With over a hundred years of history, VOA-Verrerie d’Albi has perpetuated the great glassware tradition that settled in the Tarn since the 14th Century.
In 1895, after the closure of the Carmaux plant, glassmakers decided to create their own glass factory. With the support of Jean Jaurès and a great deal of private donation, a new factory was born in 1896. A truly unique history.
VOA-Verrerie d’Albi has a quadruple certification in the areas of quality, environment, food safety and working conditions.
To download certifications, go to MyVOA.fr
In Carmaux, a power struggle broke out between glasswork staff and the owner of the factory, Eugène Résseguier, who dismissed 2 union delegates. Strikers are supported by Jean Jaurès, a promising local Member of Parliament. Workers decide to create their own work facilities.
Creation of VOA Glass-making of Albi.
In January 1896, a factory with a distinguished history, the Verrerie Ouvrière d’Albi, emerges thanks to private donation from all over France. Glass-makers solidarity keeps the factory afloat.
Glass-blown and semi-automatic manufacture of bottles. In 1928 VOA diversifies into glass blowing and “estagnons”, a hard activity put in the hands of the capable old glass blowers. The factory will be mechanized in the 30s in Albi.
VOA becomes a production worker's cooperative. From that moment onwards, it will be owned by the actual glassmakers, with its general assembly as the center of power.
Construction of the factory on the current site. In the plain of Albi, in Saint-Juéry, 3 huge furnaces erect.
VOA becomes the fourth largest French glass manufacturer.
VOA becomes a public limited company. The worker’s cooperative comes to an end but the spirit of the public limited company remains the same today.
VOA is bought by the Group Saint-Gobain and joins the packaging hub. This hub will be renamed Verallia.
The Group Saint-Gobain sells Verallia to Apollo and BPI.
Modernization of the 2 furnaces.
After more than 2 years of studies and works and €46 million of investment, VOA’s production facilities are completely renovated. With this new equipment, VOA can count on extremely flexible and competitive manufacturing assets to serve its clients in France and elsewhere.
120 years of worker adventures assembled in the book "L'epopée des verriers d’Albi" written by Olivier Boudot and published in the edition Mémoires d’hommes, histoire d’entreprises.
You can find this historical novel for sale in bookstore or online.
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