American Glass Research achieves the Laboratory Acceptance Program

American Glass Research has recently achieved Laboratory Acceptance status from The Coca-Cola Company. This status, which is comparable to ISO certification, authorizes American Glass Research to conduct glass bottle tests for and submit data to the Coca-Cola’s North American Division’s Package Develop and Commercialization Department. To date, American Glass Research is the only independent glass-bottle testing laboratory in the world to receive this prestigious status. The Laboratory Acceptance status permits American Glass Research to perform laboratory testing for any of the Coca-Cola divisions. This allows American Glass Research to continue to provide testing services as it has frequently done in the past for Coca-Cola and to perform additional routine testing of Coca-Cola’s suppliers. Having an independent facility complete the bottle testing allows Coca-Cola to be assured that a quality product is being delivered to each customer. The development of the program began in mid 2001. Initially, a quality manual was developed to document the procedures used for training, testing, calibration, inventory control, laboratory maintenance, customer support, and performance measurement. At this point, an audit was performed by Coca-Cola to confirm the proper implementation of the quality program. Once the audit was complete, round-robin tests were performed both at American Glass Research and Coca-Cola testing laboratories to compare results. The favorable results from this testing and the approval of the quality program procedures completed the certification process. As an authorized laboratory, American Glass Research is able to help Coca-Cola ensure that their container suppliers meet the required specifications. They are also certified to do testing of new designs and packaging as well as provide additional backup testing for the Coca-Cola laboratories. According to Eddie Hollis of Coca-Cola North America, ensuring container quality helps promote the Coca-Cola image. During Hollis’ visit to American Glass Research to formally present the laboratory acceptance award, he stated, “The Coca-Cola Company exists to benefit and refresh everyone it touches.” The certification of American Glass Research is just one way in which Coca Cola aims to maintain this effort. American Glass Research has been providing testing, training and consulting services to the glass industry for more than 60 years. During this time, it has earned the reputation as a preeminent consultant to the glass industry. Major glass container and specialty ware manufacturers throughout the world continue to call upon American Glass Research to help them in their efforts to meet industry standards and produce products of the highest quality. American Glass Research is a subsidiary of Agr International, Inc. and is based in Butler, PA, USA.