Membership News

October 18, 2019

A very special day for RITEC

A very special day for RITEC

Thursday the 26th of September 2019, was a very special and memorable occasion for Stephen and Karen Byers as they took centre stage at GGF Members’ Day in Hilton Olympia, to receive an award from GGF President, John Agnew for their outstanding contribution to the glass and glazing industry.

As founders and owners of RITEC, Stephen and Karen’s story and their journey through the industry is the stuff of industry legend.

In 1981, Stephen (a chemist from Texas) and Karen (a Danish businesswoman) combined forces to investigate the potential for low-maintenance glass. They subsequently acquired rights to new technology for glass surface protection. Extensive research and improvements to the original formula followed, and the technology was branded ‘ClearShield’.
In 1987, the couple formed RITEC International Ltd and in the last three decades, the company has developed the market for glass surface protection in the flat glass industry, effectively leading the industry and gaining vast field experience to develop their high-quality technology.  –


RITEC’s ClearShield ‘non-stick’ glass has gained wide recognition and acceptance in the processing of glass as the industry and end-users of glass have become increasingly aware of the need to protect glass so that it keeps its promise of clarity, visibility and cleanliness over time.

Today, hundreds of glass processors and fabricators worldwide enjoy the benefits of RITEC’s multi-award winning products and wide range of applications including architectural, decorative, shower enclosure, marine, railway and residential glass.

Committed to product development and innovation, RITEC has not only built on its expertise for the protection of glass but also developed a fully integrated system for the renovation, protection and maintenance of glass. Their contribution to the industry is truly outstanding.

On receiving the GGF award, Stephen commented, “It’s a great honour and wonderful to be recognised by our peers for the work we’ve done for almost 40 years. The journey hasn’t always been smooth but our longevity and continuous development have been down to hard work and a deep-rooted belief in the quality of our products. We are continuing to develop and innovate, so the journey hasn’t ended yet. I’d like to thank all who have supported Karen and me over the years and also my thanks to the GGF. It’s a great organisation and one we’re proud to be Members of. Receiving the award on Members’ Day was very special and will live in our memories forever.”  

Latest News