as easily as a normal pint glass to be used as a sharp weapon.
John Goodman, Market Expert at Arc International, stated “By combining both the design and the technology processes, we have created a glass profile that is safer and stronger for use in busy public environments. Whereas normal glass, when broken, either breaks in to large shards or the base of the glass remains intact thus creating a weapon that can be repeatedly used.”
Helene Klimsza, Drinkware Product Director at Arc International, added, “To actually break the glass it takes a lot of energy and in most cases people give up after the first or second attempt.”
No matter how strong a glass is made, each knock and bump will naturally reduce the lifespan of the structure, but The Ultimate Pint features a lifespan 10 to 15 times longer than other standard glassware. When The Ultimate Pint finally does break, it utilises Stress Fracture Management which promotes Reverse Breakage, ensuring the entire glass shatters into small, blunt fragments, leaving no sharp edges which could be potentially used as a weapon.
At the launch of this innovative piece of drinkware at the Design Council offices in Covent Garden, London, drinkstuff.com rubbed shoulders with members of the press, members of the metropolitan police department and publicans from across the UK, all of whom were treated to a presentation to launch the glass into the UK market, which included a hands-on afternoon with The Ultimate Pint and the chance to talk through all aspects with the creators of this new development in glassware.
drinkstuff.com is proud to be among the first UK retailers offering The Ultimate Pint glass, which offers a highly preferable alternative to the increase of polycarbonate tumblers which tests prove have been berated by regular pub goers.
Available in the usual CE marked and nucleated options, The Ultimate Pint heralds a new era in safer glassware manufacture which drinkstuff.com is proud to be a part of.
For more information, and to order your Ultimate Pint Glass, visit drinkstuff.com.
The Ultimate Pint Glass CE
The Ultimate Pint Glass CE Head Booster