NEWS: French glass leader Riou sets up Mauritius hub for Indian Ocean growth

The Riou Glass Group, a European leader in glass processing, has cemented its strategic expansion into the Indian Ocean region with the opening of its new venture, Riou Ocean Glass, in Mauritius. The 2023 launch marks a significant step for the Normandy-founded, family-run business, which already processes nearly 100,000 tonnes of glass annually across 23 European sites.

Riou Ocean Glass is positioned as a regional hub, exploiting Mauritius’s location at the crossroads of continents to serve a vast market. This area stretches from Réunion and Madagascar across Eastern and Southern Africa, the Middle East, and even Australia. The move builds on a 2010 acquisition in Réunion and aims to supply a broader, higher-quality range of processed products, including laminated, tempered, and high-security technical glass for construction and renovation professionals.

To meet what it sees as growing regional demand, the company has invested heavily in cutting-edge production technology, including the Glaston RC Series tempering furnace and a spacer bender. This decision underscores the group’s commitment to premium output, with founder and President Pierre Riou citing the need for “reliable, high-performance equipment” that meets ambitious growth and quality goals.

“I have known Glaston for over 40 years,” Riou explained, justifying the choice. “We chose Glaston again for its excellent value for money. These machines perfectly meet our requirements in terms of performance and reliability.” The RC Series’ advanced convection system and patented technology allow for consistently high-quality tempered glass with minimal effort, streamlining operations and ensuring reliable, round-the-clock output.

Beyond the machinery, the new facility is also a major investment in local expertise. It employs a dedicated team of 60 people, 95 per cent of whom are Mauritian, trained at Riou Glass’s French factories. This model positions Riou Ocean Glass not just as a factory, but as a bridge connecting European excellence with local talent to deliver innovative glass solutions across the region and fuel continued global expansion.

Why This Matters: This story highlights the critical role of high-tech machinery (like Glaston’s tempering line) in global supply chains and the strategic importance of emerging markets in the Indian Ocean. It signifies a major European player betting on local skill development and regional market integration for high-quality, processed architectural glass.