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The Vetrotech management team unites a diverse range of experienced, international and open-minded executives. They are instrumental in placing the strategic focus on customer service and profitable growth in order to successfully follow our mission: To protect life and property in modern architecture with innovative glass solutions.

RETO COMETTA
SEBASTIEN DA SILVA
KIRK RATZEL
PAUL GOUDEAU

CEO

RETO COMETTA 

My history with Vetrotech reaches back to 2002 when I joined as Plant Manager for the main production site in Bern. Over the following 14 years I was lucky enough to actively contribute to Vetrotech’s business development and geographic expansion as Technical Director, then Operations Director, as new sites were opened across Europe and South Asia. Then in 2017, I took the opportunity to lead the Saint-Gobain windows business unit as General Manager for five years.

Since my 20-year journey with Saint-Gobain began at Vetrotech, I’m very proud to have reunited with the company again in 2022 as its CEO.

Born and raised in Switzerland, I have a Master degree in chemical engineering and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration. I’m married and have three adult children. I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors and am passionate about sports, in particular triathlon.

CFO

SEBASTIEN DA SILVA

I’m a French citizen living in Switzerland, holding a Masters degree from ESC Reims business school.

My career started in 2008 in the glass bottle industry. I joined the Saint-Gobain group in 2011, where I was able to climb the ladder of the financial sector and discover various industries such as building materials and glazing for transportation. Then in 2018, I had the chance to join the Strategy department of Saint-Gobain as an assistant to the mergers and acquisitions and strategic development department.

Joining Vetrotech in 2021 is above all becoming part of a family of passionate people that share a unique know-how, strong values and dedication to our customers. As CFO, I am proud to accompany our teams in fulfilling our common mission: to make the world a safer place, and in so doing committing to carbon neutrality of our activities by 2050.

I am French, of Portuguese origin, and my background has led me to spend several years in England and Italy. I love spending time in nature and photographing landscapes. I have many passions, like guitar, DIY or cooking. At the moment, I dedicate my free time to my family. I am the proud father of three young children.

MARKETING & SALES DIRECTOR

KIRK RATZEL

My first experience with Vetrotech Saint-Gobain was as a customer. I am an architect by profession but have spent most of my professional career in the building products industry. I joined the company back in 1993, and was fortunate to work under the company founders who passed on to me their passion of developing and bringing to market fully transparent, fire-resistant safety glass.

What I like most about this business is that every day, together with our customers and partners, we contribute to a safer and more secure world.

I am a dual American-Swiss national but consider myself first and foremost a “citizen of the world”. Over the years, I have lived and worked in five different countries and have acquired much experience in international market development and sales. When I find some free time, I follow my other passion of riding and restoring classic motorcycles.

SALES DIRECTOR EUROPE

PAUL GOUDEAU

I am a French National with British roots, married to a wife of Chinese origin whom I met during my international business school years, and I am the happy father of 2 teenage girls. After obtaining my MBA, I began my professional career in the petrochemical sector in Thailand before joining the glass business of Saint-Gobain in September 2000. There, I have had various experiences: managed organizational projects in Italy, Spain & China, headed the Middle East & Asia export Area, directed the Sales & Marketing department of a newly opened float company in Egypt, before taking over the general management of the Japanese subsidiary. Between 2012 and 2018, I was the General Manager of Exprover, Saint-Gobain's glass exports business unit, then joined Vidrio Andino in Colombia as Managing Director in late 2018.

Heading today the European business of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain is a wonderful new step for me. I join a team of high caliber professionals alongside whom I wish to bring those soon 20 years’ experience with architectural projects and glass to live up to Vetrotech’s motto fully. We thrive advising and supporting every partner and stakeholder on bringing the proper glass solutions to safety design requirements whether burglar, attack or fire protection is concerned.

I have a great taste for architectural works but also natural landscapes that I love to photograph when travelling or mountain hiking with my camera. I love cooking for my family and friends, eating French cheese and tasting good wines as well! Passionate about Rugby, I have practiced it for 20 years. Lately I have discovered motorcycling, a new way to do one of my preferred activities: travelling the world & meeting new people.

More about us

Giesbrecht History 1884 - Junkergasse, Bern
HISTORY

WE ARE PIONEERS IN PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION AND HIGH SECURITY GLAZED SOLUTIONS. DISCOVER OUR 40 YEAR JOURNEY

About us - Vetrotech key visual
Values

LEARN WHO VETROTECH IS AND WHAT WE STAND FOR THROUGH OUR MANIFESTO, CULTURE AND MISSION

Sustainability Saint-Gobain
Sustainability

LET’S CREATE GREAT LIVING PLACES AND IMPROVE DAILY LIFE, WHILE PRESERVING THE FUTURE FOR ALL